Urinary tract ultrasound (kidneys and bladder), with renal Doppler if needed
Kidney and bladder ultrasound in Casablanca
A kidney and bladder ultrasound examines the kidneys and bladder using ultrasound, without X-rays. It looks in particular for a stone, dilation of the urinary tract, a cyst or an abnormality of the bladder wall. It also assesses the size and thickness of the kidneys, which is useful for monitoring kidney disease. With Doppler, it studies blood flow in the kidney arteries, with no needle.
Duration, report and equipment
Duration
Allow 15 to 20 minutes, up to 30 with Doppler.
Report turnaround
Report within 24 hours. In an emergency, during opening hours, the report is handed over immediately.
Equipment
GE & Hitachi
Contact the center
This exam is booked by phone or WhatsApp.
When is this exam needed?
- Renal colic, kidney stone or blood in the urine.
- Recurrent urinary tract infections or kidney failure.
- High blood pressure that is hard to control, with Doppler of the renal arteries.
- Known kidney cyst, to be monitored.
- Kidney dilation seen during pregnancy, to be checked in the child after birth.
How the exam is done
You lie on your back, then on each side; gel is applied and the probe is aimed at the kidneys below the ribs. You are sometimes asked to breathe in and hold your breath for a few seconds. The bladder is examined full, then often after you have urinated.
The doctor measures each kidney and looks at the cavities that collect urine. For the bladder, they look at its wall and contents, then ask you to go and urinate before measuring what remains. If a Doppler is planned, the probe stays a little longer over the kidney arteries. Once the gel is wiped off, you resume your activities right away.
Preparation
- Come with a full bladder: about 500 ml of water drunk in the hour before, without going to the toilet.
- For a child, have them drink before leaving home and avoid letting them go to the toilet just before the exam.
- Continue your usual treatments, including blood pressure medication.
Fasting
No fasting is needed. You eat normally: only a full bladder matters.
Contrast injection
Doppler is done with the same probe, with no injection at all.
Contraindications and precautions
- No contraindication, including for children, pregnant women or people with kidney failure.
- Urinary catheter in place: please tell us, as the bladder cannot fill.
- Kidney transplant: please mention it; the probe is then placed on the lower abdomen, where the transplanted kidney is located.
Documents to bring
- Prescription from the doctor or nephrologist
- Recent kidney blood test (creatinine) and urine test
- Previous urinary tract ultrasounds or CT scans
- Insurance or mutual insurance fund card
Price and insurance coverage
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
Can a stone be seen?
Often, especially in the kidney or if it dilates the urinary tract. A small stone in the ureter can be missed, which is why a CT scan is sometimes done.
Why urinate during the exam?
The doctor measures what remains in the bladder after urinating, to know whether it empties properly.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. With no radiation and no needle, it is often a child's first urinary exam. For a very young child, the doctor adapts if the bladder is not full.
When is a renal Doppler needed?
Mainly for severe high blood pressure or blood pressure that resists treatment, to look for a narrowing of a kidney artery, or to monitor a transplanted kidney.
Do I need to fast for a kidney ultrasound?
No, no fasting is required. Only the bladder needs to be full: about 500 ml of water drunk in the hour before, without urinating.
Does the ultrasound show whether the kidneys are working well?
Not directly. It shows the shape, size and appearance of the kidneys; their function is measured with a blood test, through creatinine. This information is complementary.