Skip to main content

Acute Urinary Tract Conditions in Adults: Evidence-Based Emergency Imaging

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
  • 1141 Accesses

Part of the book series: Evidence-Based Imaging ((Evidence-Based Imag.))

Abstract

Many imaging studies for urinary tract emergencies are available; however, evidence has been complied to determining studies that are more useful in the acute setting. Non-contrast computed tomography is the best test for the identification of urinary tract stones, and ultrasound may be used to diagnose hydronephrosis and guide management in the emergent setting. Uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections are primarily diagnosed clinically. Imaging may be performed if the clinical situation is uncertain or if other diseases are suspected with contrast-enhanced computed tomography being the imaging test of choice. Imaging is not routinely indicated for upper urinary tract infections unless a complication is suspected; contrast-enhanced computed tomography again is the preferred imaging test to diagnose complications of an upper urinary tract infection. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are considered first-line imaging modalities for suspected renal colic or complications of urinary tract infections in patients with iodinated contrast allergies or pregnant patients (ultrasound or non-contrast MRI).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

References

  1. Curhan GC, Willett WC, Rimm EB, et al. Am J Epidemiol. 1996;143(3):240–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Knight J, Assimos DG, Easter L, et al. Hormone Metab Res. = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme. 2010;42(12):868–73.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Johri N, Cooper B, Robertson W, et al. Nephron Clin Pract. 2010;116(3):c159–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Rockwood N, Mandalia S, Bower M, et al. AIDS. 2011;25(13):1671–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Nicolle LE. Urol Clin North Am. 2008;35(1):1–12, v.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bhat RG, Katy T, Place FC. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2011;29(3):637–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Dielubanza EJ, Schaeffer AJ. Med Clin North Am. 2011;95(1):27–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Eves FJ, Rivera N. Home Healthc Nurse. 2010;28(4):230–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Ramakrishnan K, Scheid DC. Am Fam Physician. 2005;71(5):933–42.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Scales CD Jr, Smith AC, Hanley JM, et al. Eur Urol. 2012;62(1):160–5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Schappert SM. Vital Health Stat Ser, Data from the National Health Survey. 1999;13(143):i–iv, 1–39.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Foxman B, Barlow R, D’Arcy H, et al. Ann Epidemiol. 2000;10(8):509–15.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Carlson KJ, Mulley AG. Ann Intern Med. 1985;102(2):244–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Kunin CM. Clin Infect Dis. 1994;18(1):1–10; quiz 1–2.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Engel JD, Schaeffer AJ. Urol Clin North Am 1998;25(4):685–701, x.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Eken A, Alma E. Can Urol Assoc J. = Journal de l’Association des urologues du Canada. 2013;7(11–12):E754–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Czaja CA, Scholes D, Hooton TM, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2007;45(3):273–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Saigal CS, Joyce G, Timilsina AR, et al. Kidney Int. 2005;68(4):1808–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Kim SC, Kuo RL, Lingeman JE. Curr Opin Urol. 2003;13(3):235–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Hyams ES, Korley FK, Pham JC, et al. J Urol. 2011;186(6):2270–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Foxman B. Am J Med. 2002;113(Suppl 1A):5S–13S.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Foxman B, Gillespie B, Koopman J, et al. Am J Epidemiol. 2000;151(12):1194–205.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Jarvis WR. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1996;17(8):552–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Smith RC, Rosenfield AT, Choe KA, et al. Radiology. 1995;194(3):789–94.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Brenner DJ, Hall EJ. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(22):2277–84.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Fazel R, Krumholz HM, Wang Y, et al. N Engl J Med. 2009;361(9):849–57.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Abdel-Gawad M, Kadasne R, Anjikar C, et al. Int Braz J Urol. 2014;40(4):513–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Ripolles T, Martinez-Perez MJ, Vizuete J, et al. Abdom Imaging. 2013;38(4):863–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Kalb B, Sharma P, Salman K, et al. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2010;32(5):1012–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Dhar M, Denstedt JD. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2009;16(1):39–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Jung SI, Kim YJ, Park HS, et al. J Comput Assis Tomogr. 2010;34(6):879–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Levine JA, Neitlich J, Verga M, et al. Radiology. 1997;204(1):27–31.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Mettler FA Jr, Huda W, Yoshizumi TT, et al. Radiology. 2008;248(1):254–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Sheafor DH, Hertzberg BS, Freed KS, et al. Radiology. 2000;217(3):792–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Kielar AZ, Shabana W, Vakili M, et al. J Ultrasound Med. 2012;31(10):1619–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Rahmouni A, Bargoin R, Herment A, et al. Radiology. 1996;199(1):269–71.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Ulusan S, Koc Z, Tokmak N. J Clin Ultrasound. 2007;35(5):256–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Ripolles T, Agramunt M, Errando J, et al. Eur Radiol. 2004;14(1):129–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Varanelli MJ, Coll DM, Levine JA, et al. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2001;177(2):325–30.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Smith-Bindman R, Aubin C, Bailitz J, et al. N Engl J Med. 2014;371(12):1100–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Ekici S, Sinanoglu O. Urol Res. 2012;40(5):543–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Amis ES Jr, Cronan JJ, Pfister RC, et al. Urology. 1982;19(1):101–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Kamholtz RG, Cronan JJ, Dorfman GS. Radiology. 1989;170(1 Pt 1):51–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Teichman JM. N Engl J Med. 2004;350(7):684–93.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Coll DM, Varanelli MJ, Smith RC. Am J Roentgenol. 2002;178(1):101–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Lin WC, Uppot RN, Li CS, et al. J Urol 2007;178(3 Pt 1):907–911; discussion 11.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Metser U, Ghai S, Ong YY, et al. Am J Roentgenol. 2009;192(6):1509–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Fracchia JA, Panagopoulos G, Katz RJ, et al. J Endourol/Endourological Society. 2012;26(9):1242–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Jin DH, Lamberton GR, Broome DR, et al. Radiology. 2010;255(1):100–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Kulkarni NM, Uppot RN, Eisner BH, et al. Radiology. 2012;265(1):158–66.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Heneghan JP, McGuire KA, Leder RA, et al. Radiology. 2003;229(2):575–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Kalra MK, Maher MM, Toth TL, et al. Radiology. 2004;230(3):619–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Liu W, Esler SJ, Kenny BJ, et al. Radiology. 2000;215(1):51–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Meagher T, Sukumar VP, Collingwood J, et al. Clin Radiol. 2001;56(11):873–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Mulkens TH, Daineffe S, De Wijngaert R, et al. Am J Roentgenol. 2007;188(2):553–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Poletti PA, Platon A, Rutschmann OT, et al. Am J Roentgenol. 2007;188(4):927–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Tack D, Sourtzis S, Delpierre I, et al. Am J Roentgenol. 2003;180(2):305–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Jain N, Robinson S. Emerg Med J. 2012;29(8):687–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Kambadakone AR, Eisner BH, Catalano OA, et al. Radiographics. 2010;30(3):603–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Niemann T, Kollmann T, Bongartz G. Am J Roentgenol. 2008;191(2):396–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Sohn W, Clayman RV, Lee JY, et al. Urology. 2013;81(2):231–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Ciaschini MW, Remer EM, Baker ME, et al. Radiology. 2009;251(1):105–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Remer EM, Herts BR, Primak A, et al. Radiology. 2014;272(3):749–56.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Dalla Palma L, Pozzi-Mucelli R, Stacul F. Eur Radiol. 2001;11(1):4–17.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Kawashima A, Sandler CM, Boridy IC, et al. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1997;168(4):997–1000.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Katz DS, Lane MJ, Sommer FG. Am J Roentgenol. 1996;166(6):1319–22.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Smith RC, Verga M, Dalrymple N, et al. Am J Roentgenol. 1996;167(5):1109–13.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Eikefjord E, Askildsen JE, Rorvik J. Acta Radiol. 2008;49(2):222–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Hoppe H, Studer R, Kessler TM, et al. J Urol. 2006;175(5):1725–30. discussion 30

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Takahashi N, Kawashima A, Ernst RD, et al. Radiology. 1998;208(1):97–102.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Dym RJ, Duncan DR, Spektor M, et al. Abdom Imaging. 2014;39(3):526–32.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  72. Eiber M, Holzapfel K, Frimberger M, et al. Eur Radiol. 2012;22(1):251–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Fung GS, Kawamoto S, Matlaga BR, et al. Am J Roentgenol. 2012;198(6):1380–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  74. Kulkarni NM, Eisner BH, Pinho DF, et al. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2013;37(1):37–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Li X, Zhao R, Liu B, et al. Urology. 2013;81(4):727–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Boll DT, Patil NA, Paulson EK, et al. Radiology. 2009;250(3):813–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Grosjean R, Sauer B, Guerra RM, et al. Am J Roentgenol. 2008;190(3):720–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Mangold S, Thomas C, Fenchel M, et al. Radiology. 2012;264(1):119–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Moon JW, Park BK, Kim CK, et al. Br J Radiol. 2012;85(1014):e176–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  80. Semins MJ, Feng Z, Trock B, et al. Urolithiasis. 2013;41(1):43–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Regan F, Bohlman ME, Khazan R, et al. Am J Roentgenol. 1996;167(5):1115–20.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Zielonko J, Studniarek M, Markuszewski M. Eur Radiol. 2003;13(4):802–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Yassin A, Pedrosa I, Kearney M, et al. Acad Radiol. 2012;19(12):1566–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Thoeny HC, Kessler TM, Simon-Zoula S, et al. Radiology. 2008;247(3):754–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Thoeny HC, Binser T, Roth B, et al. Radiology. 2009;252(3):721–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Sudah M, Vanninen R, Partanen K, et al. Am J Roentgenol. 2001;176(1):105–12.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Bjerklund Johansen TE. Curr Opin Urol. 2002;12(1):39–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  88. Webb JA. Eur Radiol. 1997;7(6):837–43.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Schull A, Monzani Q, Bour L, et al. Diag Interv Imaging. 2012;93(6):500–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Kawashima A, Sandler CM, Goldman SM, et al. Radiographics. 1997;17(4):851–66. discussion 67–8

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Browne RF, Zwirewich C, Torreggiani WC. Eur Radiol. 2004;14(Suppl 3):E168–83.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  92. Thomas AA, Lane BR, Thomas AZ, et al. BJU Int. 2007;100(1):17–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  93. Andrews SJ, Brooks PT, Hanbury DC, et al. BMJ. 2002;324(7335):454–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  94. Little MA, Stafford Johnson DB, O’Callaghan JP, et al. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2000;15(2):200–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Lewis-Jones HG, Lamb GH, et al. Br J Radiol. 1989;62(743):977–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  96. Middela S, Green E, Montague R. BMJ Case Rep 2009;2009.

    Google Scholar 

  97. Bohlman ME, Sweren BS, Khazan R, et al. South Med J. 1991;84(12):1438–43.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  98. Bae GB, Kim SW, Shin BC, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2003;18(5):758–60.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  99. Mokabberi R, Ravakhah K. Am J Med Sci. 2007;333(2):111–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  100. Quint HJ, Drach GW, Rappaport WD, et al. J Urol. 1992;147(1):134–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  101. Grayson DE, Abbott RM, Levy AD, et al. Radiographics. 2002;22(3):543–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  102. Kauzlaric D, Barmeir E. J Ultrasound Med. 1985;4(6):319–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  103. Amano M, Shimizu T. Intern Med. 2014;53(2):79–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  104. Gheonea IA, Stoica Z, Bondari S. Curr Health Sci J. 2012;38(4):191–4.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  105. Jarrett TW, Vaughan ED Jr. J Urol. 1995;153(1):44–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  106. Grupper M, Kravtsov A, Potasman I. Medicine. 2007;86(1):47–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  107. Goldman SM, Fishman EK. Semin Ultrasound CT MR. 1991;12(4):335–60.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  108. Majd M, Nussbaum Blask AR, Markle BM, et al. Radiology. 2001;218(1):101–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  109. Shen Y, Brown MA. Nephrology. 2004;9(1):22–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  110. Das CJ, Ahmad Z, Sharma S, et al. World J Radiol. 2014;6(11):865–73.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  111. Baumgarten DA, Baumgartner BR. Urol Clin North Am. 1997;24(3):545–69.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  112. Kawashima A, Sandler CM, Goldman SM. BJU Int. 2000;86(Suppl 1):70–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  113. Papanicolaou N, Pfister RC. Radiol Clin N Am. 1996;34(5):965–95.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  114. Demertzis J, Menias CO. Emerg Radiol. 2007;14(1):13–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  115. Rodriguez-de-Velasquez A, Yoder IC, et al. Radiographics. 1995;15(5):1051–68.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  116. Mitterberger M, Pinggera GM, Colleselli D, et al. BJU Int. 2008;101(3):341–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  117. Jeffrey RB, Laing FC, Wing VW, et al. Am J Roentgenol. 1985;144(1):71–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  118. Ifergan J, Pommier R, Brion MC, et al. Diagn Interv Imaging. 2012;93(6):509–19.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  119. Rollino C, Beltrame G, Ferro M, et al. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2012;27(9):3488–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  120. Stojadinovic M, Micic S, Milovanovic D. Urol Int. 2008;80(4):389–97.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  121. Colemen BG, Arger PH, Mulhern CB Jr, et al. Am J Roentgenol. 1981;137(5):939–43.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  122. Rauschkolb EN, Sandler CM, Patel S, et al. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1982;6(3):502–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  123. Soulen MC, Fishman EK, Goldman SM, et al. Radiology. 1989;171(3):703–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  124. Kaplan DM, Rosenfield AT, Smith RC. Infect Dis Clin N Am. 1997;11(3):681–705.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  125. Yoo JM, Koh JS, Han CH, et al. Korean J Urol. 2010;51(4):260–5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  126. Piccoli GB, Consiglio V, Deagostini MC, et al. BMC Nephrol. 2011;12:68.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  127. Kim SH, Kim YW, Lee HJ. Acta Radiol. 2012;53(2):233–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  128. Kawashima A, Sandler CM, Ernst RD, et al. Crit Rev Diagn Imaging. 1997;38(5):369–415.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  129. Joseph RC, Amendola MA, Artze ME, et al. Radiographics. 1996;16(2):295–308.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  130. Wan YL, Lee TY, Bullard MJ, et al. Radiology. 1996;198(2):433–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  131. Gervais DA, Whitman GJ. Am J Roentgenol. 1994;162(2):348.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  132. Smith RC, Verga M, McCarthy S, et al. Am J Roentgenol. 1996;166(1):97–101.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  133. Fultz PJ, Hampton WR, Totterman SM. Abdom Imaging. 1993;18(1):82–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  134. Nicolet V, Carignan L, Dubuc G, et al. Radiology. 1988;168(2):411–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  135. Heussel CP, Kauczor HU, Heussel G, et al. Eur Radiol. 1999;9(4):616–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  136. Lonergan GJ, Pennington DJ, Morrison JC, et al. Radiology. 1998;207(2):377–84.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  137. De Pascale A, Piccoli GB, Priola SM, et al. Eur Radiol. 2013;23(11):3077–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  138. Faletti R, Cassinis MC, Fonio P, et al. Eur Radiol. 2013;23(12):3501–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  139. Rathod SB, Kumbhar SS, Nanivadekar A, et al. Acta Radiol. 2015;56(2):244–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  140. Martina MC, Campanino PP, Caraffo F, et al. La Radiologia Medica. 2010;115(2):287–300.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  141. Geoghegan T, Govender P, Torreggiani WC. Am J Roentgenol. 2005;185(2):560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  142. Chan JH, Tsui EY, Luk SH, et al. Clin Imaging. 2001;25(2):110–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter Aaron Harri .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Harri, P.A., Mittal, P.K., Moreno, C.C. (2018). Acute Urinary Tract Conditions in Adults: Evidence-Based Emergency Imaging. In: Kelly, A., Cronin, P., Puig, S., Applegate, K. (eds) Evidence-Based Emergency Imaging. Evidence-Based Imaging. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67066-9_25

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67066-9_25

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-67064-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-67066-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics