Diagnostic Imaging of the Kidneys, Ureters and the Prostate/Uterus Flashcards
Indications for Diagnostic Imaging of the Urinary Tract
Abdominal mass
Abnormal renal or urinary profile
Altered urination
Abdominal/pelvic trauma
normal anatomy - kidneys
smooth, bean shaped
right more cranial
normal anatomy - ureters
normally not seen
normal anatomy - Urinary Bladder
Size variable, ‘pear shaped’, smooth margins
Location: caudoventral abdomen
Ventral to colon + uterus/uterine stump
Cranial to prostate
normal anatomy - Urethra
normally not seen
Os penis
normal anatomy - Anatomy of the Urinary Bladder and Urethra - male vs female
male ureters move caudally before curling down ventrally to the penis
female ureters move straight caudally
normal anatomy - prostate
surrounding the prostatic urethra, Ventral to colon, Dorsal to pubis
size - <70% distance of promontory to os pubis
Oval to round
in cats not seen
normal anatomy - uterus
Ventral to colon, dorsal to urinary bladder
variable size
Shape - tubular
not always seen
Nephromegaly - appearance on x-ray
Ventral displacement of intestines
Nephrolithiasis - appearance on x-ray
Altered opacity
appearance of ureters on ultrasound
Difficult to see/not visible when normal
Urinary jet at ureterovesical junction - Doppler exam
appearance of prostate on ultrasound
Homogeneous echogenicity
Centrally urethra is seen
appearance of uterus on ultrasound
Tubular structure dorsal to urinary bladder
Echogenic line in the middle: lumen
contrast studies are used to diagnose…
Renal mass
Renal dysplasia
Ectopic ureter
Hydronephrosis
contraindications for contrast studies
Dehydration
Known hypersensitivity to iodine
(heart failure)
Azotemia is not a contraindication if adequate hydration is provided
