Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi or nephrolithiasis, are the hard deposits that form in your kidneys when substances such as calcium, oxalate, and phosphorus become concentrated in your urine. These substances can crystallize and combine to form stones in varying sizes. Kidney stones can be as small as a grain of salt or as large as a golf ball.

If you suspect you have kidney stones or are experiencing symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention. Medical providers can perform diagnostic tests, such as imaging studies, to confirm the presence of stones and determine an appropriate course of treatment. If you have questions about ultrasound and its many different uses, you can visit Doral Health and Wellness. We offer services on the different types of ultrasounds, including ultrasound of the abdomen. You can contact us by visiting our clinic or visiting our website at https://doralhw.org/.

Ultrasound imaging is a non-invasive and effective method in detecting kidney stones. Here’s how ultrasound can be used to identify and visualize kidney stones:

  • Sound Waves
    • Generation of Sound Waves — During an ultrasound, a transducer will emit high-frequency sound waves into your body.
  • Interaction with Tissues
    • Transmission Through Tissues — These sound waves will travel through your skin and other body tissues until they encounter an interface between different tissue types.
  • Reflection of Sound Waves
    • Reflection from Structures — When these sound waves encounter a structure with different acoustic properties, such as a kidney stone, they are partially reflected back to the transducer.
  • Creation of Image
    • Image Formation — The reflected sound waves are detected by the transducer and are used to create a real-time image on a monitor.
  • Appearance of Kidney Stones
    • Echogenicity — Kidney stones, with its property being dense and its crystalline structures, have different acoustic properties than its surrounding tissues. They appear as bright echoes on the ultrasound image.
  • Size and Location
    • Localization of Stones — The ultrasound can provide information about the size, number, and location of your kidney stones within the kidneys or if they are along your urinary tract.
  • Differentiation from Surrounding Structures
    • Contrast with Fluid — Kidney stones contrast with the fluid-filled renal pelvis and its surrounding tissues, making them easily noticeable.
  • Dynamic Imaging
    • Real-time Visualization — Ultrasound will allow real-time imaging, enabling your medical provider to observe the movement and changes in position of your kidney stones as you change positions.
  • Detection of Complications
    • Assessment of Obstruction — Ultrasound will help assess if your kidney stones are causing obstruction or blockage of your urinary tract, which can lead to conditions such as hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidney).
  • Evaluation of Other Renal Structures
    • Visualization of Renal Parenchyma — In addition to detecting stones, ultrasound can also provide information about the overall structure of your kidneys, renal parenchyma, and its surrounding structures.
  • Safe and Non-Invasive
    • Advantages — Abdominal ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive imaging technique that does not involve ionizing radiation, making it suitable for repeat examinations especially if you are pregnant.
  • Limitations
    • Sensitivity to Stone Composition — The sensitivity of ultrasound in detecting kidney stones can vary depending on several factors such as stone composition, size, and the presence of gas or obesity, which can limit ultrasound penetration.

While abdominal ultrasound is very effective in detecting most kidney stones, in some cases, particularly when detailed information about stone composition or precise location is needed, additional imaging methods such as non-contrast CT scans may be recommended. The choice of imaging depends on different clinical considerations and the specific qualities that you may have.

If you or your loved one has symptoms for kidney stones, have them/yourself checked and/or schedule for an abdominal ultrasound. You can schedule an appointment with Doral Health and Wellnessbest doctors in Brooklyn. If you are looking for ultrasound centers near you, you can also talk to our specialists and inquire with them. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call 1-347-384-5690.