Journal of Medical Research and Health Sciences
Low Diagnostic Yield of KUB for Suspected Nephrolithiasis in Urgent Care: A Retrospective Quality-Improvement Audit
By Aaron McColpin.
Abstract
Background
Plain radiography of the kidneys, ureters and bladder (KUB) is frequently ordered in urgent care for suspected Renal Calculi, despite a reported sensitivity and specificity of only 44–77%, well below non-contrast computed tomography (CT), which current guidelines treat as the diagnostic standard.
Objective
To determine the diagnostic yield of KUB radiography for suspected nephrolithiasis in a regional urgent care network and estimate its associated cost and radiation burden.
Methods
A retrospective chart audit was conducted of patients with suspected kidney stones who underwent KUB radiography at Urgent Care sites in Southern California. The primary outcome was diagnostic yield, defined as a stone identified on KUB. Cost and radiation exposure were estimated from published sources.