A kidney ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure that uses sound waves to capture images of a person’s kidneys. It can help diagnose chronic urinary problems, kidney stones, or tumors. Patients should have a full bladder during the procedure and avoid drinking soda. Results are reviewed by a doctor, and further tests or treatments may be necessary depending on the findings. If a kidney cyst or tumor is found, a biopsy may be needed to determine if it is cancerous or benign.
An ultrasound uses inaudible sound waves to capture images of internal organs. A kidney ultrasound is used specifically to obtain pictures of a person’s kidneys. A doctor might order a kidney ultrasound if a person has chronic urinary problems, is suspected of having kidney stones, or to see if a kidney tumor is present.
One benefit of this type of ultrasound is that it’s a non-invasive procedure, so patients who may already be in pain won’t need to experience any additional discomfort. Patients are encouraged to drink only water on the morning of the ultrasound and should specifically avoid drinking soda. An ultrasound of the renal system should be performed on a person with a full bladder for the images to be as accurate as possible.
The procedure is performed by a qualified technician. A patient will need to expose their stomach so the technician can spray gel on the area. The test administrator will then probe the area to capture the necessary images. An ultrasound typically takes 45 minutes or less to perform. The procedure is non-invasive, so patients are free to urinate after the ultrasound is done and can continue with their daily routines.
A doctor will schedule a meeting with the patient to review the results. The sonographer who performed the test is not authorized to discuss the results with the patient. Depending on the findings in the images, a doctor may be able to make a diagnosis of a condition or more tests may be needed.
A patient who has been diagnosed with kidney stones may need additional procedures if the stones do not leave the body naturally. One treatment available is shock wave therapy, in which a doctor can break down kidney stones to shrink them. As a last resort, surgeries to remove the stone are also available.
When a kidney cyst or tumor is found on a kidney ultrasound image, a doctor may decide to take a biopsy to find out whether the lump is cancerous or benign. A kidney biopsy usually requires a short hospital stay and some time off work. A patient may experience pain after the procedure, and the doctor will likely prescribe narcotics on a short-term basis so the patient can find relief. If the lump turns out to be cancerous, the doctor will work with the patient to find the best type of cancer treatment available.
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