Why a Doppler ultrasound of the renal vessels is needed.
Doppler ultrasound of the renal arteries is a method of examining blood vessels and how they function: their diameter, structure and the speed of blood flow in them. The speed or direction of blood flow in a vein or artery may change due to vessel spasm, thrombosis, atherosclerotic plaques, loss of tone and elasticity of the vessel wall, and other causes. In 24 hours, the kidneys filter and pass 1700-2000 liters of blood through themselves, so it is very important to detect vascular disorders in a timely manner.
What Doppler ultrasound of the renal vessels detects:
Impaired blood supply to the kidneys due to thrombosis, atherosclerotic plaques, stenosis and other causes.
Inflammatory or other kidney disorders.
The location and features of tumors.
Differentiation of conditions when the size of the kidneys has changed.
When a doctor may order a Doppler ultrasound of the renal vessels. Indications:
Complaints of pain (including acute pain during renal colic) and discomfort in the lower back.
Swelling of the legs or face.
Suspected vesicoureteral reflux – backflow of urine into the kidney.
Injuries to the abdomen and lower back – they can lead to vessel damage.
Protein in the urine or an increased number of white blood cells according to urine test results.
Suspected tumors in the kidneys.
High blood pressure of unknown cause.
Certain endocrine disorders (diabetes mellitus, etc.)
Certain cardiovascular diseases.
Preparation for kidney surgery or organ transplantation.
Doppler ultrasound of the renal vessels can be repeated as many times as needed. This makes it possible to assess how changes develop over time and how effective the treatment is.
How the Doppler ultrasound is performed
To scan the kidneys and their vessels, the patient needs to prepare. The bowel is located in the area being examined, and the gas in it can worsen visualization. To improve the quality and informative value of the kidney ultrasound with Doppler of the renal vessels, you will need to follow a light diet for 2-3 days before the procedure. Foods that increase gas formation are excluded from the diet: raw fruits, vegetables, sauerkraut, legumes, dark (rye) bread and dairy products. The doctor may recommend taking enterosorbents (Activated charcoal, Espumisan, Sorbex or others). An ultrasound of the renal vessels must not be performed after examinations such as fibrogastroscopy and colonoscopy, during which air enters the digestive tract.
Kidney ultrasound with Doppler is performed on an empty stomach. The procedure is completely painless and takes no more than 30 minutes. The results are analyzed by the attending doctor and are supplemented with data from other examinations (for example, a bladder ultrasound to make a diagnosis.
