Renal Ultrasound is also known as a kidney ultrasound. It is a diagnostic exam that produces real-time images of the size, shape, and location of the kidney as well as the ureters (thin tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder) and bladder.

The kidneys are located just above the waist towards the back of the abdominal cavity and its function is to produce urine from liquid waste products it removes from the blood, regulate blood pressure and maintain a stable balance of salts in the blood.

A kidney ultrasound exam usually includes the ureters and bladder because the waste products which the kidney removes from the blood (urine) is carried by the ureters and stored in the bladder. You will be asked to keep a full bladder by drinking plenty of water.

Reasons for Performing a Renal Ultrasound

A kidney ultrasound may be recommended by a doctor they suspect a kidney or bladder malfunction. Since ultrasound scan are used to produce real-time images of the internal organs/structure, renal ultrasound can be used to assess and diagnose a variety of condition such as;

1. Kidney stone or blockage: Hardened crystalline deposits made of certain minerals that are formed in the kidney.
2. Tumor: An abnormal growth of tissues or cells that may cause abdominal swelling, bloating, and pain.
3. Abscesses: A collection of pus that has buildup within the body’s tissue.
4. Cysts: Accumulation of fluid or lump of fluid.
5. Buildup or obstructions: Swelling of the kidney due to urine buildup.
6. Urinary tract infection
7. Collection of fluid from a cyst or kidney abscess.
8. To assist the doctor in the placement of a drainage tube into the kidney.
9. To guide the doctor during a tissue biopsy of the kidney.

Who Performs the Renal Ultrasound

Renal ultrasound is performed by an ultrasound technologist or technician. A diagnostic radiologist or sonographer is a medical professional who is trained to carry out ultrasound scans and interpret ultrasound images.

Preparation for a Renal Ultrasound

You are asked not to eat or drink anything except water for about eight hours before the scan. In order to keep a full bladder, you may have to drink plenty of water an hour before the scan.

Procedures of Renal Ultrasound

Renal ultrasound is performed in an ultrasound room in a hospital. The procedure of the renal ultrasound takes less than thirty minutes generally. Steps include;

1. Lying down face up on a table in the ultrasound room which usually has dark or dimly light, to enable easy reading of the ultrasound images on the ultrasound screen.
2. A clear water-based gel or conductive gel will be applied to your skin on the area under examination to reduce friction and help the transducer slide across your skin. It is the transducer that sends and receives sound waves to produce the image on the ultrasound screen.
3. The technologist will move the transducer back and forth on the area under examination and occasionally press the transducer down while looking at the screen to enable capture of the desired image that will help diagnose your condition.
4. The water-based gel is then wiped off from your skin.
5. You may be asked to wait for some time while the technologist checks if the imaging was complete.
6. After an imaging test, you may leave.

What you may experience during and after a Renal ultrasound

During a renal ultrasound, you may experience minimal discomfort which is usually temporary as the transducer presses against your skin.

Benefits of Renal Ultrasound

Some known benefits of Renal ultrasound are listed below:

1. It is painless.
2. It is noninvasive which means that there are no injections or needles.
3. It is used as a tool for guiding minimally invasive procedures such as needle biopsy.
4. It is less expensive and easy to use compared to other imaging methods.
5. It is widely available compared to other imaging methods and provides great internal details when accessing soft tissue structures.
6. It is completely safe and it uses sound waves, not radiation.
7. It provides a more clear picture of soft tissues that did not show up clearly on the x-ray.

Payment for Ultrasound

Ultrasounds are paid in full in advance and are non-refundable.  Payments accepted are cash and major credit cards.  Flex Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts are usable in many cases but it is best to confirm with your FSA or HSA manager.  Insurance is not accepted at this facility as prices are very low so patients have access to the care they need.  In many cases it is a lower cost than insurance co-pay amounts.  Patients are not double or triple booked at this facility so you can expect a timely experience.

Results

Your results will be sent to your physician on record who has requested the ultrasound be carried out and/or you within 48 hours.