The importance of computed tomography in the diagnosis of diseases of the urinary system in children

Computed tomography (CT) occupies a central place in the modern diagnosis of diseases of the urinary system due to its high accuracy, speed of execution and the possibility of a detailed study of the anatomical structures of the urinary system. This method can detect a wide range of pathologies, including nephrolithiasis, hydronephrosis, kidney malformations, cystic and tumor formations. However, despite its advantages, CT has a number of limitations, including radiation exposure, high cost, and the need for contrast enhancement in some cases. These factors necessitate a balanced approach to the use of this method, especially in the diagnostic range in patients with chronic kidney disease and anatomical abnormalities. The aim of the study was to study the diagnostic significance of CT in the detection of diseases of the urinary system, including urolithiasis, cysts, and developmental abnormalities. Materials and methods. A single-center, one-stage descriptive study was conducted based on data on the use of CT diagnostics in children under 18 years of age who were hospitalized in the V.P. Sitnikova Nephrology Department of Voronezh Regional Children's Clinical Hospital No. 1 for 2 years: from 01.01.2022 to 31.12.2023. Results. A sample of 30 patients aged 3 to 17 years was analyzed (Iu [Q1;Q3]=13,5; [8;16]), The sex ratio is 18 (60%) female and 12 (40%) male, 6 (20%) rural residents and 24 (80 %) urban area. The diagnosis of ICD according to CT was detected in 43.3% of the subjects, while according to ultrasound of the kidneys in 33.3%. The average age of patients with concretions was 13 years. The concretions were localized mainly in the lower group of calyces. The size of most concretions did not exceed 5 mm (Iu [Q1;Q3]=3,5[4,7;3,5]). The most common complication was pyeloectasia (36.7%). Among the abnormalities of the urinary tract, the most common was a doubling of heart rate (76.9%). Painful sensations in the lumbar region were observed in 43.3% of patients, of which 73.3% had kidney stones. Conclusions. The data obtained during the study confirm the importance of CT as a method of diagnosing diseases of the urinary system, a more detailed diagnosis compared to ultrasound, which proves the need to use CT in complex clinical cases.