REPOST: Ultrasound vs. CT for Kidney Stones

A new study suggests that ultrasound is a better option than CT scans in the initial diagnosis of kidney stones as the latter is more expensive and exposes patients to significant amounts of radiation. The study advocates change in standard practice, emphasizing that simpler, cheaper, no-radiation technology is just as good as sophisticated treatments. Read more on the article below:  

Image Source: nytimes.com

For the initial diagnosis of kidney stones, ultrasounds may be a better choice than CT scans, a new study has found. Both techniques may be effective, but CT scans are more expensive and deliver a large dose of radiation.

For the study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers randomly assigned 2,759 people presenting with symptoms of kidney stones in the emergency room to one of three groups: ultrasonography by the E.R. doctor, ultrasonography by a radiologist, or a CT scan.

There were no significant differences among the groups in serious adverse events, average pain score after seven days, return visits to the E.R., hospitalizations, or diagnostic accuracy. Some patients in the ultrasound group went on to have CT scans as well, but even among the majority who did not, there was no difference in outcomes.

The lead author, Dr. Rebecca Smith-Bindman, a professor of radiology and epidemiology at the University of California, San Francisco, said that there were some findings on ultrasound that might need a CT scan as a follow-up. But for the initial diagnosis, “this is a clinical area where we now do CT scans and can safely replace them with ultrasound. If patients know that it is a good option, they can ask for it. This is a good place for patients to become their own advocates.”

Dr. Paul Frymoyer is a recognized authority in nephrology and other healthcare matters. He has saved countless lives in Africa through his expertise and experience, and continues to deliver quality healthcare services to nephrology patients. Visit this Facebook page for more information about his practice.