Imaging of the Urinary System

Question 1

Approximately how long is each kidney?

Answer 1

10 - 12 cm

Question 2

In which gender are the kidneys slightly larger?

Answer 2

Men

Question 3

What is the renal blood flow?

Answer 3

1200cc/min

Question 4

How long are the ureters?

Answer 4

25-30cm

Question 5

What are the 3 points of narrowing of the ureters?

Answer 5

PUJ
Pelvic brim
VU junction

Question 6

Peritonisation of the bladder

Answer 6

Extra peritoneal

Question 7

What is the trigone of the bladder?

Answer 7

Triangular area between the ureteric and urethral orifices

Question 8

Indications for renal imaging

Answer 8

Renal colic and renal stone disease
Haematuria
Suspected renal mass
UTIs
HTN

Question 9

What imaging techniques are used in renal medicine?

Answer 9

Plain film 
Contrast studies
- IVU 
 - Pyelography 
- Cystography 
USS +/- contrast
CT and CTU
MR and MRU
Isotope scans
PET-CT

Question 10

How does a pyelography work?

Answer 10

Injection of contrast into the ureters

Question 11

Is USS nephrotoxic?

Answer 11

No

Question 12

What does USS have poor visualization of?

Answer 12

Ureters

Question 13

What is a ureterocoele?

Answer 13

Cystic outpouching of the ureter into the bladder

Question 14

What is the imaging modality of choice for detection of renal stones, staging renal tumours and investigation for haematuria?

Answer 14

CT

Question 15

Contraindications of MR

Answer 15

Pace maker

Claustrophobia

Question 16

What isotope scan is used to look for renal scarring?

Answer 16

DMSA

Question 17

What isotope scan is used to assess renal function and drainage?

Answer 17

MAG3

Question 18

Why is there limited use for PET-CT in the staging of urological malignancies?

Answer 18

Due to high uptake in urine and variable uptake by tumours

Question 19

What is the best imaging modality to diagnose renal tract stones?

Answer 19

CT

Question 20

What is the best imaging modality of choice in the staging of renal tumours?

Answer 20

CT