A novel use of attenuation value (Hounsfield unit) in non-contrast CT: diagnosis of pyonephrosis in obstructed systems.

To evaluate the predictive value of attenuation value (HU) in renal pelvis urine for detecting renal pelvis urine culture (RPUC) positivity in obstructed urinary systems. The study group consisted of patients who had nephrostomy insertion performed because of obstructed system and suspicion of pyonephrosis and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) patients who had obstructed calculi. Group 1 consisted of RPUC positive 28 patients during nephrostomy insertion or needle access in PCNL and group 2 consisted of 23 patients with negative RPUC. RPUC results and non-contrast computed tomography measurements [Hounsfield unit (HU)] were compared between group 1 and group 2. A cut-off value was determined for HU. All patients were grouped according to whether they were above or below this value. The median HU calculated from the renal pelvis was - 8.5 (range - 29/- 1) and 10 (range- 4/+ 17) (p < 0.001) in group 1 and group 2, respectively. The cut-off value of HU that predicted positive RPUC was 0. Sensitivity and specificity of HU when considering this cut-off value were 100% and 96%, respectively (p < 0.001). Whereas RPUC positivity was found in 96.6% (28/29) of patients with HU < 0, there were no patients with HU > 0 where RPUC positivity was detected (p < 0.001). In this cohort, we found that HU of the urine in the renal pelvis can be used to predict RPUC positivity.