Abstract:

Objective  To assess the value of twinkling artifact (TA) in quantitative prediction of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) stones. Methods  Twenty-five COM stones (COM group) and twenty-five stones of other chemical compositions (non-COM group) were included in this study. All urinary stones were studied in vitro with color Doppler ultrasound. The twinkling artifact width (TAW), height (TAH) and intensity (TAI) were recorded. The relationships between the data were analyzed statistically, followed by the illustration of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results  TAW, TAH and TAI of COM group were obviously smaller than those of non-COM group (all P<0.01). The ROC curve displayed that the cutoff value of TAI at 1661 could be used to diagnose COM stones. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and area under the curve were 84.0%, 76.0%, 80.0% and 0.80, respectively. Conclusion  TA may be helpful in the  detection of COM stones and instruction of stone treatment.

Key words: Calcium oxalate monohydrate, Twinkling artifact, Urolithiasis treatment, In vitro experimen