Renal Ultrasound

A renal ultrasound uses sound wave technology to detect and diagnose conditions within the kidneys, bladder and ureters, such as kidney stones, cysts, masses and infection, which can be identified by changes in the tension of the bladder walls or the overall size and structure of the kidneys.

Indications:

• Flank pain, hematuria or abnormal renal function
• Assessment of renal and perirenal mass found on physical examination or other imaging study
• Assessment of dilated upper urinary tract
• Postoperative evaluation after renal and ureteral surgery
• To assess the dynamics of the upper tract effects of voiding
• Evaluation for and monitoring of urolithiasis
• Intra-operative renal parenchymal and vascular imaging for ablation or resection of masses
• Evaluation of hematuria in patients who are not candidates for IVP, CT or MRI.
• Percutaneous access to renal collecting system
• To guide transcutaneous renal biopsies, cyst aspiration or ablation of masses
• Evaluation of postoperative renal transplant patients
• Interior Vena Cava, detection of invasion by tumor & filter localization
• To preclude obstruction in symptomatic patients
• 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)