Is coronal CT imaging a more accurate method of measuring the size of urinary tract stones?

摘要

There are several options for the management of patients with urinary tract calculi. The clinician's choice between CONSERVATIVE THERAPY, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is informed by assessment of the size of the obstruction(s). Axial images of stones obtained by CT allow more precise estimation of length and width than the standard of plain abdominal X-ray. Could coronal CT reconstructions, incorporating measurement of craniocaudal dimensions, further enhance precision, thereby optimizing treatment outcomes?