Diagnostic Accuracy Of Ultrasound For The Diagnosis Of Ureteric Stone In Adults Taking Computed Tomography As Gold Standard

Abstract

Background: CT scan is considered as gold standard imaging modality for diagnosis nephrolithiasis but its utility is limited due to harmful radiation especially in children and pregnant females. Objective: To find the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for the diagnosis of ureteric stone in adults taking computed tomography as gold standard. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Radiology, Sharif Medical City Lahore. 197 patients of nephrolithiasis were selected using non-probability convenient sampling technique. Adult male and female patients of all ages fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Data was collected after the approval from research ethical committee, The University of Lahore. Ultrasonography and computed tomography of all patients were done and findings were noted. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS software version 25. Mean and SD were calculated for quantative variables. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for qualitative variables. Sensitivity and specificity was calculated for ultrasound. Results: Total of 197 patients were examined. Mean age of the patient was 50.3± 14 years with a range of 20 years to 60 years. The sensitivity of the ultrasound for the diagnosis of ureteric stone, at 85.19%, indicates that it correctly identifies the presence of the condition in 85.19% of individuals who actually have the condition. The specificity, however, is lower at 48.57%, suggesting that the test accurately identifies the absence of the condition in only 48.57% of individuals who do not have it. The overall accuracy of the ultrasound is 78.68%, meaning that it provides correct results (both true positives and true negatives). Conclusion: Ultrasound have high sensitivity and low specificity for the diagnosis of ureteral calculi and has several advantages including its availability, lower cost and no risk of radiation exposure as compared to CT. Ct should be reserved for that patient for whom ultrasonography is not able to give a diagnosis.