Patterns of Computed Tomography Urography Findings in a Tertiary Hospital in Rivers State: 2 Years Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Computed tomography urography (CTU), is a radiological examination and has largely replaced traditional intravenous urography (IVU) as the gold standard in the imaging of the genitourinary tract, hence it is now used as a primary imaging technique to evaluate patients with diseases involving the urinary tract. Objective: The aim of this study is to ascertain and document the indications as well as possible findings on CTU carried out on various patients sent to the Radiology department of a tertiary hospital in our environment. Methods: A retrospective study and descriptive design was employed in this study. A total of 140 patient’s data was used. A P-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: One-hundred and forty patients were studied over a 24months period. The commonest age range is 41 to 50 years and also with most abnormalities.  It also showed that more males presented for CTU than females. The most frequent indication for CTU is flank pain (31.4%, n=44). The most common finding in this study is hydronephrosis (39.3%, n=55) and it showed significant association with age (P-value=0.036). Stone is the next common finding with the inferior pole (n=23, 48.9%) as the commonest site for stones. Few congenital anomalies were noted with kinked ureters (n=9, 50.0%) been the most common. Right sided renal cyst is more frequent that left (n=21, 44.7% vs n=20, 42.6%) and inferior pole is the most common location. Conclusion: CTU is the imaging modality of choice in evaluating the genitourinary system with the advantage of giving additional information about other abdominal structures.  Flank pain is the most prevalent indication in this study. Hydronephrosis is the commonest finding with significant association with age.