Suspected urolithiasis in pregnant women: imaging algorithm and literature review.

Abstract

Urolithiasis during pregnancy is a difficult clinical problem in which carefully selected radiologic studies play an essential role. For years excretory urography has been the standard of care in the radiologic evaluation of urolithiasis in pregnancy. Recently, sonography, particularly Doppler sonography, has evolved as an invaluable tool in the armamentarium of radiologists facing this challenging problem. In experienced hands, the diagnosis of urolithiasis in pregnancy can be made confidently using Doppler sonography and, when necessary, excretory urography.