Clinical Trial: Emergency Department Ultrasound in Renal Colic

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Hydro II: Emergency Department Ultrasound in Renal Colic

Brief Summary: Renal colic is a common (1300 visits per year at our institution) and painful condition caused by stones in the kidney and ureter, and can be mimicked by life threatening conditions such as a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This can create clinical uncertainty. Emergency department targeted ultrasound (EDTU) is performed by an emergency physician at the patient's bedside, and has been shown to be accurate, safe, and efficient. We have shown that EDTU can accurately identify hydronephrosis, which is a predictor of complications of kidney stones. A normal formal ultrasound (US) predicts an uncomplicated clinical course. We will assess the accuracy of EDTU for the diagnosis of hydronephrosis, and when normal, whether patients can be safely discharged.

Detailed Summary:
Sponsor: Queen's University

Current Primary Outcome:

  • complications post-ED visit in patients with and without negative EDTU. [ Time Frame: 30 days ]
    The frequency of complications by 30 days post-ED visit in patients with and without negative EDTU.
  • diagnostic accuracy for hydronephrosis [ Time Frame: 1 hours ]
    The accuracy of ED physicians in using EDTU to assess for hydronephrosis when compared to diagnostic imaging by CT or formal ultrasound.


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • ED length of stay [ Time Frame: 1 day ]
    estimates of potential time of ED stay saved if a clinical decision is made on the basis of an EDTU (rather than waiting for formal diagnostic imaging)
  • radiation dose [ Time Frame: 1 hour ]
    potential savings in radiation exposure from avoiding CT scanning
  • accuracy in ruling out AAA [ Time Frame: 1 hour ]
    accuracy of ED physicians in using EDTU to assess aortic size (and rule out AAA) when compared to diagnostic imaging by CT or formal ultrasound will also be validated.


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Queen's University

Dates:
Date Received: March 24, 2011
Date Started: March 2011
Date Completion:
Last Updated: November 24, 2015
Last Verified: November 2015