Renal disease imaging Flashcards
Which scans have ionising radiation?
CT
Xray
First line radiological investigation to image renal disease?
suspicion of post-renal causes = US
Normal kidney size
10-12cm
AKI ultrasound signs
collecting system can look enlarged
How does an obstructed kidney look on ultrasound?
dilated renal pelvis
How does a kidney look in CKD?
reduced renal cortical thickness
reduced renal length (small kidney)
increased renal cortical echogenicity
What is urolithiasis?
renal tract calculi
What on ultrasound suggest inflammation?
fat stranding
How does a renal stone look on ultrasound?
sometimes visible stone
posterior acoustic shadowing
add colour - twinkle artefact behind stone
What is a ureteric jet on ultrasound?
helps know if ureter is obstructed or not
scan bladder
put on colour vision
wait for ureteric jet - above certain velocity = ureter not obstructed
What are calcium lumps in the kidney called?
nephrocalcinosis
(calcium in renal parenchyma)
Nephrocalcinosis causes
vitamin D therapy
primary hyperparathyroidism
sarcoidosis
How do renal cysts look on ultrasound?
black blobs
Why do you do ultrasound in polycystic kidney disease?
image to look for complications:
- cysts can bleed, become infected and become malignant
What scan can look for renal artery stenosis?
MR angiogram
digital subtraction angiography (look in real time) - more invasive
