Urinary tract ultrasound is used to evaluate the structural health of the kidneys, bladder, and prostate gland in men. This non-invasive, safe, and painless procedure allows doctors to detect urinary tract issues quickly and make accurate diagnoses. Tengiz Orjonikidze, a radiologist at the Institute of Clinical Oncology, discusses this topic with us.

When is a urinary tract ultrasound recommended?

 Examination is performed when a patient has any of these symptoms:

• Frequent and painful urination
• Blood in urine
• Lower back pain
• Urine retention or dribbling 
• High fever of unknown origin
• Recurrent urinary tract infections

Notably, bacteriological analysis of urine plays a key role in diagnosing urinary tract infections - it detects the bacteria causing the infection and helps a doctor select the appropriate treatment, while ultrasound remains just an additional test.

Which organs can be examined?

Urinary tract ultrasound examines:

• kidneys (on both sides)
• Bladder
• Prostate – only in men,
• The amount of residual urine in the bladder after urination is also examined
• In women, the kidneys, bladder, and, if necessary, the volume of residual urine are checked.

Does the examination require preparation?

In some cases, for a detailed assessment, the patient is asked to fill the bladder before the examination, which requires refraining from urinating or drinking fluids for a certain period. Additional preparation is usually not necessary, although overweight patients may need preliminary gastrointestinal cleansing and the doctor’s recommended diet.

How reliable is the examination?

Ultrasound is particularly effective for evaluating the anatomical structure of the kidneys and bladder. However, in some cases, such as infections, small stones, or early-stage tumor changes, additional tests may be needed, including:  

• General and urine bacterial analysis
• Computed tomography (CT),
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
• Consultation with a urologist or nephrologist

Which pathologies can be detected?

The urinary tract ultrasound can detect:

• Kidney stones (urolithiasis)
•  Hydronephrosis (severe enlargement of the kidney with urinary retention)
• Cysts and cancerous growths 
• Thickening of the bladder wall or retention of residual urine
• Enlarged prostate gland or other pathologies in men.

Ultrasound is a reliable method for diagnosing stones; however, additional radiological examination (e.g., X-ray urography or CT) may become necessary if the stones are small or when the stone is lodged in the middle part of the ureter.   

How is the examination performed, and is it safe?

 The urinary tract ultrasound lasts 10-20 minutes on average. It is performed in a normal position, on the gel-covered abdomen.  The examination is completely safe — it does not use radiation and can be performed multiple times, as needed.

Accordingly, it can be performed at any age, including children and pregnant women.

For whom is it recommended for prevention?

Preventive ultrasound examination is recommended for:

• Individuals who frequently develop urinary tract infections
• • For patients with urolithiasis or those in the at-risk group  
• For patients with diabetes or hypertension (to monitor the kidneys),
• For middle-aged and older men (to evaluate the prostate gland).

Is the color Doppler used? 

Yes, if necessary, Dopplerography may be performed - a color Doppler mode that allows for the assessment of blood flow in the kidney tissue. This is especially important in the case of vascular pathologies or complicated inflammatory processes in the kidney.  

The urinary tract ultrasound is a reliable, rapid, and affordable diagnostic method that is important for both initial assessment and monitoring of ongoing processes. Timely examination often helps prevent complications and early diagnostics.