The Urological Dyna-CT: ex vivo feasibility study of interventional cross-sectional imaging in the endourological operation room.

BACKGROUND: Imaging of the urinary tract and its surrounding tissue still remains challenging, since standard imaging in the urological operation room consists of fluoroscopy and plain X-rays. The combination of a ceiling-mounted X-ray system and a new urological intervention table now allows cross-sectional imaging and 3D reconstruction to be performed in the endourological operation room (Urological Dyna-CT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The imaging quality of the Artis Zee Ceiling (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) was assessed using slice images of an ex vivo pig kidney model prepared with artificial stones (plaster of Paris). We compared the image quality of three different examination protocols with this model. 3D reconstruction quality was illustrated by means of retrograde filling of one pig`s urinary tract with a diluted contrast medium.

RESULTS: Interventional stone detection and localization is possible with a 5 s low-dose Urological Dyna-CT. Detailed imaging of the collecting system by retrograde pyelography is possible with a high image quality.

CONCLUSION: The combination of an Artis Zee(®) Ceiling (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) with our newly developed urological intervention table we call the Urological Dyna-CT. In addition to such standard procedures as fluoroscopy or plain X-rays, cross-sectional imaging and 3D reconstruction of the urinary tract are possible and provide fast and excellent urological imaging.