Why do an ultrasound of the kidneys. Ultrasound examination of the kidneys

Every person at least once in his life needed an ultrasound examination of the kidneys. This method of modern diagnostics is extremely common, because it is painless and inexpensive, and also does not have a negative effect on the patient's body. However, to improve the quality of the examination and the accuracy of the ultrasound performed, it is recommended to prepare for this procedure.

Ultrasound of the kidneys and blood vessels

Ultrasound examination of the kidneys and their vessels makes it possible to assess the state of these organs, to see the existing pathologies of the structure, to prescribe the correct therapy when a disease is detected, and to assess the dynamics of the patient's recovery.

Ultrasound of the kidneys is divided into 2 methods:

Unlike X-ray examinations or the use of diagnostic methods using magnetic fields, ultrasound does not harm the body and is allowed to be carried out in infants, pregnant women, and elderly people without limitation in number.

The indications for the procedure are:

• puffiness lower extremities and faces;
• the appearance of pain in the lumbar region;
• problems with emptying the bladder;
• detection of abnormalities in urine tests;
• existing pathologies of the endocrine system;
• kidney injury, organ transplantation;
• hypertension accompanied by headaches, etc.

The position of the patient during ultrasound of the kidneys depends on the suspected pathology.

The need to prepare for the study

Preparing the patient for an ultrasound examination of the kidneys is necessary, since non-compliance with the diet before the procedure is fraught with excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines and, as a result, the difficulty of diagnosis. The appearance of an obstacle in the form of an intestine filled with gases interferes with the normal passage of sound waves, and the information content of the method decreases, it is especially difficult in this case to assess the condition of the ureters and adrenal glands.

Most often, ultrasound of the kidneys is carried out simultaneously with the study of the bladder, so experts recommend filling it for diagnostics.

Video: Ultrasound of the kidneys and preparation for the procedure

Nutrition rules during preparation for the study

Diet is the main part of preparation for ultrasound of the kidneys, bladder and adrenal glands. Prohibited foods should be excluded at least 3 days before the planned study. 8 hours before the ultrasound diagnosis of the kidneys, you must completely refuse to eat. The goal of the diet is to reduce existing inflammatory processes and reduce gas formation.

An hour after the meal preceding the study, it is necessary to take an enterosorbent. The most popular and inexpensive is activated charcoal, the dose of which is calculated based on the formula: 1 tablet per 10 kg of patient weight. For young children and infants, experts recommend using suitable drugs in the dosage according to the attached instructions: Baby Calm, Sub Simplex, Plantex. The listed medicines make it possible to get a clearer picture of the ultrasound examination of the kidneys by ridding the intestines of gases.

You should carefully monitor the preparation for the procedure, following all the necessary prescriptions of the doctor, so that the diagnostic result is not misleading

An hour before a kidney ultrasound, an adult needs to drink 500-800 ml of water without gas and no longer urinate until the diagnosis.

Allowed and prohibited products

The diet provides for the restriction of products leading to increased gas formation. It is also necessary to abandon the use of those dishes that provoke an exacerbation of inflammation processes, if any. This is primarily food cooked by frying, using a large amount of fat and hot spices.

The purpose of the diet in preparation for an ultrasound of the kidneys is to get rid of excess gases accumulated in the intestines and reduce inflammation.

Products that are recommended to be excluded before an ultrasound examination of the kidneys also include fruits containing tannins (pears or bananas). The use of these fruits provokes constipation, however, feces in the intestines, like gases, contribute to the distortion of ultrasonic waves. Sometimes doctors even recommend doing enemas for better results.

During the diet, you should avoid eating foods that cause flatulence.

In general, 3-5 days before the study, it is necessary to reduce the intake of fibrous foods containing a large amount of fiber, as well as fatty and protein foods. This diet will reduce gas production, ease the burden on the intestines, and thus reduce the likelihood of distorting the true results of a kidney ultrasound.

If the patient suffers from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and takes any drugs on an ongoing basis, the doctor who conducts ultrasound diagnostics should be notified about this. So, when taking drugs based on lactulose, the preparation for the study is reduced to nothing due to the increased gas formation caused by the therapy with the drug.

Table: products recommended and prohibited for use in preparation for ultrasound of the kidneys

Drinking regime

There are no volume restrictions on the use of liquid, but it is worth considering that it is best to drink plain water without gas. 3-5 days before the study are limited to:

• alcohol;
• strong tea;
• coffee;
• juices;
• sweet drinks with the presence of dyes, preservatives;
• soda.

Directly on the day of the procedure, you can drink only water at room temperature.

In addition to the main points, it is worth considering that during the three-day diet before the ultrasound, you need to refrain from smoking. Ultrasound examination of the kidneys is not performed with existing open wounds or bandages in the abdomen. If the patient needs a thorough diagnosis in the form of other research options (for example, gastroscopy, colonoscopy, X-ray), then ultrasound of the kidneys is performed last.

If there are jewelry on the body, such as piercings, it is necessary to remove them before ultrasound of the kidneys

Items needed for the examination

Usually, when performing an ultrasound of the kidneys in a private medical center, there is no need to bring anything with you - everything is included in the cost of the procedure. But when carrying out diagnostics in a state clinic, you need to take into account some nuances:

• do not wear expensive or festive clothes, as there is a chance of staining it with the gel applied to the body during an ultrasound of the kidneys;
• you need to take a sheet or a diaper with you, which can be spread on the couch;
• it is necessary to prepare a towel or napkins with which it is convenient to wipe yourself after an ultrasound;
• you should take an outpatient card and referral, coupon;
• Bring a change of shoes or shoe covers with you.

Before the procedure, it is necessary to undress to the waist to the underwear, after which the doctor will tell you what position of the body to take for the convenience of diagnosis.

Features of the ultrasound of the kidneys in children

Usually, difficulties with the diagnosis occur only in babies who cannot control urination due to age. It is not so easy to achieve sufficient filling of the bladder for high information content of the examination in children. Usually babies are fed 15 minutes before the ultrasound or fed breast milk, an older child is advised to go to the toilet 2.5 hours before the kidney exam, and drink water 30 minutes before the ultrasound.

The amount of water consumed depends on the age of the subject:

• up to 2 years you need to drink 100 ml;
• from 3 to 7 years - 200 ml;
• from 7 to 11 years - 300 ml;
• older than 11 - 400 ml or more if possible.

All newborn babies should be screened by ultrasound before the age of 1 month

The author herself has repeatedly encountered the need for ultrasound of the kidneys in newborn children. The first time, having come without preparation for the examination, the child was given an erroneous diagnosis, which was later explained by intestinal gases that interfered with the diagnosis. A month later, a second ultrasound was done with a diet for a nursing mother and medical preparation of the baby. In my opinion, the best drug to relieve bloating in babies is Espumizan - it can be added to a bottle with food or water, and it is also excreted unchanged and does not adversely affect the child. To better soothe the baby, it is also recommended to stock up on toys and rattles. Repeated ultrasound was more informative and successful.

Preparing for an ultrasound for women

Preparation for ultrasound for the fair sex takes place according to the general rules listed above, however, it should be noted that for pregnant women it is necessary to coordinate the medications taken against flatulence with the doctor - a number of contraindications are possible. Also, expectant mothers are forbidden to do enemas, as this can provoke a contraction of the uterus, increase its tone.

Features of preparation for ultrasound of the kidneys in men

Men need to remember to refrain from drinking alcohol and smoking at least 3 days before the kidney examination. Also, compliance with the diet and drinking regimen will allow for a more accurate diagnosis.

Careful preparation for ultrasound of the kidneys in the form of diet, drinking regimen and cleansing the intestines from gases medications provide high clarity and information content of diagnostics. In case of an urgent need for ultrasound due to the appearance of pain or serious injury, a kidney examination is carried out without preparatory measures.

Content

The mechanism of operation of the paired organ of the human urinary system is to filter and smoothly remove decay products from the body. However, the kidneys do not always function at the proper level, which provokes the occurrence of various pathologies. Ultrasound helps to identify pathological processes in time.

When to do an ultrasound of the kidneys

The foundation ultrasound examination kidney is the use of a sound signal that has a high frequency, which helps to clearly visualize the organ. The study does not raise any pain and completely safe. The correctness of the conclusions about the results obtained depends on the experience and level of professionalism of the doctor, so it is better to undergo the procedure in trusted medical institutions.

Ultrasound is performed for various diseases of the urinary system, in the presence of oncological processes, after transplantation of the renal organ. Doctors recommend that healthy people undergo ultrasound examination once a year for prevention. The main indications for ultrasound of the kidneys:

• infectious diseases (cystitis, pyelonephritis);
• poor urinalysis;
• enuresis;
• renal colic;
• acute back pain.

Ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder in children

With the help of this study, the structure, size and anatomy of the organs of the children's urinary system are evaluated. Ultrasound of the kidneys in children reveals diseases such as:

• congenital anomalies of the urinary system and the vessels that feed it;
• sand, stones;
• abscesses;
• cysts;
• tumors;
• enlargement of the renal pelvis;
• various inflammations.

Pediatricians prescribe an ultrasound scan for a child if a large amount of urates or oxalates is found in the urine test, with discomfort and pain during urination, or if blood is found in the urine. A procedure is prescribed for a newborn child if a neoplasm or induration is felt in the retroperitoneal space, there is a suspicion of a developmental anomaly internal organs. Often, doctors advise to do an ultrasound scan for a child if there are pathologies of the urinary organs in his close relatives.

Ultrasound of the kidneys during pregnancy

An ultrasound examination is not mandatory for women during pregnancy, but it is done frequently. During pregnancy, kidney pathologies are common, because the urinary organs work more intensively, the load increases, which provokes inflammation and exacerbation of chronic pathologies. Ultrasound of the kidneys in pregnant women is indicated in the following cases:

• deviation from the norm of urine analysis;
• the presence of any renal pathologies;
• back injury;
• endocrine diseases;
• promotion blood pressure;
• blood impurities or unusual color of urine;
• violation of the act of urination;
• lower back pain.

How to prepare for a kidney ultrasound

For the procedure to be effective, you should carefully prepare for it. Ultrasound is excellent at penetrating liquid in the body, but it cannot pass if there is air in it. For this reason, preparation for an ultrasound of the bladder and kidneys begins with the removal of gas that accumulates in the abdomen. To do this, three days before the study, you must keep a special diet, and then drink activated charcoal. On the day of the procedure, it is advisable to clean the intestines with an enema.

Is it possible to eat before an ultrasound of the kidneys

To prepare for the examination, it is necessary to exclude such foods as bakery products, cabbage, potatoes, raw vegetables / fruits, dairy products, chocolate, sweets from the diet a couple of days before it. Is it possible to eat before ultrasound of the kidneys and abdominal cavity? Immediately before the procedure, it is forbidden to eat food for 8 hours. Ultrasound of the kidneys is performed on an empty stomach. When the examination is scheduled for the afternoon (for the second half), then you can eat in the morning until 11 o’clock, but only foods allowed by the diet.

Do I need to drink water before a kidney ultrasound

If the ultrasound is performed exclusively on an empty stomach, then the amount of liquid drunk before the procedure can not be limited. Do I need to drink water before an ultrasound of the kidneys and adrenal glands? It is allowed to drink immediately before the study. If the patient is simultaneously viewed bladder, then an hour before the procedure, the doctor will advise you to specially prepare, that is, drink 1-1.5 liters of non-carbonated drink. You can drink liquid right before treatment room. Water, compote, tea or fruit drink is better for these purposes.

Types of ultrasound of the kidneys

Now ultrasound examination of the kidneys is carried out by various methods, which helps doctors to detect tumors and inflammations on the kidneys. early stage. Urological practice uses the following diagnostic options:

1. Dopplerography or Color Doppler mapping (CDC). Conducted to study the renal vessels. The technology of the method is based on the fluctuation of the frequency of sound waves, which change after a collision with blood (a moving object). As a result, the doctor receives information about the presence of inflamed vessels and the nature of blood flow in the renal tubules. This method is based on the Doppler Effect.
2. Ultrasonography (sonography). This type of study determines violations in the topography, detects stones and tumors, and reveals renal parenchymal changes. It is based on the principle of reflection of high-frequency waves from tissues, muscles and other dense structures of the body. During the session, the specialist receives complete structural information about the organ under study.

How is an ultrasound of the kidneys done?

Examination of the urinary system is performed standing, sitting, lying down or on your side. The sonologist applies a hypoallergenic water-based gel to the patient's skin to ensure full contact of the body surface with the sensor. This increases the level of transmission of ultrasonic waves. First, the procedure for ultrasound of the kidneys and adrenal glands is carried out in the lumbar direction, then oblique and transverse sections are studied. In this case, the specialist moves the sensor to the lateral and anterior part of the abdomen, and the patient turns alternately to the right and left sides. Technique helps to see:

• location, size, shape of organs;
• condition of the parenchyma, renal pelvis, calyces, sinuses.

To determine the mobility of organs and improve their visualization, the doctor asks the patient to take a breath and / or hold his breath after changing the position. The necessary departments are viewed much better on inspiration. In a standing position, the procedure is performed if there is a suspicion of nephrosis. On the side or sitting, ultrasound is performed to view the renal vessels. The duration of the examination is no more than half an hour.

The size of the kidneys is normal according to ultrasound

The interpretation of the results is done only by the doctor. In conclusion, the specialist indicates the number of organs, their location, size, shape, mobility, describes the condition of the ureters, adrenal glands, tissue structure. Ultrasound diagnosis of the kidneys is considered normal if the contours of the organ are even in the photo, the fibrous capsule is clearly defined, and the tissues have a homogeneous structure. The renal pelvis should not be dilated, the organs are located at the level of the first and second vertebrae, and the thickness of the parenchyma is 15-25 cm.

Adult kidney size is normal

The left kidney should be higher than the right. Some mobility is allowed up to 2 cm in vertical position. The shape of healthy organs should be bean-shaped (bean grain), and the size is constant, but a slight difference between them up to 1 cm is allowed. The norm of the kidneys according to ultrasound in adult men and women: width 5-6 cm, length 10-12 cm, thickness 4- 5 cm. 1 organ weighs up to 200 grams. An increase in parameters may indicate the presence of inflammatory processes or diseases such as hydronephrosis or pyelonephritis. Size reduction occurs with hypoplasia.

The norm of kidneys in children

The price of an ultrasound examination is no different for an adult or a child, but they have different standards. For a normal determination of the size of paired organs, it is necessary to conduct a correlation analysis between body weight, age, height and sex of the child. There are certain tables that a specialist must take into account when deciphering the diagnosis.

The norm of the size of the kidneys according to ultrasound in children is difficult to determine, because each child develops in different ways. Development can be guided by average indicators. For example, the size of the kidneys in a newborn baby is 4.9 cm. From three months to a year, the organs increase to 6.2 cm. Then, until the age of 19, they should normally grow by 1.3 cm every 5 years.

What does an ultrasound of the kidneys show?

The range of pathologies of the urinary system is very wide. After an ultrasound examination, a decoding of an ultrasound of the kidneys can show the following diseases:

1. Pyelonephritis. Infection of the renal pelvis, which eventually passes into the parenchyma. The disease goes into acute form or chronic.
2. Urolithiasis disease. Pathology is characterized by the presence of stones in the pelvis, bladder or along the ureter.
3. Renal block. The cessation of the outflow of urine due to swelling or inflammation in any part of the urinary system. This condition can be caused by a stone, blood clot, or trauma.
4. Thrombosis of the renal vein. Complete or partial blockage occurs due to a blood clot, increased echogenicity parenchyma, enlarged organ size, or if there is fluid in the tissues.
5. Damage to the organs of the urinary system. These include many diseases for which no treatment has been carried out. The condition can also occur after an injury.
6. Prostatitis. The disease affects the strong half of humanity. Inflammation of the prostate accompanied severe pain in the perineum or lower back, urination disorder, discomfort during intercourse.

Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the kidneys is a classic diagnostic method that allows you to safely and painlessly assess the condition of the kidneys, identify possible pathologies and take timely action to address them.

There are two types of ultrasound of the kidneys:

• Ultrasonography is an ultrasound diagnostic method that reveals a variety of changes in kidney tissues, inflammatory processes, tumors, cystic formations, stones and other pathologies;
• Doppler ultrasound (USDG) - ultrasound of the kidney vessels visualizes various lesions of the renal blood vessels: thrombosis, stenosis (narrowing), trauma, etc.

On a note: Ultrasound examination of the kidneys does not cause any harm to the human body - it does not use X-rays or magnetic fields. Therefore, the procedure is prescribed for adults and children, including newborns, the elderly and pregnant women. It is allowed to perform renal ultrasound even for patients with pacemakers and insulin pumps. There are no restrictions on the frequency and number of examinations.

Indications

The attending physician (therapist, urologist, nephrologist, surgeon, oncologist) can prescribe an ultrasound scan of the kidneys if any pathology of the urinary system is suspected, as well as in the program for diagnosing the underlying disease, if violations in the kidneys are its complication.

Very often, ultrasound of the kidneys is combined with ultrasound of the bladder and abdominal organs.

The main complaints that can cause ultrasound of the kidneys:

• periodic or persistent pain in the lumbar region;
• headaches due to increased blood pressure;
• edema of various localization with unidentified causes;
• chronic or acute kidney failure;
• traumatic injuries in the region of the ribs and lower back;
• inflammatory processes;
• suspicion of the presence of neoplasms;
• emphysematous pyelonephritis (accumulation of gases in the renal parenchyma);
• deviations from the norm in blood tests, urine;
• screening before kidney surgery.

Renal ultrasound is also used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

Indications for mandatory renal ultrasound in pregnant women

Important! Ultrasound of the kidneys during pregnancy is not necessary, but due to the fact that during the period of bearing a child, the load on the kidneys of a pregnant woman increases many times, doctors often recommend undergoing a preventive examination.

An ultrasound of the kidneys during pregnancy is necessary in the following cases:

• violation of the norm in urine tests and / or a change in its color, the identification of various impurities;
• violation of urination (frequent, painful);
• pulling back pain for a long time;
• often occurring severe swelling of the face, legs;
• any injury to the abdomen or lumbar region;
• chronic kidney disease diagnosed before or during pregnancy.

There are no contraindications for ultrasound of the kidneys.

Preparing for an ultrasound of the kidneys

To obtain the most accurate and informative results, the bladder of the subject must be filled, and the intestines must be freed from feces and gases. This requirement is due to the property of ultrasound to freely penetrate through liquid media and reflect from voids (places of accumulation of gases and air).

• Within 3 days before the ultrasound of the kidneys, it is necessary to follow a diet that restricts foods that increase gas formation in the intestines: milk and cream, black bread, legumes, vegetables and sweet fruits, carbonated drinks, yeast bakery products, etc .;
• 1-2 days before the ultrasound of the kidneys, you can take medicines that improve intestinal motility and eliminate flatulence (Motilium, Espumizan, Smecta, Enterosgel, activated charcoal). Pregnant women should only be allowed to take these drugs by a doctor;
• Dinner on the eve of the procedure should be light and no later than 19.00;
• In case of problems with the intestines (stubborn constipation, bloating), before ultrasound of the kidneys, you need to do a cleansing enema or take a laxative the night before and in the morning, directly on the day of the examination;
• 1-2 hours before the examination, it is necessary to fill the bladder by drinking about 1 liter of non-carbonated water, and do not urinate.

Methodology

Examination of the kidneys and urinary system is carried out in several positions: lying down, on the side, standing or sitting. The sonologist applies a hypoallergenic water-based gel to the patient's skin to ensure the most complete contact of the sensor with the surface of the patient's body and increase the level of transmission of ultrasonic waves.

First, the kidneys are examined in the longitudinal direction ( lumbar region), then study the transverse and oblique sections, moving the sensor to the anterior and lateral surfaces of the abdomen. In this case, the patient is asked to alternately turn on the right and left side. This technique allows you to determine the localization (location) of the kidneys, their size and shape, assess the condition of the parenchyma, renal sinuses, calyces and pelvis.

To determine the mobility of the kidneys and improve the visualization of organs with each change in body position, the doctor asks the patient to inhale and hold his breath for a few seconds. On inspiration, the kidneys descend from under the costal arch and are viewed much better. Ultrasound of the kidneys while standing is done with suspicion of nephroptosis (omission of one or both kidneys).

UZDG (ultrasound of the vessels of the kidneys) is performed in the position of the patient lying on his side or sitting. There are no specific features of this procedure. The doctor also moves the transducer over the patient's skin surface, carefully studying the constantly changing images on the monitor.

The duration of the whole procedure is about half an hour.

Deciphering the results

The interpretation of the results of the study is performed only by a sonologist. In conclusion, the specialist indicates the number of kidneys, their anatomical position, mobility, size and shape, number and condition of the ureters, describes the structure of the pyelocaliceal apparatus and the renal parenchyma.

What does an ultrasound of the kidneys show?

• the presence of benign or malignant neoplasms;
• the presence of stones in the cavities of the kidneys (renal stone disease);
• foci of inflammation, including purulent abscesses, cysts;
• transplant rejection;
• the state of renal blood flow and various vascular defects;
• accumulation of fluid in or around the kidney;
• the presence of air in the renal-pelvic system;
• dystrophic changes in the kidney;
• congenital anomalies, etc.

Ultrasound of the kidneys is normal if:

• There are two kidneys, they are located retroperitoneally on both sides of the spinal column at the level of the XII thoracic and I-II lumbar vertebrae and are surrounded on all sides by a dense layer of fatty tissue;
  • the left kidney is slightly higher than the right;
  • slight mobility of organs in a vertical position is allowed (the norm of displacement at the height of breathing is up to 1.5-2 cm);
• The kidneys are bean-shaped and well-defined. Their size is normal according to ultrasound is constant (length 10-12 cm, width 5-6 cm, thickness 4-5 cm), but may differ slightly in the left and right kidneys (permissible difference up to 1 cm.);
• The thickness of the renal parenchyma varies from 1.5 to 2.5 cm, gradually decreases with age, and reaches 1.1 cm by the age of 60. and less;
• The renal tissue has a homogeneous structure; there are no pathological inclusions (stones or sand) in the renal pelvis.

Common variants of deviations from the norm

Congenital anomalies - one kidney (unilateral aplasia) or doubling of the kidney (additional organ, more often on one side);

Loss of pairing due to surgical removal of one of the organs;

Omission of the kidneys (nephroptosis) up to dystopia (atypical arrangement of organs in the small pelvis);

An increase in the thickness of the parenchymal tissue - inflammation or edema, a decrease - dystrophy of the organ (age or pathological);

An increase in the size of the kidney is a sign of pyelonephritis or glomerulonephritis (less often);

Anechogenic areas (volumetric formations containing air or liquid) - abdominal cysts of the kidneys or abscesses, hyperechoic foci - a sign of ongoing sclerotic processes in the kidneys (glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, amyloidosis, tumors);

Microcalculosis, echo, echogenic formation, hyperechoic inclusion - these terms refer to sand and stones about 4-5 mm. in the pelvicalyceal system of the kidneys.

A form with the results of the study is given to the patient in his hands. It is accompanied by ultrasound images of the kidneys, in which the sonologist points with arrows to the detected pathologies (“hint” for the attending physician). Video ultrasound of the kidneys is provided to the patient in case of detection of vascular disorders or the detection of tumor formations. However, this service is not provided in municipal medical institutions.

Where is an ultrasound of the kidneys done?

Ultrasound of the kidneys is performed in multidisciplinary public clinics and hospitals, as well as in specialized private medical centers. Some non-state clinics provide the opportunity to be examined at any time of the day on an outpatient basis and when a doctor is called with a portable ultrasound sonograph at home. The latter option is very convenient for patients whose motor activity is reduced or completely blocked.

Ultrasound examination of the kidneys is one of the safest diagnostic methods. By means of ultrasound, virtually any abnormal processes and diseases of the renal apparatus are determined. Other prerogative aspects of the procedure include:

• lack of direct contact of medical instruments with the organ (non-invasiveness);
• absolute painlessness of the process;
• absence of contraindications to the examination (the exception is the defeat of the epidermis in the area of ​​the examined organs);
• low time costs for the procedure;
• high information content.

The last point largely ensures proper preparation. To get objective results, you should know what to do before an ultrasound of the kidneys. A separate examination of the kidneys is rarely performed. For the most part, an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity with the kidneys or an ultrasound of the urinary system is prescribed. Based on this, preliminary preparation for the procedure is carried out.

The main recommendations for preparing for a kidney ultrasound examination are aimed at correcting nutrition a few days before the procedure. For people who have difficulty with regular bowel movements and flatulence, preparation should begin 5-7 days in advance, the rest of the patients will need three days.

About food

Changing eating habits will make it easier for the organs to work. An uncongested digestive system and kidneys are easier to study. This will help the doctor to make the most accurate diagnosis of the products. The diet is made up of products that are easily processed by the digestive tract.

You can eat the following ready-made dishes and products:

• cereals cooked on water (milk and creamy base are excluded);
• chicken, turkey, rabbit, lean fish processed by culinary stewing or boiling;
• cheese and cottage cheese with low fat content;
• boiled or vegetable stew;
• boiled eggs;
• light spicy soups.

The diet before ultrasound of the kidneys is aimed primarily at the rejection of products that provoke flatulence. The accumulation of gases in the intestinal cavity is an obstacle to the free passage of ultrasound, and distorts the image of the digestive organs and urinary system on the monitor of the ultrasound machine.

Before the study, it is necessary to exclude from the diet:

• legume source of vegetable protein (peas, lentils, chickpeas, beans);
• sauerkraut, raw, pickled cabbage;
• whole fresh milk;
• yeast baking;
• fruits: pears, apples, grapes;
• raw vegetables: radish, radish, cucumbers, tomatoes;
• sweet dessert dishes;
• chocolate;
• sausage, sausages;
• whole grain flour products, including bread.

Also, the consumption of heavy foods is subject to restriction. Not recommended: fatty pork, smoked fish and meat, potato dishes, canned foods, including marinades and pickles, fatty mayonnaise-based sauces and ketchups, seeds, dried fruits, any nuts.

Dietary nutrition for 2-6 days will allow the doctor to assess in detail the condition of the abdominal cavity and kidneys, and speed up the examination process itself. Meals involve small portions with a 3-4 hour interval.

The culinary method of processing hot products is not welcome. Meat, vegetables, fish should be boiled, stewed or baked in foil, and steam cooking should also be used. Herbal and vitamin decoctions will be useful.

The main question of the preparatory period is it possible to eat before an ultrasound? In the case when an ultrasound examination of the kidneys is prescribed together with an ultrasound diagnosis of the abdominal cavity, it is necessary to maintain a fasting regimen from 8 to 12 hours. During this time, the digestive tract will have time to process food. At the same time, the evening meal should be sparse and consist of easily digestible dishes.

It can be any water-based cereals, boiled or steamed fish of not very fatty varieties (pollock, hake), stewed vegetables (excluding cabbage). Is it possible to eat before an ultrasound of the kidneys, when a separate study of these organs is performed? If the ultrasound is scheduled for the afternoon, breakfast that is not burdensome for the stomach is allowed. When diagnosing in the morning, it is better to refuse breakfast.

For children preschool age the restriction in food before diagnosis is at least five hours. Infants are examined no later than half an hour after feeding. To avoid problems with the gastrointestinal tract, you should not eat up after the procedure. A heavy meal after a dietary diet can provoke dyspepsia (painful and difficult digestion) and difficulty with bowel movements.

Restriction of certain foods is necessary to prevent gas formation in the intestines

About liquid

Drinking regime in the preparatory period should be plentiful and regular. It is allowed to drink water, green or weak black tea, diluted fruit drinks and juices without pulp. It is forbidden to use sweet soda and kvass containing yeast, as these drinks provoke gas formation. Immediately before the diagnosis, the bladder must be in a full state.

This recommendation is especially relevant if, together with the kidneys, an examination of this organ is also planned. It would be useful to prepare water in advance so that you can drink directly in front of the ultrasound diagnostic room.

How much water to drink in order for the procedure to show optimal results? Doctors are of the opinion that one liter will be enough. The main thing is not to empty the bladder, otherwise the preliminary drinking loses its meaning.

With a stable work of the digestive tract, before the study, it is enough to take carminatives for two days: activated charcoal (1 tablet per 10-15 kg of weight) or Espumizan (capsule three times a day).

Patients with problematic digestion (regular bloating, constipation) are advised to add an enema procedure to the drugs on the evening before the ultrasound (enemas are prohibited on the day of diagnosis). You can make a regular enema, 2 liters in volume, or use the modern Microlax microclyster. If there is no opportunity to give an enema, then you should resort to the help of mild laxatives (Guttalax, Fitolizin).

For the smooth operation of the digestive tract, it is useful to use enzyme medicines that improve digestion. Mezim, Pancreatin, Festal should be drunk one tablet during breakfast, lunch and dinner. Properly fulfilled preparation conditions enable the doctor to easily establish diseases of the kidneys and other organs responsible for the process of urine excretion.

In the case when the doctor assumes the presence of not only renal pathologies, but also a deviation from the norm in the work of adjacent vessels, a special type of diagnosis is prescribed - Doppler ultrasound (duplex). Double examination is more effective. It allows you to identify a change directly in the organ, the speed of blood flow and the purity of the vessels (the presence of blood clots, atherosclerotic growths on the vascular walls, expansion or narrowing of the vascular system of the kidneys).

The doctor will tell the patient about the necessary preparation before the study

On ultrasound, the general anatomical structure organ. In the postoperative period, ultrasound is done to monitor the results of the intervention. Duplex scanning of the kidneys is not performed if an examination of other organs of the digestive system is scheduled on the same day, as well as if there are lesions on the epidermis in the area of ​​the organs being examined. If Dopplerography was prescribed, compliance with the preparatory measures for the procedure remains unchanged.

You can’t eat before examining the vessels, regardless of the morning or evening time of the procedure. Duplex allows you to identify diseases in the initial period of their development, when the patient may not be aware of their presence. Ultrasound is performed on an outpatient basis. Treatment is prescribed by a therapist or nephrologist in accordance with the results of the examination. If it was not possible to determine the disease by ultrasound, the doctor directs the patient to a tomographic diagnosis of the kidneys (MRI and CT).

Ultrasound examination of the kidneys is an informative diagnostic method various diseases genitourinary system both in women and in men. Patients should know exactly what to do before undergoing an ultrasound of the kidneys, whether it is possible to eat and drink, because the reliability of the information received depends on this. Preparation for ultrasound of the kidneys should be carried out according to certain rules, which an adult patient can learn about in any ultrasound room.

Indications

The doctor sends a person for an ultrasound scan in such cases:

• pain in the lumbar region;
• back injury;
• vegetovascular dystonia;
• infectious lesions of the genitourinary system;
• renal pathologies of a chronic nature;
• stones in the kidneys;
• pain syndrome during urination;
• enuresis in a child older than five years of age.

Sometimes the doctor can do an ultrasound at a preventive examination. For example, for a person to receive a medical book or when a woman is planning a pregnancy.

What is the procedure

Ultrasound diagnostics is a non-invasive research method that does not require the introduction of a contrast agent, as with magnetic resonance imaging. It is carried out using ultrasonic waves, which do not have a negative effect on living organisms. The doctor sees on the monitor the kidneys of a person, whether it is a child or an adult patient.

Ultrasound is completely safe, so the passage of abdominal ultrasound is prescribed even for pregnant women and children. This study helps at an early stage to identify pathologies and diseases of the urinary system, as well as the adrenal glands, pancreas and prostate and thyroid gland, gallbladder, liver, prostate and other organs, including pure vessels.

When conducting an ultrasound of the kidneys, the doctor sees the presence of sand or stones in them, cystic formations or tumors and other pathologies, which allows timely treatment of the patient. But in order for this diagnostic method to give an accurate result, you need to properly prepare for the procedure.

The study itself is carried out using an ultrasonic sensor, which can be of several types:

1. linear;
2. convex (most often used for ultrasound of the retroperitoneal space);
3. sector.

For the study, an ultrasonic wave generator is also used, a special gel that provides full contact of the sensor with the patient's body and consists of glycerin, sodium tetraborate, copolymer styrene, maleic anhydride and purified water. If a kidney oncology is suspected, a biopsy nozzle with a fixed or variable needle insertion angle is used for research.

Types of ultrasound

The image itself, which the doctor receives on the monitor during the ultrasound diagnostic process, is different and depends on the mode in which the scanner works:

1. A - one-dimensional, obtained by double passage of the ultrasonic beam.
2. B - two-dimensional grayscale tomography in real time.
3. M - one-dimensional image in the form of curves that reflect the amplitude of movements of structures and their speed (used in dopplerography).

In the study of the kidneys and adrenal glands, ultrasound ultrasound can be performed, which allows you to determine if there are any changes in these organs, as well as Dopplerography, thanks to which you can assess the condition of the vessels and arteries.

What is determined by ultrasound

For a doctor ultrasound diagnostics kidneys or adrenal glands is more difficult than the study of other organs. This is due to the peculiarity of their location, structure and versatility. However, an experienced doctor will accurately assess the shape, contours, structure of the pyelocaliceal system and the renal parenchyma. Through ultrasound, you can determine:

• cystic neoplasms;
• tumors (but without a biopsy it is impossible to say whether they are benign or not);
• the presence of sand and stones;
• pathology of structure and development;
• purulent formations.

In addition, during the ultrasound procedure, you can see what size the kidneys are, whether they are located correctly, what is the structure of the kidney tissue.

General principles

In order for the result of the study to be as reliable as possible, you need to know how to properly prepare for an ultrasound of the kidneys. It is enough to follow the recommendations that the doctor will give during the appointment.

Important to remember required list rules that will help in the preparation and fully assess the condition of the kidneys and identify deviations:

1. The bowel should be empty at the time of the ultrasound. Feces or even gases distort the ultrasound waves. To cleanse the intestines, the doctor may prescribe a mild laxative and activated charcoal for detoxification.
2. Approximately three, and ideally five days before the study, you need to follow a diet. During preparation, do not eat foods that lead to increased gas formation (cabbage, peas, beans). It is necessary to exclude from the diet fatty foods and spicy, dairy products, sweet and sweet buns. It is not recommended to eat fruits containing tannins (bananas, pears). It is unacceptable to consume carbonated and alcoholic drinks, as well as coffee and strong tea a week before the ultrasound of the kidneys. During this period, you should drink more ordinary water.

Many are interested in what you can eat before an ultrasound of the kidneys, and drink or not on the day of the procedure. The answer to this question is this: in the evening, on the eve of the study, you need to have a hearty dinner. No need to do an ultrasound on an empty stomach, but breakfast should be as light and nutritious as possible. You can eat a small bowl of oatmeal, it is easily digested and saturates for a long time, because you can’t eat three hours before the ultrasound. However, if the doctor plans to examine other organs of the retroperitoneal space along with the kidneys, it is better to refrain from breakfast. You can drink water before the procedure in unlimited quantities and even take it with you.

Medical preparation

In cases where a person suffers from increased gas formation, the preparation includes taking drugs that reduce this process and ease the load on the intestines. Espumizan helps well, it is allowed to be taken by patients of any age, as well as by pregnant and lactating women. On the evening before, and in the morning on the day of the procedure, drink Smecta, white coal or another enterosorbent.

If a person has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, before the study, during preparation, the doctor prescribes medications that regulate the functioning of enzymes and improve digestion. When the patient is taking any other medication, he must notify the doctor who will conduct the ultrasound examination, since some drugs can lead to distortion of the results on the monitor. Medicines with lactulose in the composition cause increased gas formation and nullify all previous diet and training.

How to clean the intestines before an ultrasound

If there are problems in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as with increased formation of gases and a tendency to constipation, you may need to take a laxative and an enema. It is necessary to clean the intestines no earlier than twelve hours before the ultrasound. In the absence of the above problems, bowel preparation is carried out with a mild herbal laxative preparation.

Diet

For a kidney ultrasound to be successful, a person needs to eat right. This contributes to the fact that the results of the ultrasound are accurate, and the doctor will prescribe effective treatment.

Are all foods edible?

In preparation for an ultrasound examination of the organs of the urinary system, in particular the kidneys, a person should only consume easily digestible foods that do not burden the digestive tract and do not lead to increased gas formation. The best food at this time can be considered buckwheat, rice or oatmeal on the water, to which a little creamy or vegetable oil. You can add lean chicken meat, a light salad without cabbage to the side dish.

Prohibited Products

The list of restrictions before the study includes:

• black bread;

• fat meat;
• smoked meats;
• cabbage (except broccoli);
• coffee;
• strong tea;
• alcohol;
• chocolate, creams, sweets;
• sweets and any pastries.

In addition to prohibited products, smoking is taboo.

Allowed drinks

The liquid used during the preparation for the study should be at the optimum temperature. The presence of dyes, preservatives, gases is unacceptable. In the morning you can drink not too sweet, but rather without sugar herbal tea. Closer to the time of the procedure, it is allowed to use only clean water, you can use mineral water, but without gas.

Pregnancy is not a contraindication to ultrasound examination, as it does not affect the condition of the mother or fetus. An obstetrician-gynecologist leading a pregnancy can send a woman for an ultrasound of the kidneys if she suspects that any pathological process has begun or has worsened chronic illness urinary system.

Any future mom thinks about what to do before the ultrasound of the kidneys, so as not to harm the child. It is necessary to prepare for research during the period of gestation in almost the same way as for any other person, but cleansing enemas can only be done according to medical indications. A laxative for a pregnant woman is selected by a doctor.

Preparation for ultrasound of children

Babies are sent for an ultrasound examination if pathology is suspected. If you need to check the kidneys of a baby, then the mother should prepare, since everything that she uses can affect the child. Four days before the ultrasound, you can not eat sweets, beans, cabbage and other foods that promote gas formation in the baby. Feed the baby himself should be no later than two hours before the diagnosis. For older children with disorders of the digestive tract, the doctor selects the means to eliminate these problems. After the age of twelve, it is necessary to prepare for an ultrasound examination in the same way as for adult patients.

Ultrasound of the kidneys in a child

When dressing a baby for an ultrasound examination, care must be taken that the doctor can quickly get to the abdomen. Arriving at the ultrasound, the baby is placed with his back on the couch, the skin is lubricated with gel for better glide of the sensor and its adhesion to the body. On the monitor, the doctor can see if:

• there is a congenital anomaly;
• the organ is enlarged or inflamed;
• there are stones;
• impaired renal circulation.

Children tolerate the procedure well, and babies sometimes even sleep during it.

Research results

On ultrasound, the doctor determines the main:

• The number of kidneys. There is one, which is a congenital underdevelopment or a postoperative defect, a pair (normal) or more with partial or complete bifurcation.

• The size of the kidneys in length and width. An increase occurs in acute nephritis or oncology, and a decrease in other diseases in chronic form.
• Position. A strong omission of the kidneys or one speaks of nephroptosis.
• The thickness of the parenchyma. Its increase indicates an inflammatory process, and depletion indicates dystrophy due to chronic pyelonephritis, diabetic nephropathy and other diseases.
• Changes in the parenchyma. There is increased or decreased echogenicity, cyst or tumor.
• The condition of the pelvis. The presence of sand, stones, thickened mucous membranes in them.

In any case, it is better not to try to read the doctor's report on your own, but to entrust it to a urologist or nephrologist.

Deciphering medical terms and concepts

Non-invasive method - without the use of needles and surgical instruments.

The kidney parenchyma is a specific tissue that maintains water and electrolyte balance.

Retroperitoneal space - the space from the diaphragm to the small pelvis.

Nephritis is a group of inflammatory diseases of the kidneys.

Nephroptosis is an abnormal mobility of an organ.

Pyelonephritis is a bacterial lesion.

Diabetic nephropathy is a complication of diabetes.

Echogenicity - the ability of tissue to absorb ultrasound.

Norms

In the normal state, and without the absence of any pathologies, anomalies or diseases, the ultrasound indicators are as follows:

To conduct a diagnostic procedure for ultrasound of the kidneys in a woman, man or child, it is necessary to consult with a nephrologist, urologist, therapist or pediatrician. This study does not have any negative effects and is completely safe. If you turn to the doctor in a timely manner for a referral to an ultrasound scan and properly prepare for it, this will help diagnose the pathology at an early stage and cure it sooner.