Imaging in Urolithiasis

Urol Clin North Am. 2025 Feb;52(1):51-59. doi: 10.1016/j.ucl.2024.07.007. Epub 2024 Aug 10.

Abstract

Urolithiasis has high incidence in industrialized countries (0.5% in Europe and North America). Its high incidence along with the severity of clinical symptoms makes nephrolithiasis an important consideration in patients with acute abdominal pain. Imaging has a pivotal role and non-contrast computed tomography scan is the gold standard examination in both the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with urolithiasis. Ultrasound and kidneys, ureters, and bladder radiography are also essential tools in the follow-up of this pathology given its high recurrence rates while MRI can be used in special patient populations such as pregnant women.

Keywords: Computed tomography; Dual-energy computed tomography; Kidney-ureter-bladder radiography; Magnetic resonance; Stone composition analysis; Urolithiasis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography
  • Urolithiasis* / diagnosis
  • Urolithiasis* / diagnostic imaging