Renal / Kidney Ultrasound
Renal ultrasound is a painless procedure using sound waves to generate images of the kidneys and bladder. There is no ionizing radiation or intravenous dye.
Indications for renal ultrasound include the evaluation of:
- Renal dysfunction (abnormal renal function tests)
- Hydronephrosis or renal obstruction
- Hematuria (blood in urine)
- Assessment of the kidneys for masses and stones
- Flank pain
- Congenital abnormalities of the kidney –ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction or reflux
- Evaluation for polycystic kidney disease
- Bladder dysfunction or dysuria
How is renal / bladder ultrasound performed?
Renal ultrasound takes approximately 30 minutes. It involves lying down on a table and having warm gel placed on the abdomen while an ultrasound transducer is moved across the abdomen to generate images.