Importance of Kidney Ultrasound
- Early Detection of Abnormalities Helps identify tumors, cysts, or kidney stones that may not show symptoms in the early stages
- Assess Size and Shape of Kidneys Aids in diagnosing conditions like kidney swelling or other structural changes
- Examine Blood Flow Doppler ultrasound can evaluate blood circulation within the kidneys, helping to detect vascular blockages
Kidney Ultrasound Procedure
- Preparation Generally, no fasting or special preparation is needed unless specified by your doctor
- Application of Gel A warm gel is applied to the back or abdomen to facilitate sound wave transmission
- Moving the Transducer The technician moves the transducer over your skin to capture images of the kidneys from various angles
- Duration The exam typically takes about 20-30 minutes, and you can resume normal activities immediately after
What Kidney Ultrasound Can Detect
- Masses or Cysts Assists in diagnosing tumors or cysts within the kidneys
- Kidney Stones Detects stones or blockages in the urinary tract
- Kidney Swelling Checks for fluid accumulation or inflammation in the kidneys
- Structural Abnormalities Identifies unusually small or large kidneys
Benefits of Kidney Ultrasound
- Painless and Safe No radiation exposure, eliminating risks associated with radiation
- Quick Results Provides immediate insights into kidney health
- Cost-Effective More affordable compared to other imaging modalities