No radiation exposure but still preserving excellent stone treatment outcomes

To reduce long-term risk from ionizing radiation exposure, Dr. Thomas Chi and his research team have implemented ultrasound and dye tests into kidney stone management and demonstrated their clinical efficacy. 

While CT scan is often being used to diagnose urinary stone in an acute setting, Dr. Chi has shown that ultrasound is a promising alternative. Based on data from a multi-center study initiated at UCSF, patients who had ultrasound as initial imaging do not experience delay to stone treatment or have worse clinical outcomes.

 

Emergency Department Imaging Modality Effect on Surgical Management of Nephrolithiasis: A Multi-Center Randomized Clinical Trial. Metzler IS, Smith-Bindman R, Moghadassi M, Wang RC, Stoller ML, Chi T. J Urol 2016 Oct 20. pii: S0022-5347(16)31533-6. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2016.09.122.   Read more...

Methylene Blue Injection as an Alternative to Antegrade Nephrostography to Assess Urinary Obstruction After Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy. Truesdale MD, Elmer-Dewitt M, Sandri M, Schmidt B, Metzler I, Gadzinski A, Stoller ML, Chi T. J Endourol. 2016 Apr;30(4):476-82. doi: 10.1089/end.2015.0594.   Read more...