Comparison of kidney densities of cases with urinary dilatation in unenhanced CT scan

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of renal parenchymal density differences in distinguishing between acute and chronic urinary dilatations. Material and methods Retrospectively, unenhanced CTs of 98 patients were evaluated. Thirty-three had acute urinary obstruction, and 33 had chronic urinary obstruction. Parenchymal density values (HU) and renal pelvic anterior-posterior (AP) diameters of all groups were evaluated by two different radiologists who were unaware of each other and the content of the study. The t -test was used to compare parenchymal densities and renal pelvic diameter differences with normal, acute urinary dilation and chronic urinary dilation groups. Results Of the 98 cases who were included in the study, 33 people were in the acute obstruction group (7 females, 26 males), and 33 were in the chronic obstruction group. However, the second observer (observer 2) found a statistically significant difference ( p < 0.01) during the measurements of density between the obstructed and normal sides. While for the first observer (observer 1), the correlation between right and left renal density measurements of the normal cases was moderate at 0.576; correlation of measurements done by the second observer was found to be high at 0.777. Conclusions Pale kidney findings seems to be helpful in diagnosis of acute urinary occlusion, but different results are obtained with evaluations made by different observers. Moreover, it is not a specific finding because oedema can also be seen in some other conditions, such as acute pyelonephritis; for this reason, one must be careful during the evaluation of this finding.

Realistic Kidney Tissue Surrogates for Multienergy Computed Tomography—Feasibility and Estimation of Energy-Dependent Attenuation Thresholds for Renal Lesion Enhancement in Low-kV and Virtual Monoenergetic Imaging

“…Mean CT attenuation and standard deviation was 30.9 ± 3.6 HU (minimum, 21.5 HU; maximum, 39.3 HU) for scanner A and 28.4 ± 3.3 HU (minimum, 19.9 HU; maximum, 35.6 HU) for scanner B. These values were comparable to the literature 23 . Based on these results, the CT attenuation of unenhanced renal parenchyma at 120 kVp was defined as 30 HU.…”

“…These values were comparable to the literature. 23 Based on these results, the CT attenuation of unenhanced renal parenchyma at 120 kVp was defined as 30 HU.…”

Radiological investigations in nephrolithiasis and: a narrative review

“…Parenchymal density is measured in the upper, middle, and lower segments of each obstructed kidney. A 5 HU or more density difference is an important secondary sign to predict the obstructed urinary system [22].…”

“…CT-KUB has been identified as a gold-stranded test to differentiate renal calculi from various differential diagnoses. Up to one-third of patients with acute flank pain, initially suspected of having ureteric calculi, may have alternative diagnoses that significantly impact patient management [22,23]. These alternative diagnoses include gynaecological conditions (ectopic pregnancy, haemorrhagic ovarian cysts), gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary conditions (acute appendicitis, diverticulitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis), and vascular conditions (ruptured aneurysms) [23].…”