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Urinary lithiasis is one of the most common urinary tract pathologies worldwide, occurring both in the Western and Eastern regions. It has a prevalence of approximately 15% of the world's population, which demonstrates its clinical relevance. In Brazil, data shows that there are approximately 5-10% of individuals affected by this disease, with its incidence constantly increasing in the population. However, the figures are imprecise in relation to the diagnosis of urinary lithiasis in the regions of Brazil, especially in the Northeast.
This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out using data collected from electronic medical records in order to identify the incidence and epidemiological profile of inpatients who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans with a report showing renal lithiasis in asymptomatic and causal cases, as well as analyzing the characteristics of lithiasis in terms of size, type, number, location and renal involvement. The research was carried out in a public tertiary hospital in Teresina, Piauí, with data collection covering abdominal CT scans performed between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2022. Inpatients who underwent abdominal CT scans during the period in which they showed renal lithiasis were included.
During the study period, 4645 abdominal CT scans (total, upper or lower) were performed. As a result, repeated reports of the same examination were observed. Therefore, after analyzing the data, 1937 CT scans were performed, 172 of which showed kidney stones on the report. Of these, only 132 were eligible for the study, as they met the inclusion criteria. With regard to the incidence of urinary lithiasis, 8.88% of inpatients were found to have asymptomatic urinary calculi when they underwent abdominal CT scans for diagnosis and follow-up of other pathologies unrelated to the topography of the kidneys and urinary tract. With regard to the epidemiological profile, with an emphasis on gender and age, 53% of the patients were male and 47% female. In addition, the most prevalent age group observed was between 20 and 60 years old. The average age was 56. Among the characteristics related to urolithiasis, 63.4% identified that the size of the calculus ranged from 0.1 to 0.4 cm. All were of the non-coraliform type, 41% of the exams showed a single stone and 59% multiple. In terms of location, 53% of the calculi were found in the lower calyx. The most common renal involvement was bilateral with 35.3%, followed by the left kidney with 34% and the right kidney with 30.7%.
In conclusion, based on a broad sample, the prevalence of incidentally found kidney stones aligns with what is reported in the literature (8.8%). Solitary and small stones predominate, and there is no preference regarding sides and location within the renal calices