Can Hounsfield unit values of the cortex and papillae determined by computed tomography demonstrate the possibility of kidney stone formation?

PurposeThis study is aimed at measuring HU values of the renal cortex and papillae in patients with nephrolithiasis and demonstrating renal changes associated with nephrolithiasis.Materials and methodsMeasurements were performed with regard to HU values of the cortex and papillae of 82 patients with unilateral nephrolithiasis and 81 patients in the control group at the level of the upper pole, middle region and lower pole of both kidneys.ResultsWhen the HU values obtained from the upper pole, middle region and lower pole of the kidney with calculi and unaffected kidney in patients with nephrolithiasis were compared with those for the control group, the difference among the groups were found to be significant (p < 0.001). A comparison of the cortex and papillae densities of the affected and unaffected kidneys in patients with unilateral nephrolithiasis were compared with regard to the upper pole and middle region, no statistically significant difference was observed with regard to both the cortex and papillae densities of the upper pole, middle region. However, in those patients with calculi in the lower pole, the region with calculi has a higher papillae density as compared to the unaffected region.ConclusionBoth kidneys in patients with calculi have a comparatively high renal cortex and papillae densities. In the future, this information may be useful in predicting which patients may develop nephrolithiasis.