Distal ureteral calculi: diagnosis by transrectal sonography.

Eight patients were studied by both transrectal sonography and excretory urography for the presence of distal ureteral calculi. The sonographic diagnosis was correct in 5 of 5 true positives and 3 of 3 true negatives. Urography was correct in 4 of 5 true positives and 2 of 3 true negatives. None of the sonograms and two of the urograms were considered equivocal. Transrectal sonography appears to be a useful adjunct for the diagnosis of distal ureteral calculi when excretory urography is equivocal or contraindicated.