DISTAL URETERAL CALCULI - DETECTION WITH VAGINAL US

PURPOSE: To describe the use of vaginal ultrasonography to identify di stal ureteral calculi and hydroureter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Abdomina l and vaginal sonography were performed in 13 women with distal ureter al calculi. Indications for sonography included flank pain, hematuria, and suspected appendicitis. Six patients were pregnant. RESULTS: In e ach patient, vaginal sonograms demonstrated a distal ureteral calculus ; in only two cases was the calculus detected with transabdominal sono graphy. Distal hydroureter was identified with vaginal scanning in eac h patient but with abdominal scanning in only two. Hydronephrosis was absent in three patients, mild in six, and moderate in four. Symmetric ureteral jets were noted at transabdominal sonography in two of nine patients. Follow-up transvaginal scans obtained shortly after passage of stones in two patients revealed swelling of the trigone but normal ureteral jets. CONCLUSION: In symptomatic female patients, use of vagi nal sonography should be considered to evaluate the distal ureter for calculi, particularly if the results of transabdominal examination are normal or inconclusive.