DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF ULTRASOUND IN DETECTING URETERIC CALCULI TAKING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY AS STANDARD

Abstract

Ureteric calculi are important and frequent emergency in medical practice, associated with severe pain due to presence of obstructed stone in ureter. Computed tomography of the kidneys, ureters and bladder (CT-KUB) is the gold standard for renal colic; however, ultrasound (US) can be used safely in place of CT-KUB. This study includes 170 patients selected by non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Detailed medical history of each patient was obtained, followed by clinical evaluation of patients. Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) of kidney ureter and bladder (KUB) of each patient was performed by consultant radiologist for identification of ureteric calculi. Out of 170 patients recruited, n=95 (56%) patients were male and n=75 (44%) were female. Ureteric calculi diagnosed in 107 (62.9%) patients on the basis of computed tomography (CT) and in 91 (53.5%) patients on the basis of ultrasound (US). Sensitivity (Sn), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy (DA) of ultrasound was 67.29%, 69.84%, 79.12%, 55.70% and 68.24%, respectively by taking computed tomography as gold standard. Ultrasound is sensitive, specific and economical in detection of ureteric calculi. The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in detection of ureteric calculi is acceptable and hence it may serve as an alternative in case of unavailability or contraindication to computed tomography.