Imaging of the Urinary System Flashcards
Approximately how long is each kidney?
10 - 12 cm
In which gender are the kidneys slightly larger?
Men
What is the renal blood flow?
1200cc/min
How long are the ureters?
25-30cm
What are the 3 points of narrowing of the ureters?
PUJ
Pelvic brim
VU junction
Peritonisation of the bladder
Extra peritoneal
What is the trigone of the bladder?
Triangular area between the ureteric and urethral orifices
Indications for renal imaging
Renal colic and renal stone disease Haematuria Suspected renal mass UTIs HTN
What imaging techniques are used in renal medicine?
Plain film Contrast studies - IVU - Pyelography - Cystography USS +/- contrast CT and CTU MR and MRU Isotope scans PET-CT
How does a pyelography work?
Injection of contrast into the ureters
Is USS nephrotoxic?
No
What does USS have poor visualization of?
Ureters
What is a ureterocoele?
Cystic outpouching of the ureter into the bladder
What is the imaging modality of choice for detection of renal stones, staging renal tumours and investigation for haematuria?
CT
Contraindications of MR
Pace maker
Claustrophobia
What isotope scan is used to look for renal scarring?
DMSA
What isotope scan is used to assess renal function and drainage?
MAG3
Why is there limited use for PET-CT in the staging of urological malignancies?
Due to high uptake in urine and variable uptake by tumours
What is the best imaging modality to diagnose renal tract stones?
CT
What is the best imaging modality of choice in the staging of renal tumours?
CT
