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Over 9 years, CT use for the diagnosis of kidney stones in US emergency departments (EDs) increased from 73.8% in 2016 to 89.8% in 2024; however, ultrasound use declined from 5.8% to 3.8%. Hospital admissions for nephrolithiasis increased from 8.9% to 12.7%, highlighting a shift toward greater CT use and inpatient management.

"Nephrolithiasis remains a common and increasing reason for ED visits, with a steady rise in hospital admissions over time. There have been notable shifts in management, including a substantial increase in CT utilization relative to general ED trends and a decline in opioid administration in favor of non-opioid analgesics," the authors wrote.

"Understanding these contemporary practice patterns can help guide quality improvement initiatives for diagnostic imaging and disposition decisions in the ED," they added.

The study was led by Grace V. Riley, MPH, Rush University Medical College, Chicago. It was published online on September 23, 2026, in The Journal of Emergency Medicine.

The Epic Cosmos database expanded during the study period, potentially influencing longitudinal trends. The reliance on diagnostic codes may have overrepresented patients who received CT imaging. Given the observational design of the study, some imaging may have been obtained for other indications, and other concomitant conditions may have influenced admission rates or medication selection. Additionally, medications taken before ED arrival and rates of urologic consultation were not assessed.

Funding information was not provided for the study. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.