Navigation

Available at these locations in Alberta:

Grande Prairie

Book Now »

Kidney and Bladder Ultrasound

The kidney and bladder ultrasound, a.k.a. renal ultrasound, is a non-invasive procedure that employs pulses of high-frequency sound waves, transmitted via a wand-like transducer, in order to make a visual assessment of your kidneys, ureters and bladder.

This exam is effective in the detection of various kidney and bladder complaints, including inflamed or injured kidneys, structural abnormalities, blockages like kidney stones, urinary tract infection (UTI) complications, cysts and tumors.

PATIENT INFORMATION AND PREPARATION

Special Instructions

  • If you’ve had surgery related to your kidneys, ureters or bladder; have kidney stones or have had stents placed on your ureters or bladder, please be sure to inform your sonographer well in advance
  • If your appointment is booked during your menstrual period, rest assured this will not affect your ultrasound or results
  • Take all prescription medications as instructed
  • Many of these exams require a full bladder and it’s important to let your practitioner know if this makes you uncomfortable. If you have problems keeping a full bladder, you may arrive early to drink your water at the clinic
  • You should empty your bladder 90 minutes prior to your appointment
  • Drink 1 liter of water and have a snack between 90 and 60 minutes prior to your appointment
  • Should you be uncomfortable with such a full bladder, you may relieve your bladder of a small amount of urine but not all
  • Your skin should be kept clean and free of body oils, moisturizers and powders
  • Your clothing should be lightweight, comfortable and suitable for easy access to the skin of the area in question
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance
  • Once the exam is underway, your sonographer will inform you as soon as you may empty your bladder partially or totally, as we understand that a full bladder can be uncomfortable

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR EXAM

  • You may be asked to change into a gown, to give the sonographer better access to the skin of your pelvic area
  • A warm, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic gel will be applied to the skin of your pelvis
  • A wand-like transducer will be moved over the lubricated surface between your hipbones and below your belly button, in order to capture images of the relevant organs and structures
  • Some pressure may be applied with the wand, in order to provide better imagery of the internal structures
  • You may be asked to engage in various breathing exercises, in order to assist in the capturing of better images
  • You may be asked to shift position, lie on your side, sit or stand in order to bring your organs into a better position
  • Be sure to let your practitioner know, should you have trouble holding your bladder at any time during the course of this exam
  • Be sure to let the practitioner know, should you need to move into a more comfortable position at any time during this exam
  • At the end of this exam, you will be asked to empty your bladder so that the sonographer can capture pictures of your emptied bladder to measure the volume of remaining urine
  • Once the sonographer is satisfied with the images obtained, you will be asked to alight from the exam table and get changed, if necessary
  • After review of the images, the radiologist may now choose to sit with you in the exam room, in order to discuss your results
  • You will now be free to leave

WHEN TO EXPECT THE RESULTS OF YOUR EXAM

Our radiologists will interpret your information and aim to forward the results to your doctor by the end of the next working day.

WHAT YOU’LL PAY FOR THIS PROCEDURE

This exam is covered under the Alberta Health Care Plan.