Urinary imaging

Question 1

What is not normally seen on plain radiographs?

Answer 1

Ureters

Question 2

Where is right canine kidney located?

Answer 2

approx T13-L1/2

Cranially in contact with the caudate lobe of the liver (may not see this margin)

Question 3

Where is left canine kidney located?

Answer 3

Usually slightly further caudal and ventral than the right.

Question 4

What size is canine kidney?

Answer 4

2.5 – 3.5 x length of L2 (VD view)

Question 5

What shape are feline kidneys?

Answer 5

More oval than canine.

Question 6

What can effect the size of feline kidneys?

Answer 6

Neutering.

Question 7

What do contrast agents do?

Answer 7

Used when plain radiography gives insufficient organ detail.

Question 8

Name positive contrast agents?

Answer 8

Barium or iodine. Appear radiopaque.

Question 9

Name Negative Contrast Agents?

Answer 9

Gases, e.g. air or carbon dioxide

Appear radiolucent .

Question 10

Ultrasound appearance of Renal cortex?

Answer 10

Evenly granular, Hypoechoic (occasionally isoechoic) to the liver in dogs. Often more echogenic in cats.

Question 11

Ultrasound appearance of Medulla?

Answer 11

Hypoechoic to cortex. Look for a good ‘cortico-medullary’ definition.

Question 12

Ultrasound appearance of pelvis?

Answer 12

Recognised in the normal kidney by echogenic peripelvic fat.

Question 13

megaloureter/hydroureter is a?

Answer 13

Dilated urethra.

Question 14

What are the three layers of the bladder as seen on ultrasound?

Answer 14

Inner mucosal interface (hyperechoic)
Muscle layer (hypoechoic)
Outer serosal layer (hyperechoic)