An Imaging Review on Urinary Tract Calcifications

Abstract

The urinary tract is one of the most important excretory systems in the human body. It consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and the urethra. The existence of calcium and other minerals in the excretory contents makes it prone to calcifications in the conditions of stasis of these contents, in a conducive biochemical environment. The calcifications in the renal parenchyma - Nephrocalcinosis can be seen in a number of metabolic diseases which present with renal impairment or failure. The calcifications in the lumen of the dilated renal calices, pelvis, ureters, and the bladder or even in the urethra can be seen as stones which impair or obstruct the normal flow of urine. Urinary tract calcifications are seen not only in benign conditions, as has been described above, but also in malignant conditions like Wilm`s tumour in children or renal cell carcinoma in adults. Inflammatory conditions like Xanthogranulamatous Pyelonephritis can also have renal caliceal or pelvic calculi. The mode of presentation of the patients with urinary tract calcifications is different in different entities. A correct and a timely diagnosis is therefore a must for treating this malady. It is the single largest contributor of the cases of acute abdomen globally. This imaging review focuses on the calcifications in the urinary tract and the roles of various imaging modalities in their diagnosis, treatment and follow up.

Keywords

• urinary system
• excretory system
• calculi
• calcifications
• benign calcifications
• malignant calcifications