IMAGING - Urinary System Flashcards
What are the limitations of radiography when imaging the urinary system?
Fluid and soft tissue have the same opacity
Kidneys and bladder may not always be visible
Can often only see marked changes in radio-opacity and size
Why is the right kidney more difficult to visualise on radiography?
The right kidney is often superimposed onto the liver on radiography
What are the main applications of radiograph contrast studies when imaging the urianry system?
Radiograph contrast studies are useful for assessing for urinary tract ruptures and to assess the intrapelvic structures of the kidneys
What are negative based radiograph contrast studies?
Negative based contrast studies is where air is used to provide contrast as air will decrease the x-ray attenuation making the structures containing these agents appear darker on the radiograph
What are positive based radiograph contrast studies?
Positive based contrast studies is where iodine based contrast mediums are used to increase the x-ray attenuation, making the structures containing these agents appear brighter on the radiograph
Which routes of administration can be used for contrast radiography of the urinary system?
Intravenous urography (IVU)
Retrograde urethral cystography
What is intravenous urography (IVU)?
Intravenous urography (IVU) is where the contrast medium is administered via the cephalic vein and demonstrates the kidneys and the ureters
|Can only be done with positive contrast methods
What is retrograde urethral cystography?
Retrograde urethral cystography is where the contrast medium is administered via a urinary catheter to demonstrate the urethra and the bladder
Why is it so important to correctly position your urinary catheter when doing retrograde urethral cystography?
It is important to position your urinary catheter so that the contrast doesnt spill out but also at the distal end of the urethra in order to visualise as much of the urethra as possible
What should be done before taking contrast radiographs of the urinary system?
Plain radiographs
Enema
Why should an enema be done prior to contrast radiography of the urinary system?
An enema should be done prior to contrast radiography of the urinary system as the colonic content can both mask and imitate pathological changes in the urinary system
Which ultrasound view of the normal kidneys is this?
Long axis view of the kidney
Which ultrasound view of the normal kidneys is this?
Short axis view of the kidney
Why is the right kidney more difficult to visualise on ultrasound?
The right kidney is more dorsal and cranial than the left kidney and can be tucked into the ribs
How does the appearance of the kidneys differ in cats compared to dogs?
In cats, the kidneys are more mobile and have a more rounded outline than in dogs. Cats are also more likely to have a corticomedullary rim sign which can be completely normal in cats
Which factors should you assess when assessing the kidneys on diagnostic imaging?
Location
Size
Shape
Margins
Internal structures
Echogenicity
Echotexture
What are the internal structures of the kidneys that you should assess on ultrasound?
Renal cortex
Renal medulla
Corticomedullary junction
Renal pelvis
What are the differential diagnoses for changes in the renal parenchyma on diagnostic imaging?
Acute renal disease
Chronic renal disease
Chronic endstage kidney disease
Renal dysplasia
Neoplasia
What are the key signs of acute renal disease on ultrasound?
Renomegaly
Rounded, hazy looking kidney
Retroperitoneal effusion
Reduced corticomedullary definition
Corticomedullary rim signs
Hyperechogenicity
|Acute renal disease can look normal on ultrasound
What are the key signs of chronic renal disease on ultrasound?
Bilateral changes (both kidneys)
Heterogenous renal cortices
Reduced corticomedullary definition
Indentations
What is indicated by indentations in the renal surface on ultrasound?
Indentations on the renal surface on ultrasound indicate chronic infarcts
What is renal dysplasia?
Renal dysplasia a congenital renal disease where one or both kidneys do not develop normally in utero
What are the signs of renal dysplasia on ultrasound?
Reduced corticomedullary definition
Abnormal margins of the kidney
Small kidney
|Usually presents in young animals but can be seen in older animals
What are the signs of chronic end stage kidney disease on ultrasound?
Disruption of normal renal architecture
Small kidney
|Usually presents in older animals
What are the differential diagnoses for renal pelvis dilatation on diagnostic imaging?
Hydronephrosis due to urinary obstruction
Pyelonephritis
Neoplasia
What is hydronephrosis?
Hydronephrosis is the dilatation of the renal pelvis as a results of a urinary flow obstruction
What are the key signs of hydronephrosis on ultrasound?
Dilated renal pelvis
Dilated ureter
What should you do if you identify hydronephrosis on ultrasound?
If you identify hydronephrosis on ultrasound you should use the ultrasound to follow the ureter to identify the site os urinary obstruction and check the other kidney and ureter for any changes