CT Abdomen and Pelvis There is no current literature specific to the use of CT of the abdomen and pelvis in the evaluation of suspected APN in pregnant patients. CT imaging of the abdomen and pelvis is not supported as the initial imaging in pregnant patients. The main disadvantage of using CT of the abdomen and pelvis in a pregnant patient is the risk of ionizing radiation to the embryo or fetus and the mother, particularly for the pelvic portion of the examination [46]. CT Abdomen There is no current literature to support the use of CT of the abdomen in the evaluation of suspected APN in pregnant patients. CT imaging of the abdomen does not allow for detection of pelvic abnormalities including urolithiasis in the distal ureters or urinary bladder, congenital abnormalities of the distal ureters and abnormal insertion sites, and abnormalities of the urinary bladder, among other potential sources of APN. CTU CTU There is no current literature to support the use of CTU in the evaluation of suspected APN in pregnant patients. There is variability in CTU imaging technique. The added benefit of an excretory phase from any CTU image acquisition protocol is likely negligible with respect to the detection and characterization of APN in a pregnant patient. A CTU protocol that does not include unenhanced imaging and that uses a split bolus to achieve a mixed nephrographic and excretory phase could mask the presence of urolithiasis. DMSA Renal Scan DMSA renal scintigraphy is not beneficial in the imaging evaluation for suspected APN in a pregnant patient [15]. Fluoroscopy Antegrade Pyelography Antegrade pyelography is not beneficial in the imaging evaluation for suspected APN in a pregnant patient [15]. Acute Pyelonephritis Fluoroscopy Voiding Cystourethrography VCUG is not beneficial in the imaging evaluation for suspected APN in a pregnant patient [15].
Acute Pyelonephritis. CT Abdomen and Pelvis There is no current literature specific to the use of CT of the abdomen and pelvis in the evaluation of suspected APN in pregnant patients. CT imaging of the abdomen and pelvis is not supported as the initial imaging in pregnant patients. The main disadvantage of using CT of the abdomen and pelvis in a pregnant patient is the risk of ionizing radiation to the embryo or fetus and the mother, particularly for the pelvic portion of the examination [46]. CT Abdomen There is no current literature to support the use of CT of the abdomen in the evaluation of suspected APN in pregnant patients. CT imaging of the abdomen does not allow for detection of pelvic abnormalities including urolithiasis in the distal ureters or urinary bladder, congenital abnormalities of the distal ureters and abnormal insertion sites, and abnormalities of the urinary bladder, among other potential sources of APN. CTU CTU There is no current literature to support the use of CTU in the evaluation of suspected APN in pregnant patients. There is variability in CTU imaging technique. The added benefit of an excretory phase from any CTU image acquisition protocol is likely negligible with respect to the detection and characterization of APN in a pregnant patient. A CTU protocol that does not include unenhanced imaging and that uses a split bolus to achieve a mixed nephrographic and excretory phase could mask the presence of urolithiasis. DMSA Renal Scan DMSA renal scintigraphy is not beneficial in the imaging evaluation for suspected APN in a pregnant patient [15]. Fluoroscopy Antegrade Pyelography Antegrade pyelography is not beneficial in the imaging evaluation for suspected APN in a pregnant patient [15]. Acute Pyelonephritis Fluoroscopy Voiding Cystourethrography VCUG is not beneficial in the imaging evaluation for suspected APN in a pregnant patient [15].