Our radiology team is part of a group of organizations participating in the Image Gently initiative, launched in 2008, to raise awareness about methods to reduce radiation dose during pediatric medical imaging exams.
If a urinary tract stone is suspected in your child, the physician will order radiologic testing to confirm the presence of a stone. Some types of radiologic testing that may be ordered include:
Renal Ultrasound
The most common radiologic test used to diagnose a urinary tract stone is the renal ultrasound. The technician uses a hand-held device known as a transducer. This is a painless test using sound waves to take pictures of the kidneys, ureters and bladder. The images created may show the location of any stone(s).
Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
X-ray technology is used to create three-dimensional (3-D) pictures of sections of the body to determine the location(s) of the stones(s). The CT scan requires the child to lie flat on a table that slides into a doughnut-shaped device. The CT scan may require the injection of contrast dye to aid in the location of the stone(s). The lowest amount of radiation exposure will be used to provide the necessary diagnosis.
KUB (Kidney, Ureter, Bladder)
A quick, simple X-ray uses external radiation to assess your child’s abdomen and view the urinary tract and the presence of any stone(s).
