What is an inexpensive first step in evaluating a patient with suspected ureteral stone?
Radiography is often used as an inexpensive first step in examining a patient suspected of having urolithiasis, because the majority (approximately 90%) of urinary calculi are radiopaque.
Large calculi can easily be seen; however, confounding factors such as overlying bowel gas, gallstones, or fecal material and osseous structures such as transverse processes or the sacrum can easily hide small calculi.
In addition, distal ureteral stones can be confused with phleboliths in the pelvis.
