1.2.b Imaging of the urinary system Flashcards
Name 5 modes of imaging of the urinary system
- conventional radiography
- intravenous urogram (IVU)
- CT (computed tomography)
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- ultrasound
uses of conventional radiography in urinary system
- Rarely used for urinary system imaging
- May be used for visualising renal/uteric stones.
advantages of conventional radiography in urinary system
- useful for radio-opaque stones
- cheap
disadvantages of conventional radiography in urinary system
- use of ionising radiation
- poor resolution
- limited use for imaging the urinary system
uses of intravenous urogram (IVU) in urinary system
useful for determining the course of the ureter , and presence and location of stones
advantages of intravenous urogram (IVU) in urinary system
- useful for checking the normal function of kidneys
- cheap
- particularly useful in resource limited settings
disadvantages of intravenous urogram (IVU) in urinary system
Contrast medium is injected into a vein. Series of X rays required (multiple doses of ionising radiation)
uses of CT (computed tomography) in urinary system
- Gold standard for renal cancer staging.
- Useful for identification of kidney trauma/stones/tumors/infection
- Highly sensitive and specific for imaging stones
advantages of CT (computed tomography) in urinary system
- Creates 3D axial ‘slices’ of the body.
- Can be used without contrast (‘base CT’) or with contrast (‘post-contrast CT’)
disadvantages of CT (computed tomography) in urinary system
- High dose X-ray (Ionising radiation) beam moves around the body in a circle
- More costly than X ray.
uses of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) in urinary system
- Useful for soft tissue pathology: tumours, infection
- Magnetic resonance angiogram provides detailed views of renal arteries
advantages of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) in urinary system
- Uses radio waves and magnets to produce detailed pictures of internal organs and tissues
- Doesn’t use ionising radiation
- Excellent resolution
- Good evaluation of soft tissue
- Cross-sectional images can be obtained.
disadvantages of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) in urinary system
- Noisy
- Time-consuming
- Expensive
- Patient has to remain still for a prolonged amount of time
- Image contrast determined by tissue density
uses of ultrasound in urinary system
used for imaging stones, hydronephrosis and focal lesions
advantages of ultrasound in urinary system
- Can be used to quickly evaluate the size and shape of the kidneys
- Use high frequency sound waves
- Good resolution
