Should CT be used in all cases of suspected renal colic?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is CT Imaging the Most Appropriate Diagnostic Investigation for Suspected Renal Colic?
IRAS ID
227276
Contact name
Lisa Farquhar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 5 days
Research summary
Renal colic (pain from kidney stones) is common and CT scans are the recommended test for this condition. However, there is a risk that CT scans can cause cancerous changes due to radiation. This risk is highest for young people and females. Studies suggest that young women are the least likely group of people to have kidney stones, and are therefore more likely to have unnecessary risks from radiation.
This is a pilot study which will invite all adults who present to the hospital X-ray department who have already been referred for a CT scan to find out if they have kidney stones. After consent and information leaflets, they will be asked to fill in a short questionnaire about their symptoms. The questionnaire will be compared to the CT scan findings to look for links between symptoms and whether the scan shows kidney stones or not.
The information from this preliminary study will be used to predict the appropriate sample size and evaluate feasibility for a larger study. The information gained from the pilot study can guide doctors on which groups of patients are least likely to have kidney stones. This information can potentially reduce the number of unnecessary CT scans which could cause harm to patients.
Data collection will run until September 2017.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
17/WS/0108
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion