Abstract
Objectives : To evaluate the difference of the stone densities determined by standard computed tomography (SDCT) and low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) among patients with urolithiasis.
Methods : We investigated 28 subjects who underwent SDCT and LDCT for urolithiasis with calculi sized 6 mm or greater. In each case, SDCT was performed at the initial examination followed by LDCT during the follow-up period, during which the stone density in the central part of each calculus and the effective dose (ED) required for examination were measured.
Results : There was no significant difference for the average stone density between SDCT and LDCT. Among patients with stone density >900 HU, the stone density upon LDCT was significantly lower (P = 0.023). The mean EDs were 6.6 mSv with SDCT and 1.6 mSv with LDCT ( P<0.001).
Conclusion : Among patients with high stone densities, the stone density upon LDCT showed lower values as noise increased. Taking into consideration the influence of stone density in LDCT, it is necessary to use SDCT and LDCT properly in accordance with the purpose of the examination.
