Mc Laughlin P D, Crush L, Maher M M, O'Connor O J
Department of Radiology, Cork University Hospital and University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Adv Urol. 2012;2012:606754. doi: 10.1155/2012/606754. Epub 2012 Aug 16.
Objective. To critically evaluate the current literature in an effort to establish the current role of radiologic imaging, advances in computed tomography (CT) and standard film radiography in the diagnosis, and characterization of urinary tract calculi. Conclusion. CT has a valuable role when utilized prudently during surveillance of patients following endourological therapy. In this paper, we outline the basic principles relating to the effects of exposure to ionizing radiation as a result of CT scanning. We discuss the current developments in low-dose CT technology, which have resulted in significant reductions in CT radiation doses (to approximately one-third of what they were a decade ago) while preserving image quality. Finally, we will discuss an important recent development now commercially available on the latest generation of CT scanners, namely, dual energy imaging, which is showing promise in urinary tract imaging as a means of characterizing the composition of urinary tract calculi.
目的。批判性地评估当前文献，以确定放射成像、计算机断层扫描（CT）进展及标准胶片放射摄影在尿路结石诊断和特征描述方面的当前作用。结论。在对接受腔内泌尿外科治疗的患者进行监测时谨慎使用CT，其具有重要作用。在本文中，我们概述了与CT扫描导致的电离辐射暴露影响相关的基本原理。我们讨论了低剂量CT技术的当前进展，这些进展已使CT辐射剂量大幅降低（降至约十年前的三分之一），同时保持了图像质量。最后，我们将讨论最新一代CT扫描仪目前已商业化的一项重要最新进展，即双能量成像，它在尿路成像中作为一种描述尿路结石成分的手段显示出前景。
