patient with renal or urologic disorder; and in most instances it will be the
only one that is required. Renal ultrasonography carries the advantages of
being non-invasive, less costly and does not require special preparation. It
can demonstrate clearly the renal size, contour, echotexture (Figure 2.2),
stone, back pressure (due to chronic obstruction), renal mass or cyst
(Figure 2.3), and perirenal collection. Pelvic ultrasonography may show
bladder mass and calculate the residual urine (amount of urine remaining
in the bladder after micturition). Ultrasonography can also show the upper
and lower parts of the ureter. In addition, ultrasonography can help in
examining surrounding organs and help in guiding needle for renal biopsy
or aspiration of peri renal or peri-vesical collection.
Doppler flow imaging of the renal vessels will assess the integrity
of the blood supply of the kidney (Figure 2.4). It may be displayed with
standard gray scale or in colour (colour Doppler). It may help in diagnosis
of renal artery occlusion or stenosis, renal vein thrombosis and kidney
transplant rejection.
Duplex ultrasonography shows the standard B-mode image with
superimposed Doppler flow informations (Figure 2.5).
- Plain abdominal X-Ray:
For examination of urinary system, this is called plain X-ray
abdomen or KUB (kidney, ureter, bladder). KUB may show : 1-stones
(80-90% of stones are radio-opaque), 2-Calcification of the kidney,
urinary bladder, seminal vesicles or prostate, and 3-In a well prepared
patient with no bowel gases, or by nephrotomogram, soft tissue shadow
and renal contour could be seen (size and shape of the kidney) (Fig. 2.6).