Work

Diagnostic Imaging for Suspected Nephrolithiasis in United States Emergency Departments

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: CT and ultrasound (US) are primary imaging modalities for evaluating flank pain and suspected nephrolithiasis in emergency departments (EDs). Prior evidence suggests that initial US instead of CT reduces radiation exposure without serious clinical consequences. We investigated trends in imaging used for evaluating flank pain in United States EDs. METHODS: ED encounters for flank pain were identified in the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (2014-2022). National estimates were generated through multistage survey weighting. Multivariate logistic regression models controlling for demographic and visit characteristics were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and α = .01. RESULTS: = .005) were significantly associated with US-exclusive workup. CONCLUSIONS: CT remains the predominant imaging modality for flank pain evaluation and has increased in use since 2014, while US-exclusive evaluation remains limited to select settings and patient populations.

Source: Urology Practice

DOI: 10.1097/upj.0000000000000950

Authors: Harrison M. Drebin, Richard B. Berman, Adithya Balasubramanian, Srinath-Reddi Pingle, Ezra J. Margolin, Ojas Shah

Institutions: Columbia University, Weill Cornell Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Kidney Stones and Urolithiasis Treatments

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases