Imaging of the Urinary Tract Flashcards
What are the 3 main imaging modalities used when imaging the urinary system?
- X-ray
- ultrasound
- CT scans
A Kidney Urinary and Bladder (KUB) X-ray can be effective at identifying what in patients?
- kidney stones
- BUT CT has now superseded this
Are the ureters generally seen on an X-ray?
- no
- unless contrast is used
What is the intravenous urography (IVU)?
- patients are given an injection of contrast dye
- CT and X-ray can then be performed
- BUT CT is better
According to the NICE guidelines, when should a CT KUB (kidneys, ureters & bladder) be offered to a patient?
- in urgen cases within 24 houra
- patient presents with renal colic (renal related pain)
What are caculi?
- refers to stone
- so kidney stone
What would be some of the more common reasons to have an X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound or MRI in patients with suspected urinary system problems?
- renal colic
- tumour
- kidney stones
- pathophysiology
What is a CT urogram?
- injection of a contrast dye into the patient
- contrast dye can be detected on X-ray or CT
If a CT urogram has been performed, but the clinician remains unsure about the diagnosis, what would the next imaging modality of choice be?
- MRI
The CT urogram is the imaging modality of choice in the urinary tract. However, at times an MRI may be required, what are a few instances where this may be the case?
- clinician requires further investigation of urinary tract
- staging or urinary/renal cancer
- patient has kidney disease
What is an MR renal angiography used for?
- to look at blood vessels of the urinary system
- identify aneurysm, stenosis
What does percutaneous mean?
- accessing something through the skin
Fluroscopy is a method that shows continous X-rays on an image. When would this be used in the urinary system?
- when a known pathophysiology is present
- when other imaging methods are not able to scan
What is commonly the first line imaging modality in the urinary tract?
- ultrasound
