To confirm the diagnosis, modern CT equipment is often used - computer tomography. Thanks to it, layered images of the internal structure of the organs with a distance of 3-5 mm are obtained.
What is CT of the kidneys?
A hardware examination can be used during general diagnostics. But more often it is recommended for suspicion of the following problems:
- trauma to the kidneys;
- congenital anomalies;
- infectious processes with impaired renal function;
- presence of stones ;
- oncology.
Like any kind of hardware diagnostics, CT is gradually being improved. If earlier images were received in the form of separate pictures, now the spiral tomograph allows not to divide the image layer by layer. Moreover, the invention of the multispiral device makes it possible to conduct a survey of a specific patient site in just a few seconds.
Preparing for CT of kidneys
CT of kidneys with or without contrasting, does not require any special preparation measures. The only condition is not to eat for 3 hours immediately before the examination.
In case of using a coloring substance, the patient must necessarily inform the doctor if he is allergic to iodine or seafood. This is necessary in connection with the risk of an allergic reaction that can occur as a result of CT of kidneys with contrast, since iodine is most often used as the coloring substance.
How do kidney CT?
The procedure itself is quite simple:
- The patient should come for examination in clothes that do not constrain movement. Otherwise, you have to undress.
- On the body there should be no metal objects, including earrings, piercings - these objects will distort the picture.
- When using contrast, the substance is injected with a special automatic injector. If the injection can not be taken, the drug is administered orally.
- All that is required of the patient is to lie on the table located in the tomograph ring and stay still during the examination.
- Although the doctor managing the scanner is in the next room, he constantly monitors the monitored by monitoring.
- It is necessary to follow the doctor's instructions clearly, for example, to hold his breath at his command.
The duration of usual kidney CT is 5-10 minutes. When using contrast, first take pictures without a colorant and only then inject the drug. Therefore, the procedure is repeated twice and the examination time is increased to 25 minutes.