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Tests for Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are one of the most painful urological disorders. Unfortunately, for men, it is an all too common disorder. Over 3 million men each year are treated for kidney stones, and almost half of that number end up in the emergency room at least one time during their kidney stone ordeal. If you think you have symptoms, see a doctor and begin treatment immediately.

  1. CT Scan

    • A CT scan or known as a Computed Tomography scan, is the preferred test for diagnosing kidney stones. The CT scan will scan the kidney, as well as the ureters, through a circular motion as you move through the machine. The scan provides high detailed computerized images of the kidneys and other surrounding organs, that provides a 360 degree view of the effected area in determining if you have kidney stones. This can be an effective and painless procedure to verify if you have kidney stones, or not.

    Intravenous Pyelogram

    • An Intravenous Pyelogram is an X-ray test that can show the shape, and position of the urinary tract, including the kidneys. During this procedure a blue dye is injected intravenously into your arm, and then a series of X-ray pictures are taken at specific timed intervals. This dye is then secreted through the kidney out of the urinary tract, followed through this process by X-ray intervals. If there are kidney stones blocking your urinary tract this X-ray machine will undoubtedly pick up on them.

    Retrograde Pyelogram

    • This procedure is the same procedure as the Intravenous Pyelogram, but the only difference is the location where the dye in inserted. Instead of the intravenous pyelogram being injected into the arm, the retrograde pyelogram injects the dye directly into your urinary tract to get a more precise look at any possible kidney stone development. This procedure saves the patient time as they don't have to wait for the dye to work itself through the body. However, some men might find this a more uncomfortable option.

    Urinalysis

    • Urinalysis, or urine cultures, are a very common way to detect kidney stones, however it is not always the most accurate. A urinalysis measures several components in the urine, including it's acidity levels as well as if the urine contains traces of blood or calcium. Since kidney stones are made from calcium deposits secreted into the urine, a high rate of calcium in the urine can be a tell tale sign of kidney stone formation. The urinalysis will also test for urinary tract infections, as this may be the reason for your symptoms.

    Abdominal X-Ray

    • An abdominal X-ray delivers an X-ray image of the kidneys, the entire urinary tract, as well as the bladder. These abdominal X-rays are excellent ways of spotting kidney stones, and even though it is not 100% accurate, it is one of the least invasive tests to have done. It is also a good idea to have this test done a few weeks after you have passed your kidney stone to make sure that there aren't any remnants of the stone remaining.

    Ultrasound

    • An ultrasound exam of the kidneys and urinary tract, known as an ultra sonogram, is also used with good success to spot kidney stones. The ultra sonogram works by reflecting sound waves of the kidneys and surrounding organs, to produce a picture of the kidneys sent to a television monitor. This is one of the least invasive procedures you can have done, and it has a high success rate of spotting kidney stones.

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