Ultrasonography versus computed tomography for initial investigation of suspected nephrolithiasis

Abstract

Clinical questionIs ultrasonography a safe and practical alternative to computed tomography for the initial investigation of suspected nephrolithiasis? Article chosen Smith-Bindman R, Aubin C, Bailitz J, et al. Ultrasonography versus computed tomography for suspected nephrolithiasis. N Engl J Med 2014;371(12):1100-10. Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of ultrasonography as a first-line imaging investigation for patients with suspected nephrolithiasis.

Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound in Undergraduate Urology Education: A Prospective Control‐Intervention Study

“…Hydronephrosis detected by point‐of‐care US, an indirect sign of urinary tract obstruction, has been shown to be very effective at stratifying patients in terms of diagnoses and outcomes, particularly those at low or medium risk . Compared with computed tomography and consultative US, performing point‐of‐care US as the initial imaging modality in patients with suspected nephrolithiasis was associated with lower cumulative radiation exposure, while also providing no significant differences in complications, adverse events, pain scores, hospitalizations, and return emergency department visits …”