What kind of kidney diseases can abdominal ultrasound help to diagnose?
Ultrasound can help to diagnose the following kidney diseases:
- Kidney stones
- Hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidney due to a blocked ureter)
- Pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
- Renal cysts (fluid-filled sacs in the kidney)
- Polycystic kidney disease (a genetic condition in which multiple cysts develop in the kidneys)
- Kidney cancer
- Renal artery stenosis (narrowing of the renal artery, which can lead to high blood pressure and kidney damage)
- Chronic kidney disease (a progressive condition in which the kidneys gradually lose function)