What Is CT Urography?
CT urography is a non-invasive and painless diagnostic method, which aims to determine the reasons for the appearance of problems in the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, urinary tract, and bladder.
During this procedure, a CT scanner is used in order to obtain the most accurate picture of the morphology and overall condition of this part of the human body.
Besides the CT scanner, it is possible to perform urography with an X-ray machine, but in that case, the recording will last longer and the image won’t be the same quality as it is with a CT or MSCT scanner. The reason for that is the fact that X-ray is an older and less precise method, but it is still applicable in many situations.
CT urography involves the use of X-rays, and during the examination, the patient will be exposed to radiation, the amount of which will be controlled, so the entire procedure is safe. The length of the recording and the level of radiation will not be higher than necessary to obtain quality images and won’t increase the chances of consequences. In addition, the patient is sent for scanning only if it is really necessary and if other, even safer methods cannot lead to an accurate diagnosis.
What Is MSCT Urography?
MSCT (multislice CT) urography is a modern method of imaging the kidneys, renal arteries and veins, urinary tract and bladder, using modern computed tomography devices. It gives excellent and accurate shots and that is the reason why it’s preferred by many.
What Does a CT Scanner Look Like?
The CT scanner looks like a tube that is hollow on both sides, inside it is a bed on which the patient is placed in a lying position. That bed can be moved, so it can be pulled in or out of the pipes. There is an X-ray machine around the patient, which moves and takes many images of a certain part of the body.
During the recording, patients will hear the sound that the machine produces and that should not scare them, because that is normal. For some patients, the appearance of the device may be a reason for claustrophobia, and if that happens, they should talk to the doctors in order to calm down and to approach the recording calmly. Our team of doctors is here to support you to get important information about your health, so do not hesitate to ask them for answers to all questions and concerns you have about this procedure.
Remember, CT urography is painless, doesn’t last long, and the results are crucial for further treatment of the disease.
What Is an MSCT Scanner and What Is a CT Scanner?
The main difference between CT and MSCT scanners is that with MSCT scanners, radiation is detected on more detectors, and as a result, even better and more accurate images are obtained.
We have a 128 multislice Incisive CT Philips scanner which is one of the most modern devices of its kind.
Indications for CT Urography
There are several reasons why this diagnostic method is performed, some of them are:
- assessment of anatomical structures
- detection of congenital anomalies
- detection of the cause of blood in the urine
- assessment of the condition when the patient has a stone in the kidney or urinary tract
- detecting tumors and monitoring the treatment of these problems
- discovering the reasons for the recurrence of inflammatory processes
- postoperative monitoring
This method will determine precisely if you have any of these problems, after which you will be recommended a further course of treatment.
Contraindications for CT Urography
There are a few things to keep in mind if you are preparing for this procedure. If you are allergic to iodine, it is necessary to tell your doctor. The contrast agent that is given, in order to better notice those parts that need to be recorded, contains iodine, which causes an allergic reaction in a certain number of people. If you belong to that group, it is necessary to prepare with the advice of an allergist.
Before the CT you should do an analysis of urea and creatinine and they should not be older than 15 days. Elevated values are characteristic of some kidney diseases, and scanning, in that case, must be performed with the consultation and help of a nephrologist, in order to avoid adverse effects.
Patients using Metformin, Glocophage or Gluformin should not take therapy the day before and the day after the procedure.
Pregnancy is another reason why women may be offered another diagnostic method, if there is a possibility for that. Radiation should be treated with caution in these situations, although this amount should not endanger the fetus.
Preparation for CT Urography
It is necessary to perform urea and creatinine analyses in the laboratory. Their level is important because of the decision to give a contrast agent. You can also do these analyzes in the laboratory within our clinic.
It is important to bring the appropriate paperwork that you have about your illness, the treatment so far, and generally everything you have related to your condition.
If you report for an examination after the operation, bring the findings, the discharge list, and anything else of importance.
What Does CT Urography Look Like?
Before the recording starts, you will get a certain amount of liquid to drink from that moment on, so you will not be allowed to urinate until the end of the recording. This requirement will not be as difficult to fulfill as it may seem to you now, because the recording will not take long.
The CT scan will perform imaging in several phases, before and after receiving the contrast medium. The use of contrast is mandatory in order to obtain credible data on organ function. In this case, the drug will be administered intravenously to the patient.
Imaging is performed while all parts of the organs and structures around are filled with contrast. The patient may then be asked to stand up and move for a few minutes so that the agent is evenly distributed throughout all structures being imaged. Sometimes this happens while the patient is lying down, but even in that case, it is necessary to wait a few minutes for the deployment to occur.
At some point, you will be asked to hold your breath or breathe in a certain way. With your cooperation with the medical staff the examination will be completed quickly and successfully.
It is best to stay for some time, at most half an hour, near the doctor, in order to react if an allergic response to iodine occurs. If you notice itching and rashing, please react and the problem will be solved quickly.
CT Urography Results
Immediately after the recording, you will have the opportunity to talk to the radiologist who was in charge of urography. They will explain to you in detail and in the clearest possible way what conclusions they came to and what your further steps should be, of course, if there is a need for them.
How to Schedule a CT Urography?
You can call us on the phone numbers listed on the site – 0117555000, click on the “Schedule a review” button, or send an inquiry via the contact form.
We are here to explain and carry out many procedures, to educate you about your health problems. If you, for example. need urography, you will probably be interested in the price of this procedure. You can get all the information from our friendly staff.
Diseases and infections of the urinary tract are very unpleasant and persistent, their treatment must not be delayed, because the development of the disease greatly affects the quality of life and the condition of the whole organism.
The use of CT and MSCT scanners for these purposes has made a big step towards making accurate diagnoses and registering problems even in the earliest stages of development, which has greatly improved treatment outcomes.
If you have been hesitant about approaching this method, and it has been recommended to you by an expert, we hope we have eliminated the indecision or fear that has held you back and we hope you have seen the benefits it brings.
The price of CT urography is 15.000 dinars.
