Does the protocol for suspected renal colic lead to unnecessary radiation exposure of young female patients?

Abstract

Unenhanced multidetector computed tomography (CT KUB) is now firmly established as the best imaging method in the evaluation of suspected acute renal colic, and is replacing intravenous urography at an increasing number of hospitals. The female patient presenting at the emergency department with suspected acute renal colic presents a particular diagnostic problem, as the positive rate for stone disease in female patients is considerably lower compared with male patients. The indiscriminate use of suspected renal colic protocol and CT KUB in all female patients with flank pain should be avoided.