Ultrasound of the renal arteries: description, features and recommendations

The full name of the ultrasound examination of the renal arteries sounds like "ultrasound triplex dopplerography." This is a modern diagnostic method that is used to establish blood flow disorders in the vessels. The effect is based on the reflection of the ultrasound wave from red blood cells, which allows you to see the vessels in action from the inside. Using this method, you can detect early symptoms of a circulatory disturbance caused by thrombosis, cramping, or vasoconstriction.

What does conducting ultrasound of the renal arteries give?

This technique allows you to assess the state of the lumen of the vessels. Thanks to its implementation, the state of the vascular walls is demonstrated, and in addition, blood flow parameters and its volume are recorded at the speed of the pumped blood. In addition to diagnosing diseases, this method is used to evaluate changes in blood vessels during treatment. Now we find out when such a study is prescribed to patients.

When is it prescribed to patients?

Various pathologies of the kidneys serve as indications for the mandatory appointment of this procedure. With the pathology of this organ and renal vessels, the following symptoms may be observed:

1. Increased patient pressure.
2. The presence of edema in the form of puffiness of the face and swelling of the legs.
3. The appearance of pain in the lumbar region.
4. The occurrence of disorders in urination.
5. Deviation from normal urine tests (presence of protein, blood, or traces thereof in the urine).

Cost

The price of ultrasound of the renal arteries ranges from 800 to 1000 rubles, depending on the region of the country. Next, we find out whether any preparation of the patient is required to undergo the described study.

Does the patient need preparation?

The main condition under which the ultrasound of the renal arteries will pass as qualitatively as possible is the complete absence of gases in the intestine. In order to be able to provide this condition, it is necessary to follow a certain diet on the eve of the study. It is observed for three days before the examination. In order to provide the required conditions for the ultrasound scan procedure, it is necessary to exclude products that promote the formation of gases from your diet. Thus, immediately before the examination, you should in no case eat raw vegetables with fruits along with brown bread, sauerkraut, peas, beans, milk, confectionery, juices and carbonated drinks.

What else does preparation for ultrasound of the renal arteries imply? In addition to the diet, it is recommended to take enterosorbents in the form of Espumisan or activated charcoal three days before the examination. The examination is preferably carried out on an empty stomach. It is convenient to do this in the morning, without breakfast after waking up. True, a six-hour interval between eating and testing is enough.

Proper preparation for ultrasound of the renal vessels and arteries is very important. Deviation from the recommended requirements is allowed only when a person has diabetes or any other disease that requires adherence to a diet, medication and a strict diet. After some other diagnostic procedures, such a study does not make sense. For example, against the background of fibrogastroscopy or colonoscopy, air enters the intestine, which will prevent visualization of the general condition and assess the health of the vessels of the kidneys.

Are there any contraindications?

There are no direct contraindications to the ultrasound of the renal arteries. The considered procedure is considered completely harmless, in this regard, it can be carried out repeatedly. In addition, the main advantage is that there are no age restrictions for performing USDG.

How is the study going?

The examination in question is completely painless and does not cause any discomfort in patients. A person exposes his stomach along with his back, a special gel is applied to his skin, which ensures the best contact of the sensor with the body. Then the doctor moves the sensor and examines the images that appear on the monitor. The doctor records all the results in the patient's card, they are printed on paper in the form of a photographic image. The process of this examination usually takes no more than thirty minutes. Immediately after it, you can start your usual business.

Normal indicators of ultrasound of the renal arteries:

• smooth, clear contours of the kidneys;
• organ size about 15 cm;
• the difference between the two kidneys is up to 2 cm;
• the thickness of the hyperechoic capsule is less than 1.5 mm;
• organ mobility during breathing should be fixed in the range of 2.5-3 cm;
• according to the resistance index, the renal artery normally corresponds to 0.7, in the area of ​​the gate the interlobar index is 0.36-0.74.

Benefits

The advantages of this method are as follows:

1. Painless and non-invasive procedures.
2. No exposure to any ionizing radiation on the body.
3. Relatively low cost,
4. The ability to get an idea of ​​the soft tissues of the kidneys.
5. The ability to assess the state and operation of blood vessels in real time.

Thus, ultrasound dopplerography of the renal vessels allows doctors to quickly, and at the same time, objectively assess the patency of the renal arteries along with their general condition. Conducting this study helps to decide on the need for treatment.

Ultrasound of the renal arteries and blood vessels with Doppler

Possessing high resolution, the ultrasound scan technique significantly improved the quality of the examination, allowing you to look inside the vessel in order to determine the existing violations within the framework of the present time.

Improving the quality of diagnostics was possible due to the ability of the ultrasonic wave to be reflected from red blood cells (which are blood particles) that are in constant motion. In turn, the effect of the reflected pulse (Doppler effect) directly depends on the speed of blood flow in the vessel. According to the Doppler principles, the speed of the blood flow, which is observed during the scanning process of the ultrasound scan of the renal arteries, consists of the following two components:

1. The absolute speed of blood flow.
2. The directivity angle of the ultrasonic beams emitted by a special ultrasonic sensor.

The reflected wave energy in the form of sound pulses can be picked up by the same sensor and goes directly to the instrument screen. In the process of performing ultrasound of the renal blood flow, specialists visually observe the movement of blood in the vessels according to the received graphic photographs.

The cartogram of the reproduced echo signal, made in the format of a seroscale echography using color and spectral Doppler ultrasound, contains information on the quantitative and qualitative parameter of blood flow (namely, the speed and general intensity of changes).

What does Dopplerography of the renal arteries and the organ itself demonstrate?

The potentialities of the ultrasound technique with dopplerography of the kidney vessels enable specialists to evaluate the position of the organ. Thanks to this, the relationship of the kidneys with nearby organs is also evaluated and monitoring of the ongoing change in blood flow, which is associated with pathological vascular disturbance, is carried out.

The actual procedure of ultrasound examination is carried out according to a pleasant protocol with the established rules for conducting the study. A qualified specialist who adheres to standard standards in the process of ultrasound examination of the kidneys with dopplerography performs the following actions:

1. The position, size of the kidneys and their general mobility are determined.
2. Contours are visualized along with the structure of surrounding tissues.
3. Abnormal, and in addition, pathological changes in the diagnosed organ are detected.

The structure of the renal sinus is assessed:

1. For the presence of seals (be it stones, sluggish chronic inflammation, and the like).
2. Diffuse changes that report any particular pathological process that has gone from an acute form to a chronic stage.

Thus, the study of renal arteries is an ultrasound diagnosis and a modern method aimed at identifying various pathologies of the genitourinary system. As a result of this procedure, the state of the kidney, and in addition, its vessels, is assessed. Modern medicine provides for the beginning of the diagnosis of kidneys precisely with the implementation of ultrasound diagnostics. It is worth emphasizing that this procedure is completely painless and does not require any complicated preparation.

We examined what it is - ultrasound of the vessels of the kidneys. Preparation for this procedure is also described.