Review
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World J Clin Urol. Nov 24, 2014; 3(3): 161-167
Published online Nov 24, 2014. doi: 10.5410/wjcu.v3.i3.161
Acute management of symptomatic nephrolithiasis
Matthew Sterling, Justin Ziemba, Phillip Mucksavage
Matthew Sterling, Justin Ziemba, Phillip Mucksavage, Division of Urology, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
Author contributions: Sterling M, Ziemba J and Mucksavage P contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Phillip Mucksavage, MD, Division of Urology, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Medicine Washington Square, 800 Walnut Street Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States. phillip.mucksavage@uphs.upenn.edu
Telephone: +1-215-2009623
Received: April 23, 2014
Revised: May 23, 2014
Accepted: August 27, 2014
Published online: November 24, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Despite updated guidelines from the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology for the evaluation and management of nephrolithiasis, considerable variability still exists regarding treatment for acute symptomatic upper urinary tract stones, especially in regards to imaging modalities used in the emergency department. Acute imaging with a non-contrast computed tomography scan is the diagnostic imaging modality of choice. However, concerns over radiation exposure have led towards low-dose and even ultra-low-dose protocols for the detection of urinary calculi. Low-dose non-contrast computed tomography scans are now standard of care for the initial diagnosis of renal colic in patients with a body mass index ≤ 30.