The British Association of Urological Surgeons1 has released new guidelines in December 2008 entitled “Guidelines for Acute Management of First Presentation of Renal/Ureteric Lithiasis”.

These guidelines apply to all emergency departments and suggest that the initial radiological investigation should be kidneys, ureter, and bladder (KUB) radiograph, followed by a non-contrast CT scan within 24 h of presentation. This is to “confirm the diagnosis, or for planning …