12.6 Imaging the Urinary System

Question 1

What is the use case of ultrasound in genitourinary imaging?

Answer 1

• Background parenchyma
• Good for calcifications
• Assessing cystic (hollow) vs solid lesions
• Volumes (kidne, bladder, volume)
• Ureter function

Question 2

What is the use case of CT in genitourinary imaging?

Answer 2

• Organs and collection system: hypervascular structures, nodular tissue, plain, and radiocontrast images
• Assessing lesions (cystic vs fat containing, shape of lesion, ?calcification)

Question 3

What is the use case of X-Ray in genitourinary imaging?

Answer 3

• Bony lesions/fractures
• Calcification
• Tumours/abnormal masses

Question 4

What is the use case of MRI in genitourinary imaging?

Answer 4

• Enhancement pattern can show perfusion/obstruction
• Solid vs cystic lesions (patients w/ shit kidneys who can’t clear CT contrast)
• Vascular structures (e.g. renal artery stenosis, aneurysms, tumour vascularity)

Question 5

What is the use case of nuclear medicine in genitourinary imaging?

Answer 5

• Follow radiocontrast throughout the whole system
• Gauge kidney function, baseline monitoring, and urine output efficiency