Radiological imaging of the urinary tract
Radiological imaging of the urinary tract Ultrasound Non-invasive method of urinary tract imaging. While it provides good images of the kidneys and bladder, anatomical detail of the ureter is poor and the mid-ureter cannot be imaged at all by ultrasound because of overlying bowel gas. Uses of ultrasound Renal ultrasound Assessment of haematuria Determination of nature of renal masses can differentiate simple cysts (smooth, well-demarcated wall, reflecting no echoes; benign) from solid masses (almost always malignant; cystic masses with solid components or multiple septae or calcification may be malignant), from those casting an acoustic shadow (stones) Can determine the presence/absence of hydronephrosis (dilatation of the collecting system) in patients with abnormal renal function Allows ultrasound guided nephrostomy insertion in patients with hydronephrosis and renal impairment or with infected, obstructed kidneys Bladder ultrasound Me...