AbstractBackground: The urolithiasis is a common public health problem in Iraq with high recurrence rate. The computerized tomography (CT) scan is highly valuable in diagnosis of urolithiasis. Aim of study: To evaluate the validity of low dose CT scan in alternative diagnosis for patients with urolithiasis.
Patients and methods: A cross sectional study carried out in the Computerized Tomography unit of Radiology department in Al-Shaheed Ghazi Teaching Hospital at Medical Complex in Baghdad city- Iraq through the period of one year from 1st of March, 2022 to 28th of February, 2023 on sample of 75 patients with urolithiasis. The selected patients were referred by Urologists to Computerized Tomography unit of Radiology department in Al-Shaheed Ghazi Teaching Hospital for suspicion of urolithiasis.
Results: No significant differences were observed between standard protocol and low CT-scan protocol regarding KVP, renal length, renal width, parenchymal thickness, number of stones, diameter of stones, findings and site of stones. Mean mAS of standard CT-scan protocol was significantly higher than mean mAS of low CT-scan protocol (p<0.001). Mean fat density of standard CT-scan protocol was significantly lower than mean fat density of low CT-scan protocol (p=0.03). There was a significant association between detection of inguinal hernia and use of low CT-scan protocol, while standard CT-scan protocol detected simple renal cyst and inguinal hernia (p=0.04).
Conclusions: Low dose computerized tomography scan protocol is effective and safe method in diagnosis of urolithiasis.
