Diagnostic scanning performed to detect anatomic abnormalities in the kidneys, including a tumor, mass, cyst, or kidney stone. It may also be performed to pinpoint the location of a kidney during a kidney biopsy or to examine the blood vessels that supply blood to the kidneys. Specific types of kidney imaging include ultrasound scanning, angiography, CT scanning (computed tomography scanning), and intravenous pyelography.
Methods employed to observe the kidneys, generally conducted for diagnostic purposes.
Ultrasound scanning is frequently the initial examination conducted and is capable of revealing kidney enlargement, cysts, tumors, and the location of any obstructions. Conventional X-rays outline the kidneys and detect most kidney stones, while intravenous urography exposes the internal structure of the kidneys and ureters. Angiography is employed to visualize blood circulation within the kidneys. CT scanning and MRI yield comprehensive cross-sectional views of kidney tissue and the urinary system, facilitating the identification of abscesses or tumors.
Two kinds of radionuclide scans are utilized: DMSA and DTPA. DMSA is administered through an intravenous injection, and it attaches to cells within the kidney tubules, producing a singular, fixed image of the kidneys. On the other hand, DTPA is also given intravenously and gets filtered through the kidneys, later being excreted in the urine. Images captured over a period of time show its elimination by the kidney, offering a measure of the kidney’s functionality.