Comparison of Resistivity Index of Segmental Arteries Between Normal and Obstructed Kidneys in Ureterolithiasis with Doppler Ultrasonography

Abstract: These days, the most common problem that the urologists face is Urolithiasis and renal colic is the most highlighted one. Renal obstruction due to urolithiasis is the most frequent cause. This disease is widespread in our country and 12% of the Pakistani population has urolithiasis. Objective: To compare the resistivity index of segmental arteries between normal and obstructed kidneys in ureterolithiasis with Doppler Ultrasonography. Methods: Comparative analytic study was conducted. 115 patients were selected through simple random sampling technique. Fifty-five patients were presented with ureterolithiasis and sixty (60) normal individuals in nine months duration in the Radiology department of University of Lahore and Gilani ultrasound center. All the patients went through grayscale and Doppler ultrasonography to evaluate the Doppler index value of segmental artery. Results: Out of 115, 55 were suffering with ureterolithiasis and 60 were normal. 5.2% of the cases were found with >0.70 resistivity index (RI) and 4.3% with the upper limit. 90.4 % cases were below the upper limit of RI. The mean RI value of the obstructed right cases was 0.65±0.08 and in normal right kidneys 0.54±0.07. The mean resistive index value of the obstructed left cases was 0.63±0.05 and in normal left kidneys 0.54±0.08 and the resistivity index comparison between the obstructed right and obstructed left kidneys was 0.65±0.08 vs 0.63±0.05. Conclusions: It is concluded that ureteric stones were capable of elevating the RI of segmental arteries. The number of cases found with elevated RI were 5.2% and 4.3% with the upper limit. Although the percentage of cases having elevated RI was small but results were significant. Keywords: Urolithiasis, Doppler Ultrasonography, segmental arteries, hydronephrosis,resistive index.