What the radiologist needs to know about urolithiasis: part 1--pathogenesis, types, assessment, and variant anatomy.

OBJECTIVE: This article reviews types of urinary calculi and their imaging appearances, presents direct and secondary imaging findings of urolithiasis, and provides an overview of treatment methods. Pertinent imaging findings that impact clinical management are highlighted. The implications of complex or variant genitourinary anatomy are reviewed. We outline a standard format for the reporting of urolithiasis to facilitate informed clinical management decisions. CONCLUSION: Unenhanced CT is the preferred examination for evaluation of urolithiasis because of its availability, ease of performance, and high sensitivity. An awareness of the important imaging findings to report allows appropriate and efficient therapy.