Assessment of ureteric obstruction with 16-MDCT: Curved planar reformats versus three-dimensional volume-rendered images and their corresponding maximum intensity projections

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AimTo compare the sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of curved planar reformation (CPR) image on the one hand versus combined volume-rendered (VR) image and its corresponding maximum intensity projection (MIP) image on the other hand for determination of the cause and level of ureteral obstruction. Materials and methodsThe study included 60 patients with clinical and sonographic manifestations of ureteral obstruction who underwent two-phase multidetector CT urography (MDCTU) using a 16-slice machine. A total of 82 ureters were examined. CPR images were performed to display the entire course of ureters in the same image. 3D VR reformats and their corresponding MIP were used to enhance visualization of opacified ureters. The sensitivity and accuracy of CPR, and combined 3D VR and MIP for diagnosis of ureteral obstruction were calculated and compared in reference to the gold standard. ResultsThe cause of ureteral obstruction was calculous in 28/82 ureters (34.14%), and noncalculous in 50/82 (61%). The lower third ureter was the most affected level in 48/82 ureters (58.5%). The total sensitivity and accuracy of CPR for the cause of the ureteric obstruction (97.5% and 95.3%, respectively) were higher than those of 3D VR and its corresponding MIP (75% and 73.2%, respectively). CPR also was more sensitive and accurate (total sensitivity of 100% and accuracy of 100%) compared with those of combined 3D VR and its corresponding MIP (79.5% and 75.9%, respectively) for the level of ureteral obstruction. ConclusionsCPR had superior diagnostic accuracy than 3D VR and MIP in detecting the cause and level of ureteral obstruction.