Patient with flank pain and intermittent hematuria. The typical renal colic? Usefulness of ultrasonography in the emergency room

Background Acute flank pain and hematuria is a common ED presenting symptom, Bedside emergency renal US performed and interpreted by EPs with limited training and experience is increasing in use and gaining acceptance. Emergency renal ultrasonography concentrates on the focused presence or absence of hydronephrosis as is often seen in patients with acute flank pain secondary to renal colic. ED visit rates for urolithiasis increased from 178 to 340 visits per 100,000 individuals from 1992 to 2009. Therefore, it is a common condition in the ED. In many patients, bedside renal US may obviate the need for further diagnostic workup and speed the diagnosis and treatment of an emergency patient.