The comparative survey of Hounsfield units of stone composition in urolithiasis patients

BACKGROUND: Non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) is the diagnostic choice for renal stone disease. Knowing the composition of a stone before passage can help to choose a better management. We sought to determine whether the Hounsfield unit (HU) measured by NCCT can predict the composition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 180 urinary stones from patients seen at Shariati, Kashani and Alzahra CT centers, were submitted to stone analysis, 2012. All scans had been interpreted for HU. Primitive statistical findings showed an effect of size on the HU. To avoid confounding bias, Hounsfield Density (HD: HU/largest transverse diameter) was calculated. Statistical comparisons were performed between composition with HU and HD. RESULTS: Calcium stones had specific ranges for HD and HU. No non-calcium stone had HU more than 448 and HD greater than 50 HU/mm. CONCLUSION: NCCT can differentiate just Calcium from non-calcium stones.