Why patient should do the examination? (value of test).
- To evaluate renal parenchyma and pelvicalyceal system.
Who benefits from getting tested?
Patients with:
- Hematuria
- Suspected renal masses.
- Renal cell carcinoma which requires staging/re-staging.
Are there any contraindications to the examination?
- Pregnancy
- Impaired renal function tests.
- History of reactions to contrast agents.
- Treatment of thyroid disease with radioactive iodine.
What other tests should be done with this examination?
Recent serum creatinine level.
OR
Recent GFR level.
Examination preparations
- Routine medication should not be stopped.
- Fasting for 4-6 hours.
- Proper hydration.
A brief description of the examination procedure
- A nurse will insert an intravenous catheter (IV line) into a vein in your hand or arm that will be used to inject the contrast material.
- You will be positioned supine on the moveable exam table.
- Standard non-contrast study of the urinary tract.
- Injection of 70-80 ml of non-ionized contrast material.
- Split-dose post contrast study to obtain:
- Cortico-medullary phase 30-40 sec
- Nephrographic phase -110 sec
- Excretory (delayed) phase 5-15 min
- When the exam is complete, you may be asked to wait while the radiologist checks the images in case more are needed.
Where I can get tested?
- The exam is done on one of the latest Multislice CT machines from GE, SIEMENS & PHILIPS in Alfa scan branches.
Are there any aftercare or precautions to be done?
- We recommend you continue drinking plenty of fluid after the examination, as it helps rapid washout of contrast material out of your body except if you are on fluid balance for renal or cardiac condition, then please review your physician in that matter.
Are there any possible complications to the examination?
Contrast Materials reactions:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Headache.
- Itching.
- Flushing.
- Mild skin rash or hives.
