During the past 15 years, computed tomography (CT) scanning has become an invaluable tool in detecting and characterizing renal and ureteral stones.

The use of CT gives physicians the precise number, size and location of kidney stones. Signs of obstruction or complications are also visible. Conventional CT does involve a higher radiation dose than methods such as x-ray or an intravenous pyelogram (IVP), but it gives much more accurate information.

Because kidney stones tend to recur prompting additional imaging, and many kidney stone patients are relatively young, we continue to work toward a goal of fewest scans and least radiation per scan.

Dr. Portis and his colleagues have developed a reduced-radiation-dose CT for specified patients with kidney stones. When compared to conventional CT scans, the average radiation dose for the reduced-radiation version is nearly 75% less.

Use of low-dose stone CTs have dramatically reduced the radiation dose to our patients while still giving us the precise information needed to help us manage their kidney stones. It's just another innovation that sets HealthEast Kidney Stone Institute apart.