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Imaging of Patients with Renal Colic: A Paradigm Shift

  • Dual Energy CT (S Nicolaou and M Patlas, Section Editors)
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Abstract

Renal colic—which typically manifests as paroxysmal waves of intense flank pain often radiating to the groin—results from ureteral peristalsis during passage of, or obstruction by, renal calculi. It is commonly encountered in the emergency department (ED) in patients of all age groups. In fact, the incidence of renal colic continues to increase, and currently accounts for nearly 2 % of all adult visits to the ED in the United States. The initial steps in assessing such patients beyond a good history, physical examination, and urinalysis involve the utilization of imaging. In this review, we examine the current trends and controversies in the imaging of patients who present with renal colic. We also discuss the factors affecting the selection of imaging modalities, and highlight the emerging role of ultrasound as a safe and reliable option in patients with suspected urolithiasis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Emergency/Trauma Radiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Abdullah Alabousi & Michael N. Patlas

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Trauma & Emergency Radiology, University of Maryland Medical Center & R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, Baltimore, MD, USA

    David Dreizin

  3. Department of Radiology, Hamilton General Hospital, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Michael N. Patlas

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  1. Abdullah Alabousi
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  2. David Dreizin
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  3. Michael N. Patlas
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Correspondence to Michael N. Patlas.

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Alabousi, A., Dreizin, D. & Patlas, M.N. Imaging of Patients with Renal Colic: A Paradigm Shift. Curr Radiol Rep 4, 27 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40134-016-0156-x

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