Ultrasound and the diagnosis of renal and ureteral calculi.

We retrospectively compared ultrasound examination with plain film radiography of the abdomen (KUB) in the diagnosis of renal and ureteral calculi in 13 patients. Overall, ultrasound was more sensitive than KUB (84% versus 54%) in detecting calculi. However, KUB was superior for the diagnosis of ureteral stones. No calculi were detected by intravenous urography that were not first seen on either ultrasound or KUB. Our experience suggests that the combination of ultrasound and KUB is less invasive and more sensitive than intravenous urography for the diagnosis of calculi in patients with symptoms and signs suggestive of stone disease or who are at high risk for stone formation.