Ultrasound for kidneys – assessment of the renal tract
We kindly ask that all bookings and payments are to be done online below by selecting your preferred location. You need to have a referral letter from a doctor with an Irish Medical Council (IMC) or Medical Council Registration (MCRN) number before making a booking. Please send your referral in to us prior to making your appointment. You can email us a scanned copy or clear photograph of the referral to info@theultrasoundsuite.ie. Once the email has been sent you can proceed to make your online booking.
Alternatively, if your doctor has already sent us a copy of your referral via Healthlink or Email, we will make contact with you to arrange an appointment.
PRICE: €150
A renal ultrasound scan serves to image the organs of the renal tract – this includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and prostate (in males). It is a quick, non-invasive way of confirming or excluding certain pathology in relation to the renal tract. In most cases, your doctor will combine blood tests and urinalysis with this examination in order to come to a more accurate diagnosis.
This scan examines
- The Kidneys
- The Adrenals (in young children)
- The Ureters (if dilated)
- The Bladder
- The Prostate (in males)
Typical requests include
- Query cause for recurrent urinary tract infections
- Query stone
- Query mass
- Abnormal renal function tests
- Query congenital abnormality
How to prepare for a renal ultrasound
The patient is required to have a full bladder for a renal ultrasound. The bladder will be emptied half-way through the ultrasound to confirm that the bladder is emptying properly. You will need a referral letter from a GP with an Irish Medical Council (IMC) number. The referral letter needs to be dated within 6 months of the scan being carried out.
What to expect from a renal ultrasound?
Ultrasound gel is placed on the patient’s abdomen and the organs are scanned with an ultrasound probe. The organs of interest are examined and multiple images of them are taken for analysis by a consultant radiologist. We aim to have the report delivered to your GP within 2 business days following your scan.
How long does a renal ultrasound examination last?
The examination lasts approximately 20 minutes.