CT Renal Pathologies - Video Lesson

Hey everybody, welcome back. This lesson is about the most common renal pathologies that we observe in CT imaging. The first pathology is by far the most common. A renal stone or renal calculi is a dense collection of minerals, usually calcium, that forms within the kidney's collecting system. This condition is also called urolithiasis or nephrolithiasis. This condition is very common and very easy to identify in CT. In non contrast CT, they typically present as a well defined hyperdensity, that's a bright white area, within the collecting system, ureters, or bladder. When urine flow is obstructed, hydronephrosis is also observed. They typically form within the collecting system of the kidneys and sometimes we see them there, but sometimes they migrate out of the kidneys into the ureters and bladder. Hydronephrosis occurs when the stone is blocking the flow of urine and urine begins backing up inside of the collecting system. This patient has a very