AbstractBackground: Computed tomography (standard and low-dose CT [SDCT, LDCT] scan) has become the reference technique in medical imaging for urinary calculi, to diagnose, plan treatment, and explore differential diagnosis of renal colic.
Objective: This study was done to compare the low-dose non-enhanced CT scan with standard dose CT scan in the evaluation of urolithiasis.
Materials and Methods: Prospective Cross-sectional study on 60 patients undergoing both abdominal low-dose NCCT and standard-dose NCCT. Another optional low dose excretory phase of CT urography was also reserved for suspected patients who had hydronephrosis on NCCT or ureteral calculus on NCCT or whose symptoms could not be explained by finding on NCCT. The patients were scanned by PHILIPS Ingenuity core 64 slice CT scanner with Philips intellispace workstation and software using fixed tube current.
Results: The internal reliability was excellent (cronbach alfa=0.9). There was substantial agreement in both the protocols (Cohens kappa=0.69), even in detecting calculi <5mm (Cohens kappa=0.69). There is no effect of BMI in missing of calculin by LDCT. In LDCT scan the mean tube current was lower (135 mA) as compared to. standard dose CT scan( 259 mA) and mean dose < 3 SeV
Conclusion: When compared with standard CT, low dose NCCT KUB scans provide effective methods of identifying, evaluating urinary tract calculi and can provide more comprehensive information for management of urolithiasis in effective dose similar to or less than Intravenous pyelography.