Kidney Ultrasound

Renal "Kidney" Ultrasound

The kidneys play a vital role in the filtering of blood waste from the body and the creation of urine. A physician might order an ultrasound of the kidneys to check for anatomy or surveillance for patients who might be suffering from renal conditions that inhibit good function of the kidneys.

Ultrasound is commonly used to evaluate the kidneys in patients of all ages. Because the kidneys are easily accessible through the right and left flanks of the abdomen (far outside margins of each side of the belly), Ultrasound is a great imaging tool to assess renal anatomy.

The right kidney lies in the far right side of the abdomen, next to the liver. The left kidney lies in the far left side of the abdomen next to the spleen. There are many variations of kidney shape, size and location and so each patient is evaluated based upon what their anatomy structure ends up being.

Typically kidney ultrasounds are performed on patients with low or excessive urine output, abnormal kidney lab results, kids that frequently wet the bed etc. The test is well tolerated.

All of the images from your ultrasound will then be sent to a Radiologist (interpreting physician) for a report to be generated for your referring physician. You will receive the results of your Ultrasound from your referring physician or the provider who ordered this ultrasound to be performed. Please refer back to the physician's office that sent you to obtain results of your ultrasound exams.

Renal “Kidney” Ultrasound Prep

This type of Diagnostic ultrasound requires a physician or provider order prior to performing exam.

Kidney ultrasounds require no formal prep. Because the kidneys are located in the flanks or far right/left of the abdomen they typically are not affected by bowel.

Therefore there is no fasting prep necessary. However, if the physician is interested in looking at the blood flow to the kidneys, then a fasting prep is needed.

The patient will be asked to lie on their back on the exam table. Because the kidneys are located to the far right and left typically, patients usually will change into a patient gown to avoid getting gel on their clothing.

In some instances, physicians will ask us to document and evaluate the bladder in addition to the kidneys. A pre and post void bladder are often required in these instances. If your physician is interested in looking at your bladder in addition to the kidneys, please arrive with a full bladder. We will then be able to assess the volume and anatomy of the bladder. After getting those images, we will have you empty your bladder and once again re-evaluate volume and anatomy.

All of the images from your ultrasound will then be sent to a Radiologist (interpreting physician) for a report to be generated for your referring physician. You will receive the results of your Ultrasound from your referring physician or the provider who ordered this ultrasound to be performed. Please refer back to the physician's office who sent you to obtain results of your ultrasound exams.