renal ultrasound
Last reviewed 01/2018
Ultrasound is a valuable tool in renal medicine.
Renal ultrasound may be used to measure:
- kidney size
- dilatation of the renal pelvis or ureters
- residual volumes of urine the post micturition bladder
- renal calculi in the renal pelvis or bladder
- cysts or masses in the renal parenchyma
- the prostate - using a rectal probe
The limitations of ultrasound in renal medicine must be remembered:
- it is operator dependant
- it cannot visualise the full length of the ureter
- the resolution is not sufficient to demonstrate pelvicalyceal abnormalities such as papillary necrosis
Indications for renal ultrasound in CKD (1)
Offer a renal ultrasound scan to all people with CKD who:
- have accelerated progression of CKD
- have visible or persistent invisible haematuria
- have symptoms of urinary tract obstruction
- have a family history of polycystic kidney disease and are aged over 20 years
- have a GFR of less than 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 (GFR category G4 or G5)
- are considered by a nephrologist to require a renal biopsy
Advise people with a family history of inherited kidney disease about the implications of an abnormal result before a renal ultrasound scan is arranged for them
Reference:
imaging in acute renal failure
indications for renal ultrasound in chronic kidney disease (CKD)
imaging in chronic renal failure