Harvesting the SV with the NT technique conferred, at a mean time of 16 years, a significantly higher patency than the conventional technique that was still comparable to that of the LITA.

ObjectivesTo determine how to most accurately predict the chance of spontaneous passage of a ureteral stone using information in the diagnostic non-enhanced computed tomography (NECT) and to create predictive models with smaller stone size intervals than previously possible.MethodsRetrospectively 392 consecutive patients with ureteric stone on NECT were included. Three radiologists independently measured the stone size. Stone location, side, hydronephrosis, CRP, medical expulsion therapy (MET) and all follow-up radiology until stone expulsion or 26 weeks were recorded. Logistic regressions were performed with spontaneous stone passage in 4 weeks and 20 weeks as the dependent variable.ResultsThe spontaneous passage rate in 20 weeks was 312 out of 392 stones, 98% in 0–2 mm, 98% in 3 mm, 81% in 4 mm, 65% in 5 mm, 33% in 6 mm and 9% in ≥6.5 mm wide stones.The stone size and location predicted spontaneous ureteric stone passage. The side and the grade of hydronephrosis only predicted stone passage in specific subgroups.ConclusionSpontaneous passage of a ureteral stone can be predicted with high accuracy with the information available in the NECT. We present a prediction method based on stone size and location.Key Points• Non-enhanced computed tomography can predict the outcome of ureteral stones.• Stone size and location are the most important predictors of spontaneous passage.• Prediction models based on stone width or length and stone location are introduced.• The observed passage rates for stone size in mm-intervals are reported.• Clinicians can make better decisions about treatment.

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Qualitative evaluation of the usefulness of several MAR techniques from different vendors in CT imaging of hip prosthesis.

Computed tomography (CT) is the method of choice for diagnosing ureteral stones - kidney stones that obstruct the ureter. The purpose of this study is to develop a computer aided detection (CAD) algorithm for identifying a ureteral stone in thin slice CT volumes. The challenge in CAD for urinary stones lies in the similarity in shape and intensity of stones with non-stone structures and how to efficiently deal with large high-resolution CT volumes. We address these challenges by using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) that works directly on the high resolution CT volumes. The method is evaluated on a large data base of 465 clinically acquired high-resolution CT volumes of the urinary tract with labeling of ureteral stones performed by a radiologist. The best model using 2.5D input data and anatomical information achieved a sensitivity of 100% and an average of 2.68 false-positives per patient on a test set of 88 scans.

Low dose lumbar spine CT at about 1 mSv has superior image quality to lumbar spine radiography with more anatomical and diagnostic information.

The size of kidney stones is usually estimated manually by the radiologist. An algorithm for computer-aided size estimation is introduced. The variability between readers can be reduced. A reduced variability can give better information for treatment decisions.

Our results indicate a need for the standardisation of making measurements on CT images.