What is urological ultrasound?
Urological ultrasound is an anatomical-structural evaluation by ultrasound that allows a study of structures of the urinary tract such as the kidneys, ureters, urethra and bladder, as well as diseases that may be found in these organs. In men, the prostate is also studied and the changes it may undergo.
What does it consist of?
Urological ultrasound is performed in the same way as an abdominal or thoracic ultrasound. The patient will lie on a stretcher, normally with the abdomen and lower abdomen uncovered. The specialist will apply a special conductive gel and will pass over the transducer to analyze the area. The images will be displayed on a monitor. Sometimes it will be necessary for the patient to lie on his or her side so that some organs can be seen better.
Why is it performed?
The general practitioner, internist, urologist or gynecologist can take a clinical history and perform a specific clinical examination but, to begin the study of the patient’s problem, urological ultrasound is usually the test of choice in many pathologies of the urinary system.
Preparation for urological ultrasound
No specific preparation is necessary. Thus, it is not necessary to fast, but the bladder must be full, so you should drink plenty of water before the test and not urinate. You should drink plenty of water at least two hours before the ultrasound.
A full bladder makes it easier to visualize the walls and surrounding organs, such as the ovaries, uterus or prostate, in the case of men.
It is not recommended to use creams or ointments on the area before the test, as the imaging test may be distorted.
What does the examination feel like?
The patient will not feel any kind of pain during the study. In addition, it is a very short test that normally does not last more than 15 minutes. It can be longer in the case of a color, 3D, 4D or sonocystography echo-Doppler ultrasound.
Significance of abnormal results
Urological ultrasound is very important, as it can determine diseases and help to control them, such as:
- Pathologies and infections of the kidneys, such as pyelonephritis.
- Tumors and cysts in the kidneys.
- Control kidney transplants and detect possible rejections.
- Nephritic colic, which is caused by the existence of stones in the kidney or ureter. Ultrasound will allow the specialist to see exactly where the stones are (if there are any), and if they are causing complications or obstructions, such as urine not passing from the kidney to the bladder because a stone is blocking its passage in the ureter.
- Hematuria or blood in the urine, whose cause and location can be determined by ultrasound.
- Congenital malformations, such as the absence of any organ, duplicity or malposition.
- To detect alterations in the bladder, such as tumors, or to make a postoperative control.
- Stenosis or narrowing of the renal arteries as a consequence of arterial hypertension.
- Congenital anomalies.
- Study of vesico-ureteral reflux, cause of recurrent urinary tract infections in children. In this case an ultrasound contrast or sonocistography may be indicated.
- Studies of the prostate, measuring its volume and assessing other problems, such as tumors or infections, but also for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
- Diverticula in the gallbladder.
- Trauma.
- Evaluation of post-micturition residue.
- Evaluation of seminal vesicles.