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RENAL (kidney and bladder) ULTRASOUND

What is renal ultrasound imaging?

What are the common uses of the procedure?

How should I prepare for the scan?

What will I experience during the examination?

How do I get the results?

What is renal ultrasound imaging?

Ultrasound imaging or sonography involves the sending of high frequency sound waves through the body to obtain images of the internal organs.

It does not involve x-rays or ionising radiation.

Ultrasound is a useful way of examining the kidneys and bladder. Blood flow into the kidneys and urine jets into the bladder can be examined using Doppler ultrasound.

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What are the common uses of the procedure?

Renal ultrasound can be used in the evaluation of a variety of complaints and conditions. These:

• determine the source of abdominal pains, such as kidney stones
• help in the evaluation of infection in the kidneys or bladder
• help to identify congenital abnormalities (these are abnormalities that you have been born with) of the renal tract
• help in the evaluation of problems related to the prostate gland
• help in identifying injuries to the kidneys and bladder after accidents.

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How should I prepare for the scan?

You will be asked to fill up your bladder by drinking 2 pints of fluid, 1 hour prior to your appointment time.

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What will I experience during the examination?

You will be asked to lie on your back on an examination couch. The ultrasound practitioner will place warm gel on your skin and will press the ultrasound transducer on your skin, moving it back and forth to obtain images of the internal organs. You may be asked to turn on your side for the examination.
Your bladder volume may be measured before and after urinating to detect any problems.

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How do I get the results?

The ultrasound practitioner will discuss the findings with you during the examination. They may show you images of your kidneys and bladder and you can ask questions.
Sometimes, it is not possible to give you an answer straight away after the examination because the ultrasound practitioner needs to analyse the images and the measurements.

A report will be sent to your doctor usually within two days.

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