CTUs were performed with two different multidetector CT scanners (64-row Philips Brilliance and 320-row Toshiba Aquilion ONE).
CTU was performed in 4 different protocols:
Whenever possible, low acquisition parameters were used, to meet ESPR and ESUR criteria [1 (link), 2 (link)] and our guidelines described in previous publications [4 (link)].
CTU protocol evolved in time, and in some cases it could slightly differ from mentioned above - this concerned especially doses of CM per phase and time intervals between CM bolus injections (i.e. it could be elongated in some patients with severe hydronephrosis).
Examinations performed due to suspected CAKUT and follow-up studies performed after surgical repair were chosen to the final analysis − that is 226 CTUs in 205 patients (190 CTUs performed on Philips Brilliance, 36 – on Toshiba Aquilion ONE). In most cases, CTU was performed if no correlation was observed between the results of different imaging studies (especially ultrasonography and dynamic scintigraphy) or before qualification for surgical repair of the abnormality. Whenever possible, CTU was performed as a one-phase study.