Your Health - Renal Ultrasound

Renal Ultrasound

(Ultrasound, Renal)

Definition

This test uses sound waves to study the renal system, which includes the kidneys, bladder, and ureters (the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder).

Reasons for Test

The test is done to look for:

Changes in the bladder wall
Changes in kidney size or structure
Kidney stone, cyst, mass, or other obstruction in the kidney
Stones in the urinary tract
Changes in the ureters

The test is also done to look at:

Kidneys before doing a renal biopsy (removal of tissue from the kidney for exam)
Blood flow to the kidneys (a Doppler ultrasound is used)

Urinary System with Stones

What to Expect

Prior to Test

Your doctor may do a physical exam.
You must have a full bladder for the test; do not empty your bladder until after the ultrasound.

Description of Test

You will lie on a table. Your doctor will put a gel on your belly over your bladder and kidneys. The gel helps the sound waves travel between the machine and your body.

The ultrasound machine has a hand-held instrument called a transducer, which looks like a microphone or wand. The transducer is pushed against your skin where the gel was applied. The transducer sends sound waves into your body. The waves bounce off your internal organs and echo back to the transducer. The echoes are converted into images that are shown on a screen. The doctor examines the images. He may make a photograph of them.

After Test

The gel will be wiped from your belly.

How Long Will It Take?

30-45 minutes

Will It Hurt?

Results

A radiologist will look at the images to make sure everything appears normal.

If your doctor or radiologist detects any problems with your organs or blockage in any of the tubes, more tests may be done to find the exact problem and cause. The doctor may also decide that the renal ultrasound provides enough information to make up a treatment plan for you.

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if you have any questions about the test, your condition, or your test results.

RESOURCES:

National Institutes of Health
http://www.nih.gov/

National Kidney Foundation
http://www.kidney.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php/

The Kidney Foundation of Canada
http://www.kidney.ab.ca/

References:

Imaging of the urinary tract. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse website. Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/imagingut/index.htm. Published November 2006. Accessed October 20, 2009.

Last reviewed October 2009 by Jill D. Landis

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.