Roentgen of the kidney: preparation. X-ray of the kidneys with contrast

Radiography allows you to study the structure and structural features of internal organs. Urography - X-ray of the kidney - is considered one of the effective methods of examination of the urinary system, according to which the doctor can make a final diagnosis and prescribe a therapeutic therapy.

What is an X-ray?

X-ray irradiation is a procedure in which short electromagnetic waves pass through the body. "Translucent" allows you to see any pathological abnormalities - dislocations and fractures of bones, 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, anomalous development. In medical practice, low-energy rays are used that are safe and do not cause side effects. The required dose for the X-ray study is calculated depending on the part of the body (organ) being diagnosed and the apparatus used.

Radiography of the kidneys: indications for the examination

In order to make a roentgen of the kidneys, there are a lot of indications, which include:

• Pain in the lumbar region of the back.
• The presence of blood impurities in the urine.
• Infectious damage to the organs of the urinary system.
• Renal colic.
• Injury, bruise of lower back.
• Violation of the normal functioning of the kidneys.
• Deviations in the results of urinalysis.
• High blood pressure.
• Suspicion of urolithiasis.
• Follow-up examination after surgery.

Assigns the roentgen of the kidney and urinary tract to the treating doctor (therapist, urologist) to each patient strictly according to the indications. The method is often used as a refinement after other types of examination, for example, ultrasound. Specialists in the field of radiation diagnosis determine the type of research and procedure.

X-ray (urography) of the kidney: types of examination

Depending on the indications, the patient is assigned a certain type of radiography of the urinary system and kidneys. The simplest is an overview X-ray, during which you can assess the size, shape, and location of the kidneys. Large stones, consisting of calcium, are glossed over. This is a standard examination of the urinary system in the primary treatment for medical care.

The procedure for intravenous urography is to inject a contrast medium and observe the excretory function of the kidneys. Snapshots of the body are made at a time when the kidneys begin to accumulate the substance, taking it from the blood, and at the time of excretion. Roentgen kidney 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, this study is called infusion urography.

Computer tomography is the most modern method of examination, which is based on the use of X-ray exposure. A special device - a scanner - reads the received information and displays the result in the form of a three-dimensional image. This allows you to see the state of blood vessels and kidney tissues.

Contrast urography

X-ray of the kidneys with the use of contrast material allows you to see the pathological changes in the structure of the body, tumors, soft tissue ruptures, various cysts and stones. This is one of the most reliable methods of identifying pathologies of the urinary tract. Intravenous urography is carried out with the introduction of iodine-containing substances into the vein ("Urogramin", "Ultravist", "Omnipak"). In order to study the condition of 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 introduction of sterile preparations based on iodine using a urinary catheter. To appoint a roentgen of kidneys with a contrast can only the doctor after acquaintance with the anamnesis of the patient. The method has some contraindications, so the patient must undergo laboratory tests before the procedure. A few days before the urography with a contrast agent, you need to start preparing the body.

What will show the radiography of the kidneys?

Roentgen 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 deviations from the norm:

• Congenital malformations - the absence of a single kidney.
• The increase in the size of the kidneys is observed in hydronephrosis, polycystosis, diabetes mellitus.
• Uneven contours of the organ - indicate polycystosis, pyelonephritis.
• The omission of the kidney.
• Reducing the size of the kidneys - speaks of chronic pyelonephritis, one kidney - of congenital hypoplasia.
• Rupture of the soft tissues of the organ.
• Presence of kidney stones.
• Tumor.

To diagnose various diseases of the urinary system, the most accurate method is precisely the X-ray. Stones in the kidneys of oxalate and phosphate type can be clearly seen 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. Urine formations are practically invisible to conventional radiography, so they are diagnosed with ultrasound.

X-ray of kidneys in children

Radiography can be used in pediatrics for strict indications. To conduct a survey using this method can be at any age, even in newborns. The doctor at appointment of an X-ray tells about necessity of such kind of diagnostics and possible consequences in case of refusal of parents. Indeed, not everyone is willing to expose a child to radiation, but modern medical X-ray machines can reduce the negative consequences of the procedure.

X-rays of the kidneys and genitourinary system with contrast do not hold children in the first week of life, with developmental anomalies and a breakdown in the functionality of the kidneys.

How does the procedure work?

Before appointing a radiograph, the attending physician must make sure that the patient has no contraindications to its conduct. The patient agrees to examine and administer the contrast medium (if necessary).

Many people know this kind of diagnostics, but not everyone knows how X-rays of the kidneys are done. First of all, before the procedure, you need to remove all metal objects, ornaments. The patient may be offered to drink sedatives or to take an anesthetic injection.

To begin with, a review urography is performed, during which the condition of the entire urinary system is assessed. If no serious pathologies are identified, 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 patient, intravenously injected contrast medium. If the contrast X-ray of the kidneys becomes a child, then before the procedure, the specialist must 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 cup-and-pelvis system. In the second picture (15-17th minute), the substance passes the ureter. When the contrast enters the bladder, the last X-ray is taken (20-23th minute). During the procedure the patient can be in both vertical and horizontal position.

Explanation of results

X-ray of the kidneys with a contrast substance allows you to get a clear picture of the urinary tract, as well as the organs of the small pelvis. The photographs taken in the X-ray room should be attributed to the attending physician, who must correctly interpret them and make a final diagnosis.

The form, localization, and contours of organs are taken into account. Independently to decipher results of inspection, not having corresponding formation, it is difficult enough.

How to prepare for a X-ray of the kidneys

In order to obtain high-quality images, it is necessary to properly prepare for renal radiography. A few days before the procedure, the patient must adhere to dietary nutrition, which is aimed at reducing gassing. To cleanse the bowels, it is best to make an enema or take laxatives. Children also need preparation for X-rays of the kidneys. Before the procedure, babies are given "Espumizan".

Before you do the X-ray of the kidney, it is necessary to pass tests that will help to eliminate kidney failure. If medications are taken, the doctor should be warned about this. Do not eat for a few hours before the procedure. Babies are allowed to drink. Sections of the body that are not examined are protected with a special screen, a lead apron.

During the operation of the X-ray machine, you must observe peace of mind and do not move. A small child may have one of the parents. If the result is blurred, fuzzy pictures, the procedure will have to be repeated, and this is an extra radiation load and stress for the child.

Contraindications for renal radiography

The X-ray procedure is prohibited in the following cases:

• The period of breastfeeding.
• Renal insufficiency.
• Severe condition of the patient (the need for intensive care, shock).
• Allergic reaction and intolerance of components of contrast agents.
• Diabetes mellitus and pregnancy (X-rays are performed only on strict indications, if the potential use of the diagnosis exceeds the harm done).

If you do not take an X-ray according to the indications, the doctor selects alternative methods of diagnosis. It can be magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound.

Possible side effects of X-rays with contrast

Most often there is an allergic reaction to the injected contrast medium: swelling, redness, itching. In the case of such signs, the patient is administered antihistamines.

At the site of the puncture of the vein, suppuration and swelling may appear. Patients complain of fever and general malaise. With such symptoms, urgent medical attention is needed.

To avoid undesirable side effects before x-rays, the patient must pass all the tests to make sure there are no contraindications.