Low Dose Computed Tomography in Diagnosis of Ureteric Calculus in Obese Patients

Authors

  • Mahesh Gautam Department of Radiology, Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3978-3770
  • Aziz Ullah Department of Radiology, Gautam Buddha Community Heart Hospital, Butwal, Nepal
  • Manish Raj Pathak Department of Radiology, Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v9i1.29464

Keywords:

Multidetector Computed Tomography, Obesity, Radiation, Urolithiasis

Abstract

Background: Standard dose computed tomography is standard imaging modality in diagnosis of urolithiasis. The introduction of low dose techniques results in decrease radiation dose without significant change in image quality. However, the image quality of low dose computed tomography is affected by skin fold thickness and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue. The aim of this study to evaluate stone location, size, and density using low dose computed tomography compared with standard dose computed tomography in obese population.

Material and Methods: This non-randomized non-inferiority trial includes 120 patient having BMI≥25kg/m2 with acute ureteric colic. The low dose and standard dose computed tomography were performed accordingly. Effective radiation doses were calculated from dose-length product obtained from scan report using conversion factor of 0.015. The images were reconstructed using iterative reconstruction algorithm. Effective dose, number and size of stone, Hounsfield Unit value of stone and image quality was assessed.

Results: Stones were located in 69 (57.5%) in right and 51 (42.5%) in left ureter. There was no statistical difference in mean diameter, number and density of stones in low dose as compared with standard dose. The radiation dose was significantly lower with low dose. (3.68 mSv) The delineation of the ureter, outline of the stones and image quality in low dose was overall sufficient for diagnosis. No images of low dose scan were subjectively rated as non-diagnostics.

Conclusion: Low dose computed tomography with iterative reconstruction technique is as effective as standard dose in diagnosis of ureteric stones in obese patients with lower effective radiation dose.

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Author Biography

Mahesh Gautam, Department of Radiology, Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal

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Published

2020-06-15

How to Cite

Gautam, M., Ullah, A., & Pathak, M. R. (2020). Low Dose Computed Tomography in Diagnosis of Ureteric Calculus in Obese Patients. Journal of Nobel Medical College, 9(1), 27–31. https://doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v9i1.29464

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Section

Original Articles