Sonographic mimics of renal calculi.

Objectives: To review sonographic findings that can mimic renal calculi.

Methods: We comment on a number of echoes that can mimic renal calculi.

Results: There are a number of sonographic renal artifacts, vascular and nonvascular, that may confound a correct diagnosis.

Conclusions: Awareness of these potential artifacts will result in a more specific sonographic examination and will accurately guide the referring physician toward appropriate patient treatment. The importance of other imaging modalities is also emphasized to ensure that a correct diagnosis is obtained whenever the sonographic findings are inconclusive.