Imaging of the Urinary Tract

Plain x-rays can reveal opaque renal calculi. They may also be helpful in nephrocalcinosis where there is increased uptake of calcium by the kidneys. CT scan of kidneys, ureter and bladder is the preferred imaging modality looking for renal calculi. CT scanning has a higher radiation dose than plain x-ray but it has a much better sensitivity for detecting a stone both directly and indirectly (eg, by detecting dilated ureter or hydronephrosis). Spiral CT takes only five minutes and no preparation is required. Furthermore, CT scanning can also detect lesions other than renal calculi for example, perinephric abscesses and tumours. [1]