Predicting kidney stone composition

Q: Which of the following modalities is best for determining stone composition in nephrolithiasis?

A) Noncontrast CT 

B) Low-radiation-dose CT 

C) Dual-energy CT 

D) MRI

E) Ultrasound

Answer: C

Dual-energy CT (DECT) uses scanners that emit two separate radiograph energy sets to differentiate matter's attenuation properties and better characterize stone composition. Many centers in the USA now use DECT routinely to determine kidney stone composition. Adding a deep-learning method to generate DECT images from single-energy images provides more precise diagnosis of kidney stone composition.

Another method not included in the options above is "machine Learning algorithms of endoscopic video images" during ureteroscopic or percutaneous stone removal, which may accurately determine stone composition.

#urology

#radiology

#nephrology

References:

1. Matlaga BR, Kawamoto S, Fishman E. Dual source computed tomography: a novel technique to determine stone composition. Urology 2008; 72:1164.

2. Zhu G, Li C, Guo Y, et al. Predicting stone composition via machine-learning models trained on intra-operative endoscopic digital images. BMC Urol 2024; 24:5.