What a Renal Ultrasound Reveals About Your Health

A renal ultrasound is a noninvasive diagnostic procedure that can reveal important details about your kidney health and function, even if you don’t have symptoms yet.

If you’re undergoing a renal ultrasound at Chinatown Cardiology, it may help to know what to expect ahead of your appointment and what the test results might mean for your future health.

Our experienced physicians use the latest imaging technology to evaluate your kidneys and identify underlying health issues that require treatment. They interpret your results and answer any questions you have about the next steps.

An overview of renal ultrasound

A renal ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of your kidneys. This noninvasive, diagnostic test can also produce images of your bladder.

Your kidneys filter waste and toxins out of your blood, which exit the body as urine. The bladder holds urine until it leaves.

The purpose of a renal ultrasound is to detect abnormalities that affect the function of the kidneys and bladder, such as:

• Cysts
• Tumors
• Infections
• Blockages
• Kidney stones
• Structural irregularities

Our physicians can also use a renal ultrasound to identify circulatory problems that restrict blood flow to the kidneys or bladder.

Additionally, ultrasound technology can guide your physician during a biopsy to take a sample of suspicious tissue for further analysis.

Why you might need a renal ultrasound

Your Chinatown Cardiology provider may recommend a renal ultrasound if you have new or sudden symptoms that relate to kidney dysfunction, such as:

• Edema (swelling)
• Muscle cramps
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Blood in the urine
• Changes in urination
• Pain in the back, abdomen, or pelvis

You may also need a renal ultrasound if blood work or other diagnostic tests returned abnormal results, or as a follow-up after you start treatment for a kidney condition.

What to expect during a renal ultrasound

A renal ultrasound doesn’t require incisions or other invasive techniques. Our providers help you get comfortable on an exam table before placing a hand-held ultrasound device on the surface of your skin.

The ultrasound technology delivers sound waves through the skin that bounce off your kidneys and bladder. The images generated appear on an external monitor that your provider watches throughout the test to identify cysts, stones, tumors, and other abnormalities.

A renal ultrasound isn’t painful, but you may feel pressure during the test as the technician works to get clear images of your bladder and kidneys. The test typically takes less than 30 minutes.

When the ultrasound is complete, our specialists review the images of your organs to determine if you need further testing or treatment for a kidney or bladder condition. You can return to your usual routine without limitations after your appointment.

Contact Chinatown Cardiology today to learn more about the diagnostic benefits of a renal ultrasound. Call the New York City location nearest you or request a consultation online.