Is the KUB radiograph redundant for investigating acute ureteric colic in the non-contrast enhanced computed tomography era?
AIM: To establish whether non-contrast enhanced computed tomography (NCCT) renders the kidneys-ureters-bladder (KUB) radiograph redundant as the initial imaging investigation for suspected acute ureteric colic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The imaging investigations for 120 patients consecutively admitted to an emergency department-led clinical decisions unit (CDU) with suspected acute ureteric colic were retrospectively reviewed. A multidisciplinary meeting reviewed the findings and recommended that KUB radiographs should not be routinely performed prior to NCCT. Prospective assessment of 116 consecutive patients admitted over a comparable period was then undertaken. RESULTS: In the retrospective group, 61 (50.8%) patients had calculi to account for symptoms (positive NCCT) and 59 (49.2%) patients did not have stone disease (negative NCCT). Ninety (75%) patients had a KUB radiograph prior to NCCT. However, in 46 (38% of total) of these patients the NCCT was negative for stones, and therefor
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