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MacNevin W, Chua M, Kraus MS, Keefe DT. Radiation exposure associated with computed tomography for pediatric urolithiasis evaluation: A scoping review of the literature. J Pediatr Urol 2024; 20:386-394. [PMID: 38521719 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2024.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Computed tomography (CT) imaging is used for assessment of pediatric urolithiasis in cases where ultrasound is inconclusive. The utility of CT imaging must be considered alongside the potential risks of radiation exposure in this patient population due to the increased risk of cancer development. The purpose of this review is to investigate the radiation exposure associated with standard-dose and low-dose computed tomography (CT) imaging for the assessment of pediatric urolithiasis. METHODS A scoping literature review over a 23 year period between 2000 and 2023 was conducted of all English-language studies reporting on the use of non-contrast CT imaging for assessment of pediatric urolithiasis. Patients that were specified as pediatric with age ≤20 years at time of intervention and undergoing standard-dose or low/ultra-low-dose CT were included. Low-dose and ultra-low-dose CT were defined as a radiation dose ≤3.0 mSv and ≤1.9 mSv, respectively. RESULTS A total of 8121 articles were identified and after screening, 6 articles representing 309 patients were included in this scoping review. Of the articles reviewed, standard non-contrast CT radiation doses for pediatric urolithiasis evaluation ranged from 2.9 to 5.5 mSv and low-dose CT radiation dose was reported to be 1.0-2.72 mSv. Only 2 studies directly evaluated low-dose CT imaging compared to standard-dose CT imaging for pediatric urolithiasis assessment. Radiation reduction approaches did not negatively impact urolithiasis detection or characterization in 2 studies reviewed. CONCLUSIONS CT radiation doses for suspected or known pediatric urolithiasis are underreported and vary greatly with underutilization of low-dose/ultra-dose protocols for pediatric urolithiasis especially in comparison to the adult population. Results from this scoping review support that low-dose CTprotocols for pediatric stone disease are feasible to reduce radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wyatt MacNevin
- Department of Urology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 2Y9, Canada
| | - Michael Chua
- Division of Urology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1E8, Canada
| | - Mareen Sarah Kraus
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3K 6R8, Canada
| | - Daniel T Keefe
- Department of Urology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 2Y9, Canada; Division of Pediatric Urology, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3K 6R8, Canada.
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Nabheerong P, Kengkla K, Saokaew S, Naravejsakul K. Diagnostic accuracy of Doppler twinkling artifact for identifying urolithiasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Ultrasound 2023; 26:321-331. [PMID: 36705851 PMCID: PMC10247947 DOI: 10.1007/s40477-022-00759-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to perform a comprehensive meta-analysis to assess the overall diagnostic value of Doppler twinkling for the diagnosis of urolithiasis. METHODS We systematically searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases from inception through May 31, 2021. Studies including patients with urolithiasis who underwent color flow Doppler sampling to highlight the twinkling artifact and computed tomography were included. Diagnostic test meta-analysis was performed with a bivariate model. We used summary receiver operating characteristic curves to summarize the overall diagnostic performance. The weighted sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio were calculated. RESULTS Sixteen studies involving 4572 patients were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The weighted sensitivity was 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72-0.94), specificity 0.92 (95% CI 0.75-0.98), positive likelihood ratio 11.3, negative likelihood ratio 0.2, and diagnostic odds ratio 75.5. CONCLUSION The Doppler twinkling artifact has good diagnostic value for the diagnosis of urolithiasis and should be used as a complementary tool in the diagnosis of urolithiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pennipat Nabheerong
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
| | - Kirati Kengkla
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
- UNIt of Excellence on Clinical Outcomes Research and IntegratioN (UNICORN), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
- Center of Health Outcomes Research and Therapeutic Safety (Cohorts), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
| | - Surasak Saokaew
- UNIt of Excellence on Clinical Outcomes Research and IntegratioN (UNICORN), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
- Center of Health Outcomes Research and Therapeutic Safety (Cohorts), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
- Division of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
| | - Krittin Naravejsakul
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery ,School of Medicine, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand.
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Taylor DZ, Smith GE, Wiener SV. Identification of Clinically Insignificant Renal Calculi on Sonography. Urology 2023; 176:55-62. [PMID: 37001825 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2023.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine factors predicting if a radiologists... report of a .. stone... on ultrasound (US) was not actually a clinically significant stone, based on subsequent computed tomogram (CT). US often overestimates stone size and various pathologic entities are also hyperechoic;.ßthus, a subsequent CT without a clinically significant stone may represent unnecessary radiation exposure. A decision-tree and nomogram were developed to predict when stones are unlikely on subsequent CT. METHODS Retrospective analysis of patients, of any age, receiving CT within 24.ßhours of a sonographic report documenting a single renal stone, during 2019...2020, in any phase of care, at one institution. Novel stone-likelihood-systems for US and CT (US-SLS, CT-SLS) were devised and validated to classify stones as clinically significant or insignificant, with CT as the gold standard. Binomial logistic regression predicting clinically significant stones was performed with sonographic and patient characteristics. RESULTS Eight hundred twenty patients had US followed by CT, 228 (27.8%) reported documented stones, 140 (17.1%) reported a single stone. Clinically significant stones were associated with larger stone size (P: .002), location (P: .002), hydronephrosis (P: .04), shadowing-artifact (P: .02) depth.ßto.ßstone (P: .008), and Body mass Index (BMI) (P: .01). US-SLS had higher sensitivity (95.4%) and negative-predictive-value (81.8%) compared to a multivariate model of significant variables. CONCLUSION US-SLS appears to exclude clinically irrelevant .. stones... better than established criteria including twinkle or shadow in this retrospective analysis. A diagnostic algorithm and nomogram are presented. US-SLS and the associated decision tree can assist providers in avoiding unnecessary radiation when clinically significant stones are unlikely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Z Taylor
- SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Medicine, Syracuse, NY.
| | - Garrett E Smith
- SUNY Upstate Medical University, Department of Urology, Syracuse, NY.
| | - Scott V Wiener
- SUNY Upstate Medical University, Department of Urology, Syracuse, NY.
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Smeulders N, Cho A, Alshaiban A, Read K, Fagan A, Easty M, Minhas K, Barnacle A, Hayes W, Bockenhauer D. Shockwaves and the Rolling Stones: An Overview of Pediatric Stone Disease. Kidney Int Rep 2022; 8:215-228. [PMID: 36815103 PMCID: PMC9939363 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2022.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Urinary stone disease is a common problem in adults, with an estimated 10% to 20% lifetime risk of developing a stone and an annual incidence of almost 1%. In contrast, in children, even though the incidence appears to be increasing, urinary tract stones are a rare problem, with an estimated incidence of approximately 5 to 36 per 100,000 children. Consequently, typical complications of rare diseases, such as delayed diagnosis, lack of awareness, and specialist knowledge, as well as difficulties accessing specific treatments also affect children with stone disease. Indeed, because stone disease is such a common problem in adults, frequently, it is adult practitioners who will first be asked to manage affected children. Yet, there are unique aspects to pediatric urolithiasis such that treatment practices common in adults cannot necessarily be transferred to children. Here, we review the epidemiology, etiology, presentation, investigation, and management of pediatric stone disease; we highlight those aspects that separate its management from that in adults and make a case for a specialized, multidisciplinary approach to pediatric stone disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naima Smeulders
- Great Ormond Street Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Alexander Cho
- Great Ormond Street Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Abdulelah Alshaiban
- Great Ormond Street Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Katharine Read
- Great Ormond Street Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Aisling Fagan
- Great Ormond Street Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Marina Easty
- Great Ormond Street Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Kishore Minhas
- Great Ormond Street Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Alex Barnacle
- Great Ormond Street Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Wesley Hayes
- Great Ormond Street Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Detlef Bockenhauer
- Great Ormond Street Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK,Department of Renal Medicine, University College London, London, UK,Correspondence: Detlef Bockenhauer, Department of Renal Medicine, University College London, London, UK.
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AlSaiady M, Alqatie A, Almushayqih M. Twinkle artifact in renal ultrasound, is it a solid point for the diagnosis of renal stone in children? J Ultrason 2021; 21:e282-e285. [PMID: 34970438 PMCID: PMC8678643 DOI: 10.15557/jou.2021.0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Twinkle artifact, also known as color Doppler comet-tail artifact, occurs behind very strong, granular, and irregular reflecting interfaces such as crystals, stones, or calcification. This is visualized as a random mixture of red and blue pixels in the high-frequency shift spectrum located deep to the interface. Study results have suggested that the sonographic twinkling artifact may aid in the detection of renal stones with a variety of reference standard imaging modalities, including abdominal radiography, excretory urography, gray-scale sonography, and CT. Material and methods: Our retrospective observational study included children who had undergone abdomen/renal ultrasound for kidneys stones in our radiology department between 2013 and 2019. Presence of the twinkle artifact, and stone numbers and sizes were documented. CT examinations done <3 months prior to or after US were retrospectively assessed to confirm the presence of kidney stones as a reference standard. Results: Thirty-three abdominal renal US scans of 33 patients (21 males, 12 females) fulfilled the entry criteria. The interval between the US and CT was <3 months for all patients. The median overall age of the patients was 4 years (IQR: 3.125, range: 1- 165 months), The median number of days between the US and CT was 13 (IQR: 26, range: 0-81 days). US detected 33 hyperechoic foci suspected to be stones; 26 were confirmed as true positive (i.e. showed the twinkle artifact and were seen in CT), 4 were false positive (showed the twinkle artifact but were not seen in CT), and 3 were false negative (did not show the twinkle artifact but were seen in CT). The overall median stone size was 2 mm in the right kidney, and 5 mm in the left kidney (IQR: 6,11 mm), respectively. Twinkle artifact sensitivity was found to be 89.7% (95% CI 39.574%-90%). The twinkle artifact was assessed in all true-positive stones, determining a relatively high PPV of 26/29 (86.7%) for the twinkle artifact. The twinkle artifact was not dependent on stone size. Specificity for the twinkle artifact could not be calculated due to a lack of true negatives. Conclusion: The twinkle artifact is a sensitive US tool for detecting pediatric kidney and ureter stones, but with a small risk of false positive findings.
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Puttmann K, Dajusta D, Rehfuss AW. Does twinkle artifact truly represent a kidney stone on renal ultrasound? J Pediatr Urol 2021; 17:475.e1-475.e6. [PMID: 33867287 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2021.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nephrolithiasis is detected on ultrasound by the presence of an echogenic focus, posterior acoustic shadowing and/or twinkle artifact (TA). TA has been shown to be highly predictive of nephrolithiasis in adults with renal colic and ureteral stones. We sought to evaluate if TA is reliable for diagnosing nephrolithiasis in the pediatric population. METHODS We reviewed renal ultrasound reports indicating presence or absence of TA associated with a single echogenic focus in the kidney or ureter. Exclusion criteria were age >18, multiple echogenic foci or medullary calcinosis, no follow-up, or TA located outside the kidney or ureter. Stone was confirmed either by CT within 3 months of color Doppler ultrasound, visualization on ureteroscopy, or patient report of passing the stone. RESULTS Five hundred and ninety-nine ultrasound reports were reviewed and 293 met inclusion criteria. Sixty-nine had diffuse twinkle without echogenic focus and 224 showed TA with single echogenic focus. 135 patients had confirmatory information available (Summary Table). Nephrolithiasis was diagnosed using TA and confirmed on confirmatory studies for 49 ultrasounds. The majority of confirmed stones were in the kidney (n = 40; 82%) and mean size of confirmed stones on ultrasound was 5 mm (range 1.5-10). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of TA for detecting nephrolithiasis were 83%, 78%, 74% and 86% respectively. CONCLUSIONS Compared to the adult literature, TA in children has lower sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value, but similar negative predictive value for diagnosing nephrolithiasis. This may be related to renal location and smaller stone size. The presence of TA should be weighed in the setting of other clinical and radiographic evidence of nephrolithiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Puttmann
- Department of Urology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43212, USA; Department of Urology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.
| | - Daniel Dajusta
- Department of Urology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Alexandra W Rehfuss
- Department of Urology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA; Division of Urology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
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