With today's advancements in diagnostic imaging, an X-ray is just one of the many imaging tools available to determine a patient's kidney function. It is important to always have both kidneys imaged for comparison.
A small dose of ionizing radiation is used to produce images of the internal structures of the body.
Some x-ray procedures may use an iodine-based contrast or barium to boost visibility in specific organs, tissues, blood vessels, and bone.
Renal scintigraphy can provide unique information on kidneys' often unattainable using other diagnostic imaging.
It uses small amounts of radioactive materials called radiopharmaceuticals, a tiny camera and a computer designed to evaluate the kidney's function to determine how well they are working.
Ultrasound imaging uses a probe to generate sound waves and produce pictures of the body's internal structures. It has no known harmful effects and provides a clear picture of soft tissues to x-ray images.
Often used to help diagnose unexplained pain, swelling, infection and in imaging guidance for needle biopsies or to see and evaluate conditions related to blood flow.
Computed tomography (CT) is a diagnostic imaging test that creates detailed images from the cross-sectional images generated during scanning. CT scan can be reformatted in multiple planes and can even generate three-dimensional images.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of the body's internal structures. With highly detailed imaging, it is easier in some instances to identify a disease.
Radiography ( X-ray)
X-ray: are often the initial assessment for kidney stones and to measure the size and shape of the kidney. Both kidneys should be filmed for comparison and creating a baseline.
Renal Ultrasound
Renal Ultrasound: This imaging exam uses high-frequency sound waves to view the kidneys in real time, and is often the second test obtained to examine the kidneys.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
This procedure is used to evaluate patients with blood in the urine, to identify issues in patients with frequent urinary tract infections and follow patients with a history of urinary collecting system cancers.
Scintigraphy
During this nuclear medicine examination, the kidneys are evaluated using a radiotracer and a gamma camera. This test can provide information about both the function of the kidneys by allowing the radiologist or nuclear medicine physician to see how the kidney functions and excretes urine.
Time for the results. Make sure you have our list of questions and the answers you need.
There are 5 stages and a GFR test confirms both stage of disease and function.
Blood passes through a dialyzer in the process to clean the blood removing toxins & extra fluids.
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