Kidney ultrasound

The kidneys participate in removing excess fluid, maintaining the water-salt balance, and controlling important indicators of the body. If lower back pain, swelling, changes in urine tests, or increased blood pressure appear, the doctor may recommend kidney ultrasound — a quick and painless examination that helps detect structural changes.

At the Oxford Medical medical center, the examination is performed on modern expert-class equipment. Ultrasound examination helps obtain important information for establishing a diagnosis, monitoring treatment, or choosing further tactics. To undergo the examination at a time convenient for you, make an appointment through the clinic’s contact center.

Ultrasound examination of the kidneys allows assessing their shape, size, location, and the condition of tissues, as well as detecting changes characteristic of various diseases.

During the examination, the doctor may see:

• kidney stones or sand, which may cause lower back pain and urination disorders;
• cysts, benign formations, or other structural changes;
• dilatation of the pelvicalyceal system, which may indicate impaired urine outflow;
• signs of an inflammatory process;
• changes in the size or structure of the kidneys in chronic diseases.

According to the US National Library of Medicine, ultrasound diagnostics is one of the main methods for assessing the condition of the kidneys and allows detecting structural changes without radiation exposure.

In some cases, ultrasound of the kidneys and adrenal glands is performed, which allows additionally assessing the condition of the adrenal glands and obtaining more complete information about the organs of this area. If necessary, the examination is supplemented by assessment of the urinary tract.

When assessing the results, the doctor is guided by normal indicators: the length of the kidneys in adults usually is approximately 9–12 cm, and the thickness of the parenchyma is about 15–25 mm. Deviations from these values may indicate pathological changes, but they are always assessed taking into account individual characteristics.

Doctors of Oxford Medical point out: the results of the examination by themselves are not a diagnosis. The conclusion of the examination is always interpreted by a doctor taking into account symptoms, tests, and the general clinical picture.

This examination is often prescribed when inflammatory kidney diseases are suspected, in particular pyelonephritis, as well as to monitor the condition after treatment or in chronic diseases. The examination allows assessing the size of the organs, the condition of tissues, and detecting possible complications.

Our doctors recommend not postponing the examination if lower back pain is combined with fever, chills, or changes in urine. Such symptoms may indicate an inflammatory process and require timely diagnostics.

Ultrasound examination is considered a safe method because it is not associated with radiation exposure and does not require invasive intervention. Therefore, there are usually no absolute contraindications to its performance.

In some situations, the examination may be temporarily postponed. This is possible if:

• there is severe pain, because of which it is difficult for the patient to remain in the required position;
• there are injuries, rashes, or postoperative wounds on the skin in the lower back or abdominal area;
• the patient’s general condition requires emergency care.

In most cases, ultrasound examination can be performed without restrictions, including with concomitant diseases. If the standard examination is not informative enough, the doctor may recommend additional diagnostic methods to clarify the condition.

In most cases, special preparation is not needed. The examination can be undergone without restrictions in nutrition and without changes in the daily routine.

If ultrasound of the kidneys and urinary tract is performed, the doctor may advise coming with a moderately filled urinary bladder. For this, it is usually enough to drink 300–500 ml of water 30–60 minutes before the procedure and not to visit the toilet before the examination.

During the ultrasound examination, the doctor assesses the organs from different projections in order to obtain the most complete image. For this, the patient may be asked to lie on their back, turn onto their side, or slightly change the position of the body.

A special gel is applied to the skin in the abdominal and lower back area, which improves the conduction of ultrasound waves. Then the doctor carefully moves the transducer, sequentially examining each kidney and adjacent structures.

During the examination, the size of the kidneys, their shape, tissue density, and the condition of internal structures are assessed. If necessary, the doctor takes measurements, compares the indicators with previous results, and records important changes.

The procedure lasts on average up to 15 minutes. After completion, the patient receives a conclusion, which is interpreted by the doctor who prescribed the examination, taking into account the complaints and the results of other examinations.

You can find out the price of kidney ultrasound here. If you need to undergo the examination, you can make an appointment at a time convenient for you by phone or by requesting a callback.

At the Oxford Medical medical center, patients can receive all necessary medical services — undergo ultrasound diagnostics, take tests, receive consultations from doctors, and, if necessary, treatment procedures.

The information is for informational purposes and does not replace a doctor’s consultation.

Sources:

• US National Library of Medicine
• European Association of Urology
• World Health Organization