A CT scan is often a healthcare provider’s first choice for detecting kidney stones. If you’ve been told you need a CT scan to check for kidney stones, you might be wondering what the scan can show and why your healthcare provider recommended a CT scan. We’re here to help you understand what a CT scan for kidney stones can show.
This article shows you why providers often turn to CT scans for detecting stones, how the scan works, and what the images can reveal about your kidneys and urinary tract. We’ll also show you what to expect from your results and how they help guide the next steps in your care.
Why Healthcare Providers Recommend a CT Scan to Detect Kidney Stones
When you’re having symptoms like sharp pain in your side and back or blood in your urine, a CT scan is often one of the first studies a provider may recommend. A CT scan for kidney stones is an accurate and non-invasive way to take a closer look at your kidneys.
Let’s explore why CT scans are often the first choice for detecting kidney stones.
Why do healthcare providers usually recommend a CT scan for kidney stones?
If you’re experiencing back or side pain, trouble passing urine, or notice blood in your urine, your provider may suggest a CT scan. It’s one of the most effective ways to check for kidney stones, even very small ones.
CT scans are fast and provide very detailed images, making them useful when answers are needed quickly. Providers often rely on them to get a clear and full view of the urinary system.
How does a CT scan create detailed images of the kidneys?
During a CT scan, the machine gathers many pictures of your body from different directions. A computer then combines these into clear, layered images of your kidneys and the surrounding areas.
This detailed view lets providers see inside the body with much more clarity than many other imaging methods. It helps reveal even tiny kidney stones that might otherwise go undetected.
How can a CT scan tell the difference between healthy tissue and a kidney stone?
Kidney stones are much denser than the soft tissues around them and show up clearly on a CT scan. Stones appear brighter and easier to spot compared to normal tissue.
This contrast helps your provider see where a stone is, how big it is, and whether it could be blocking urine flow. It’s a key step toward understanding what’s happening and deciding the best way to treat it.
How a CT Scan Finds Kidney Stones
When kidney stones are suspected, a CT scan gives your provider a full, detailed view of your urinary system. It’s one of the best tools for finding stones and figuring out exactly where they are.
Here’s how CT technology helps your provider to detect kidney stones.
Where in the urinary tract can kidney stones develop?
Kidney stones can form inside the kidneys but don’t always stay there. They can move into the ureters—which are the tubes that carry urine to the bladder—or even reach the bladder itself.
Kidney stones can travel, so it’s important to scan the whole urinary tract, not just your kidneys. A CT scan makes finding stones, wherever they might be, easier.
How does a CT scan detect kidney stones?
CT imaging picks up differences in the density of body tissues. Kidney stones are much denser than the soft tissues around them, making them show up clearly.
The scan creates a series of images that fit together, like the slices in a loaf of bread, to give your provider a comprehensive view of the urinary tract. The CT imaging process ensures that even small stones can be spotted accurately, providing a thorough examination.
What signs on a CT scan suggest that a stone may be causing a blockage?
When a kidney stone blocks the flow of urine, it can cause swelling in the kidney or ureter. A CT scan shows this swelling clearly, helping your provider spot signs of trouble.
Other clues can include a buildup of urine or signs of pressure in your urinary system. These details help providers determine how serious the blockage is and what kind of treatment you need.
What Your CT Scan Results Can Reveal About a Kidney Stone
Once your CT scan is complete, the images of your CT results can provide a detailed look at your urinary system. They help show whether there’s a kidney stone, where it is, and how big it might be.
Let’s look at what your CT results can show about kidney stones.
What can a CT scan reveal about the size and location of a stone?
CT scans provide highly detailed images that can measure a kidney stone down to a very small size. Even tiny stones that could cause symptoms will show up clearly.
The size of the stone matters because smaller ones may pass more easily, while larger ones might require additional help. Your provider will use this information to decide the best next steps.
What do CT results show about the position of a kidney stone in the body?
The scan will show exactly where the stone is located, whether it’s still in the kidney, stuck in the ureter, or closer to the bladder. Location plays a big role in how the stone is treated.
Stones near the bladder may be easier to pass, while stones higher up can cause more serious issues, so knowing the stone’s position helps guide your care plan.
How does a CT scan help determine whether a stone could pass on its own?
By showing the stone’s size and location, the scan gives your provider important clues. Smaller stones located lower in the urinary tract can often pass naturally.
The scan can also reveal if urine is backing up, which may mean a stone is stuck. This information helps your provider recommend either waiting, using medication or considering another treatment option.
How to Understand Your CT Results for Kidney Stones
Once your CT imaging is finished, your provider will go over the results with you, and you’ll have a chance to ask any questions that are on your mind. Knowing what to expect can make it easier to feel informed and ready for the next steps.
Let’s go over what happens after your scan.
How long will it take to get my CT results?
Within about a week, you’ll hear from your healthcare provider’s office about your CT results. They’ll be able to tell you a little more about what your results mean and to plan any next steps, as necessary.
If you’re feeling anxious while waiting, it’s OK to call your provider’s office for an update. Staying informed makes the waiting process feel easier.
What can my CT results for kidney stones tell my provider about my next steps?
The results will show the size and location of the stone and whether there are any signs of swelling or blocked urine flow. This information helps your provider choose the best treatment plan.
What questions should I ask my provider if my CT results show kidney stones?
When you meet with your provider, ask about the size and location of the stone, the chances of passing it naturally, and what options you have for managing pain. You can also ask about steps you can take to help prevent future stones.
Bringing a list of questions can help you feel more organized and make the most of your appointment. It’s all about making sure you have the information you need to move forward with confidence.
How to Schedule an Appointment with Us
Reach out to us at American Health Imaging, and we’ll help you schedule an appointment at an imaging center near you today.
We’re here to help you get the answers you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a CT scan often the first test used to check for kidney stones?
CT scans give clear, detailed images that help providers quickly spot even small stones inside your kidneys or urinary tract.
What makes a CT scan more accurate than other imaging tests for detecting kidney stones?
CT scans show high-resolution images that clearly separate stones from surrounding tissue, making locating and measuring them easier.
Where in my body can a CT scan find kidney stones?
A CT scan can detect kidney stones anywhere in the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.
Can a CT scan tell if a kidney stone is blocking something?
Yes, your scan can show signs like swelling or backed-up urine that suggest a stone may be causing a blockage.
What do CT scan results tell my provider about the kidney stone?
Your results can show the stone’s exact size and location, which helps guide treatment decisions.
How does my provider know if a kidney stone might pass on its own?
CT results help your provider estimate whether the stone is small enough and in the right position to move through your body naturally.
When should I expect to get my CT scan results?
Most patients receive their results within about a week after a radiologist reviews the images.
What should I ask my provider after getting my CT scan results?
You can ask about the stone’s size, where it is, whether it’s likely to pass, and what treatment or follow-up steps may be needed.