Urinary Imaging Flashcards
(112 cards)
What are the different imaging modalities we could use for the urinary system and what could we use them for? (4)
•Radiography
–Still an important tool, particularly presence/absence, size/shape, mineralisation, ruptures, complex spatial relationships
•Ultrasonography
–Extremely helpful, particularly kidneys and bladder
–Complementary to radiography
•CT (and MRI)
–CT being used increasingly, particularly ureters and urethra
–Contrast CT – gold standard
•Endoscopy
- Useful for direct visualisation of the bladder and urethra
When do we image in a urinary case?
•Concentrate on those cases where clinical signs are severe, or recurrent or persistent in the face of treatment as these are the cases which are more likely to have a physical changes which we can detect
clinical signs and other work-up must suggest changes within the urinary tract that will be detected by the chosen method
•What do we call this imaging plane of kidney? Where renal pelvis is asymmetrical at far edge of image?
•Frontal (dorsal) we are going from greater curvature of kidney in near field all the way through to reach the pelvis on other side
•What is NOT routinely visible on plain abdo radiograph? (2)
–Urethra
–Ureter
•On a VD of a dog abdo, what is the normal range for max renal length?
•2.5-3.5 x length L2
•Which radiograph contrast is used for kidneys?
•IV urogram
•Which radiographic contrast study will give the best mucosal detail in the bladder?
- Double contrast cystogream
- Positive – coat mucosa
- Air – see detail
•How many layers are visible in an U/S image of a normal bladder wall? What are they?
- 3
- Mucosal surface
- Muscle
- Serosa
What does this show?

Left – large soft tissue structure. Non contrast; non filtering enlarged L kidney
R – some contrast in ureter and leaving renal pelvis
What can we use IVU for in regards to kidnye function?
IVU provides only very crude assessment of renal function (excretion)
What do we do if one or both kidneys are not visible?
Investigate further
What is the effect of an enlared left kidney?
- Ventral displacement of colon
- Medial displacement of colon and small intestine
What is the effect of an enlarged right kidney?
- Ventral displacement of duodenum
- Medial displacement of ascending colon
What may a reduced renal size be associated with?
Change in shape +/- opacity
What causes reduced renal size? (2)
•Generally chronic renal disease (older) or dysplasia (young)
what is this?

Small kidney and abnormal ca
Was ist Das?

IVU
Mis-shapen – fibrotic
Small
What are the 2 ultrasound changes of the internal renal architecture?
Generalised increase in cortical echogenicity
Medullar rim sign
What causes generalised increase in cortical echogencitity? (3)
-non-specific change in many renal diseases, e.g. early nephritis or lymphoma, or incidental fat accumulation in cats.
What is the medullar rim sign?
-Hyperechoic band in outer medulla
What causes medullary rim sign? (4)
-Causes include hypercalcaemia, acute tubular necrosis, chronic renal disease, FIP
What are these and what is the significance?
Renal coritcal cysts
Fluid filed cavities.
You will see one or two cysts in the cortex! Often incidental. If you have many cysts e.g. polycystic kidney dx – reduce the amount of functional tissue = problems
what is this?

Dilation of renal pelvis
Chunky ureters
What is going on?

Hydronephrosis/ dilated ureters









































