Distal ureteral calculi: detection with vaginal US.

PURPOSE

To describe the use of vaginal ultrasonography to identify distal ureteral calculi and hydroureter.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Abdominal and vaginal sonography were performed in 13 women with distal ureteral calculi. Indications for sonography included flank pain, hematuria, and suspected appendicitis. Six patients were pregnant.

RESULTS

In each patient, vaginal sonograms demonstrated a distal ureteral calculus; in only two cases was the calculus detected with transabdominal sonography. Distal hydroureter was identified with vaginal scanning in each patient but with abdominal scanning in only two. Hydronephrosis was absent in three patients, mild in six, and moderate in four. Symmetric ureteral jets were noted at transabdominal sonography in two of nine patients. Follow-up transvaginal scans obtained shortly after passage of stones in two patients revealed swelling of the trigone but normal ureteral jets.

CONCLUSION

In symptomatic female patients, use of vaginal sonography should be considered to evaluate the distal ureter for calculi, particularly if the results of transabdominal examination are normal or inconclusive.