Radiography allows you to study the structure and structural features of internal organs. Urography - an x-ray of the kidney - is considered one of the effective ways to examine the urinary system, according to the results of which the doctor can make a final diagnosis and prescribe therapeutic therapy.
What is an x-ray?
X-ray irradiation is a procedure in which short electromagnetic waves pass through the body. "Translucence" allows you to see any pathological abnormalities - displacements and bone fractures, neoplasms in soft tissues. The result is displayed on a special film (radiography) or on the screen (fluoroscopy).
Irradiation in large doses is dangerous for the body and can cause mutations, abnormal development. In medical practice, low-energy rays are used, which are safe and do not cause side effects. The necessary dose for X-ray examination is calculated depending on the diagnosed part of the body (organ) and the apparatus used.
X-ray of the kidneys: indications for examination
In order to make an x-ray of the kidneys, there are quite a lot of indications, which include:
- Pain in the lumbar spine.
- The presence of blood impurities in the urine.
- Infectious damage to the urinary system.
- Renal colic.
- Injury, injury to the lower back.
- Violation of the normal functioning of the kidneys.
- Deviations in the results of urine tests.
- High blood pressure.
- Suspicion of urolithiasis.
- Follow-up examination after surgery.
An x-ray of the kidney and urinary tract is prescribed by the attending physician (therapist, urologist) to each patient strictly according to indications. The method is often used as a clarifier after other types of examinations, for example, ultrasound. Specialists in the field of radiation diagnostics determine the type of study and the procedure.
X-ray (urography) of the kidneys: types of research
Depending on the indications, the patient is prescribed a certain type of radiography of the urinary system and kidneys. The simplest is a review x-ray, during which you can evaluate the size, shape, and location of the kidneys. Translucent large stones composed of calcium. This is a routine examination of the urinary system when you first seek medical help.
The procedure of intravenous urography consists in the introduction of a contrast agent and monitoring the excretory function of the kidneys. Pictures of the organ are taken at a time when the kidneys begin to accumulate the substance, taking it from the blood, and at the time of isolation. An X-ray of the kidneys with contrast allows you to get a clearer image on the film. If you need to enter a large amount of substance with a dropper, such a study is called infusion urography.
Computed tomography is the most advanced examination method, which is based on the use of x-ray exposure. A special apparatus - a scanner - reads the received information and displays the result in the form of a three-dimensional image. This allows you to see the condition of the blood vessels and tissues of the kidney.
Contrast urography
An X-ray of the kidneys using a contrast agent allows you to see pathological changes in the structure of the organ, tumor, soft tissue ruptures, various cysts and stones. This is one of the most reliable methods for identifying urinary tract pathologies. Intravenous urography is carried out with the introduction of iodine-containing substances into the vein ("Urografin", "Ultravist", "Omnipack"). In order to study the condition of the organs, the pictures are taken at certain time intervals - at 6, 15 and 21 minutes. The specialist monitors the functioning of the kidneys, the rate of filtration of blood plasma and the ability to convert it into urine.
Contrast pyeloureterography involves the administration of sterile iodine-based drugs using a urinary catheter. Only a doctor can prescribe an x-ray of the kidneys with contrast after reading the patient’s history. The method has some contraindications, therefore, before the procedure, the patient must pass laboratory tests. A few days before the urography with a contrast medium, you need to start preparing the body.
What does kidney radiography show?
An X-ray of the kidney is the first step in the diagnosis of various pathological conditions of the urinary system. The procedure helps to detect the following abnormalities:
- Congenital malformations - the absence of one kidney.
- Increase in kidney size - observed with hydronephrosis, polycystic, diabetes mellitus.
- Uneven contours of the organ - indicate polycystic, pyelonephritis.
- Omission of the kidney.
- A decrease in kidney size indicates chronic pyelonephritis, and one kidney indicates congenital hypoplasia.
- Rupture of soft tissues of an organ.
- The presence of kidney stones.
- Tumor.
For the diagnosis of various diseases of the urinary system, the most accurate method is precisely x-ray. Oxalate and phosphate kidney stones are clearly visible in the picture. You can find out their size, shape and exact location. Urography with contrast gives a complete picture of the state of the entire urinary system. Urate formations are practically invisible on conventional radiography, so they are diagnosed using ultrasound examination.
Kidney X-ray in children
Radiography can be used in pediatrics for strict indications. Examination using this method can be done at any age, even in newborns. The doctor, when prescribing an x-ray, talks about the need for this type of diagnosis and the possible consequences in case of parental failure. Indeed, not everyone is ready to expose the child to radiation, but modern medical x-ray machines can reduce the negative consequences of the procedure.
An X-ray of the kidneys and the genitourinary system with contrast is not carried out in children in the first week of life, with developmental abnormalities and impaired renal function.
How is the procedure going?
Before prescribing a radiography, the attending physician must make sure that the patient has no contraindications to its implementation. The patient agrees to the examination and administration of a contrast medium (if necessary).
Many are familiar with this type of diagnosis, but not everyone knows how to do an X-ray of the kidneys. First of all, before the procedure, it is necessary to remove all metal objects, jewelry. The patient may be offered to drink sedatives or to take an anesthetic injection.
First, a review urography is performed, during which the state of the entire urinary system is assessed. If no serious pathologies are detected, the nurse makes a trial introduction of contrast. This is necessary in order to check the allergic reaction of the body. In the absence of such a contrast agent is administered intravenously to the patient. If a contrast x-ray of the kidneys is done to the child, then before the procedure, the specialist is obliged to calculate the dose of the substance by age and weight.
At the 5-7th minute, the first picture is taken, in which the contrast is in the pyelocaliceal system. In the second picture (15-17th minute), the substance passes through the ureter. When the contrast enters the bladder, the last x-ray is taken (20-23rd minute). During the procedure, the patient can be in both vertical and horizontal position.
Deciphering the results
An X-ray of the kidneys with a contrast agent allows you to get a clear picture of the urinary tract, as well as the pelvic organs. The images obtained in the radiography room should be referred to the attending physician, who must interpret them correctly and make the final diagnosis.
The form, localization, contours of organs are taken into account. It is quite difficult to decipher the results of the examination yourself, without having the appropriate education.
How to prepare for a kidney x-ray
In order to get high-quality images, you need to properly prepare for kidney x-ray. A few days before the procedure, the patient must adhere to a diet that is aimed at reducing gas formation. To cleanse the intestines, it is better to make an enema or take laxatives. Children also need kidney x-ray preparation. Before the procedure, the kids are given Espumisan.
Before doing an x-ray of the kidney, it is necessary to take tests that will help eliminate kidney failure. If medicines are taken, a doctor should be warned about this. Do not eat food a few hours before the procedure. Infants are allowed to drink. Parts of the body that are not examined are protected by a special screen, a lead apron.
During operation of the x-ray machine, you must be calm and not move. One of the parents may be with a small child. If the result is blurry, fuzzy images, the procedure will have to be repeated, and this is an extra radiation load and stress for the child.
Contraindications to kidney radiography
X-ray procedure is prohibited in the following cases:
- The period of breastfeeding.
- Renal failure.
- Severe condition of the patient (the need for intensive care, shock).
- Allergic reaction and intolerance to the components of contrast agents.
- Diabetes mellitus and pregnancy (X-rays are carried out only under strict indications, if the potential benefit of the diagnosis exceeds the harm done).
If an X-ray is prohibited according to indications, the doctor selects alternative diagnostic methods. This may be magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound.
Possible side effects of X-ray with contrast
Most often, an allergic reaction to the injected contrast agent appears: swelling, redness, itching. In the event of such signs, antihistamines are administered to the patient .
At the site of the puncture of the vein, suppuration, swelling may appear. Patients complain of fever and general malaise. With these symptoms, urgent medical attention is needed.
To eliminate unwanted side effects before an X-ray, the patient must pass all the tests to make sure there are no contraindications.