The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
Renal ultrasound
SCAN USING SOUND WAVES TO CHECK YOUR KIDNEYS, URETER AND BLADDER
Our radiologists can carry out a renal scan of your pelvic area to check your bladder and kidneys for problems
What is a renal ultrasound?
A renal ultrasound is a scan that can be carried out to produce images of your bladder, kidneys and prostate (in men). It lets allows your consultant to check the size, shape and health of these organs, and can help us to diagnose a range of conditions, like kidney stones, urinary incontinence and any narrowing of the ureter.
Need to know
Your renal ultrasound will be carried out by one of our specialist consultant radiologists. They will ask you to lie on your side, before applying a gel to your transabdominal (pelvic) area. They will then gently move a small device, called a transducer, across your skin. As they do this, the transducer will emit ultrasound waves to generate images of your kidneys, bladder and prostate (in men).
You'll need to have a full bladder (where your urine is stored) during a renal ultrasound. So you'll most likely be asked to drink a litre of water 30 to 60 minutes prior to your scan. The renal ultrasound itself normally takes around 30 minutes in a diagnostics consultation room.
A renal ultrasound is a simple, minimally-invasive scan, so you'll be able to go home straight after. If required, your ultrasound images will be sent to your GP or consultant for further analysis. So you may be asked to attend a follow-up appointment to discuss the results of the scan.
Our Renal ultrasound locations
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Kidney Stones Clinic
18 Devonshire Street W1G 7AQ London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.