Background
The aim of this study is identify the reliability of kidney-ureter-bladder (KUB) radiography
as a triage tool in acute ureteral colic (AUC). Moreover, this article correlates between KUB
and non contrast computerized tomography (NCCT) in view of stone characteristics and
clinical outcomes.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study recruited patients who had proven ureteric stones on NCCT. A
double-blinded review of KUB and NCCT was performed to identify the following variables
in both tests: site, ureteric stone maximum diameter, and stone density. Correlation between
KUB radiography and NCCT has been performed. The intermethod reliability was used to
measure the degree to which test scores are consistent when the methods or instruments
employed vary.
Results
One hundred fifty-one patients were included, of whom 75 (50%) had negative KUB and
positive NCCT results for ureteric stones based on the double-blinded review. Lower ureteral
calculi were found to be the most common location in both KUB and NCCT images (n=49;
65%, n=81; 54%, respectively). The median stone diameters of KUB and NCCT were 5 mm
(3-8) and 6 mm (4-9), respectively. Hounsfield unit densities of more than 630 were found in
86 (57%) patients, and radiopaque stones were found in 76 (50%) patients. There was
moderate and significant concordance (Cohen’s kappa= 0.520) between NCCT and KUB
regarding stone location (p< 0.01). There was a strong concordance (Cohen’s kappa= 0.804)
between NCCT and KUB in detecting ureteric stone maximum diameter (p< 0.01). Stone
density was weakly correlated between KUB and NCCT (Cohen’s kappa= 0.254) (p= 0.001).
45% (n=34) of negative KUB results required surgical intervention (SI). Sepsis (n=5; 15%)
and acute kidney injury (n=23; 68%) were the main indications for SI in negative KUB and
positive NCCT ureteric stones.
Conclusion
KUB radiography should not be used as a triage tool in AUC due to potential harmful
outcomes. However, KUB radiography can be reliably used during follow-up, as there is a
strong correlation between KUB radiography and NCCT for KUB-detectable ureteric stones.
Keywords: KUB radiography, noncontrast CT scan, ureteric stone, ureteroscopy, acute
ureteral colic

عنوان المؤتمر

7th ACELAS INTERNATIONAL MEETING

دولة المؤتمر

الجزائر

تاريخ المؤتمر

21 سبتمبر، 2023 - 23 سبتمبر، 2023

راعي المؤتمر

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معلومات إضافية

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