Computed tomography of the urinary tract with an excretory phase (CT urography)
CT Urogram in Casablanca
A CT urogram is a CT scan of the kidneys and the urinary tract: the ureters (the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder) and the bladder. It includes several series of images, before and then after an injection of iodinated contrast agent. The last one, called the delayed or excretory phase, is taken when the contrast agent passes into the urine: it then fills the cavities of the kidneys, the ureters and the bladder, which makes it possible to study their outlines from the inside.
Duration, report and equipment
Duration
A CT urogram generally takes 20 to 30 minutes, mainly because of the wait before the delayed phase.
Report turnaround
Report within 24 hours. In an emergency, during opening hours, the report is handed over immediately.
Equipment
GE Revolution
When is this exam needed?
- Blood in the urine (hematuria), visible or found on a urine test.
- Detection or assessment of urinary stones, especially before a treatment.
- Dilation of the kidney cavities seen on ultrasound, to look for the cause.
- Assessment or monitoring of a tumor of the kidney, the urinary collecting system or the bladder.
- Malformation of the urinary tract, or follow-up after urological surgery.
How the exam is done
The radiographer checks that you have drunk as planned, then places a catheter in a vein in your arm. A first series of images without contrast agent, taken while you lie on your back, looks in particular for stones. The iodinated contrast agent is then injected, in one or two doses depending on the protocol, and a second series shows the kidney tissue.
Then comes a wait of several minutes, while the kidneys clear the contrast agent into the urine. The radiologist may ask you to turn onto your stomach, walk a little or empty your bladder to help the contrast agent move down. The last series, the delayed urinary phase, then outlines the kidney cavities, the ureters and the bladder. Each series is taken while you hold your breath for a few seconds.
Preparation
- Drink water before the exam, in the amount indicated by the center, to fill the urinary tract well.
- Follow the instruction you were given about your bladder (full or not) for your arrival.
- When you arrive, tell us about ongoing renal colic or severe pain in your side.
Fasting
No fasting is needed, even if an injection is planned. Drink normally.
Contrast injection
A CT urogram requires an injection of iodinated contrast agent into a vein in the arm, sometimes split into two doses to reduce the number of image series. A diuretic (a medication that increases urine production) is sometimes added depending on the protocol.
Contraindications and precautions
- Previous reaction to an iodinated contrast agent: tell us when you book; a preparation or another exam may be offered.
- Diabetes treated with metformin, or kidney disease: please tell us. Depending on your kidney function, the radiologist will tell you whether metformin should be paused after the injection. Bring a recent creatinine test if you are asked to.
- Hyperthyroidism or a thyroid nodule, to be mentioned before the iodine injection.
- Current or possible pregnancy: you must tell us before the exam. A CT scan uses X-rays: it is performed during pregnancy only if it is essential.
- Breastfeeding: please tell us. It is generally not necessary to stop breastfeeding after an iodinated contrast injection.
Documents to bring
- Prescription from the referring doctor
- Recent creatinine test
- Previous urine test and urinary tract ultrasound
- Reports of previous CT scans or urological procedures
- List of medications, especially metformin
- Insurance or mutual insurance fund card
Price and insurance coverage
The price of a CT urogram takes into account the iodinated contrast injection required for the exam.
The center accepts coverage from insurance companies and the main mutual insurance funds. You submit the coverage request to your insurer or fund yourself. For AtlantaSanad and Sanlam, the center takes care of it.
No prices are shown on this site: Kenza gives you the exact price on WhatsApp, along with the coverage procedure for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I have to wait between the series of images?
The iodinated contrast agent takes a few minutes to be filtered by the kidneys and then to move down into the ureters and the bladder. The delayed phase is useful only when the urinary tract is well filled. This wait is therefore part of the exam; it is not a delay.
Why do I need to drink before the CT urogram?
Good hydration increases the amount of urine produced. The ureters then fill more evenly, which makes it easier to study them along their whole length. Drinking also helps the kidneys clear the iodinated contrast agent after the exam.
How is it different from an abdominal and pelvic CT scan?
An abdominal and pelvic CT scan examines all the organs of the abdomen, most often with a single series after injection. A CT urogram focuses on the urinary tract and adds a series without injection as well as a delayed excretory phase, which is needed to analyze the inside of the urinary tract.
Are stones visible without injection?
Yes, most urinary stones show up very well on the series taken before the injection, which is why it is done first. For a simple search for stones, the prescribing doctor may in fact request a shorter CT scan without injection instead of a complete CT urogram.
CT Urogram in Casablanca: how much does it cost?
The price of a CT urogram takes into account the iodinated contrast injection required for the exam. The center accepts coverage from insurance companies and the main mutual insurance funds. No prices are shown on this site: Kenza gives you the exact price on WhatsApp, along with the coverage procedure for your situation.