HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Abstract Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gottlieb, R. H. Articles by Messing, E. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Gottlieb, R. H. Articles by Messing, E. M.

CT in Detecting Urinary Tract Calculi: Influence on Patient Imaging and Clinical Outcomes¹

¹ From the Depts of Radiology (R.H.G., J.L.S., S.L.V., L.S., R.E., D.D., T.C.L., I.M.), Urology (E.N.E., J.V.J., E.M.M.), and Neurology (R.G.H.); Emergency Dept (F.L.Z.); and Clin Research Ctr (W.J.D.), Univ of Rochester Medical Ctr, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 648, Rochester, NY 14642; and Dept of Radiology, Hosp Univ of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (A.T.T.). Received Feb 13, 2002; revision requested Apr 5; revision received Apr 22; accepted May 29. Supported in part by Div of Research Resources-GCRC grant 5M01 RR-00044 and Medical Ctr Insurance of Vermont. Address correspondence to R.H.G. (e-mail: ronald_gottlieb@urmc.rochester.edu).

View larger version (14K): [in a new window]   Figure 1. Bar graph illustrates comparison of the use of imaging examinations and intravenous (IV) contrast material in 1997 and 1999. The increased use of CT caused an increase in total imaging examination use. The use of intravenous contrast material decreased in 1999 when IVU was, for the most part, replaced with unenhanced helical CT (UHCT) for the examination of patients suspected of having stones.

View larger version (16K): [in a new window]   Figure 2. Bar graph illustrates the age distribution of male and female patients who underwent unenhanced helical CT (UHCTs). The female patients who underwent unenhanced helical CT were significantly (P < .001) younger than the male patients who underwent this examination.

View larger version (13K): [in a new window]   Figure 3. Bar graph illustrates the 1997 and 1999 rates of admission following the initial emergency department (ED) visit, subsequent admissions within 30 days following the initial emergency department visit, and return visits to the emergency department within 30 days after the initial visit. There was no significant difference in these rates between the 2 years; this indicates that there was little change in the measured patient outcomes.

View larger version (21K): [in a new window]   Figure 4. Bar graph illustrates the time distribution of emergency department stays in 1997 and 1999. There was no significant change in the amount of time spent in the emergency department with the change to unenhanced helical CT as the predominant imaging procedure used to examine patients with suspected UTC.

View larger version (17K): [in a new window]   Figure 5. Bar graph illustrates the time distribution of lengths of stay in the hospital following the initial emergency department visit in 1997 and 1999. Neither the overall length of stay in the hospital nor the length of the short hospital stays (<2 days) changed significantly between the two years.