If your healthcare provider has recommended a CT scan to check for kidney stones, you might be wondering what to expect, and why a CT scan is often the go-to choice for helping to diagnose kidney stones. When it comes to finding kidney stones, CT scans are quick, painless, and incredibly precise.
In this article, we’ll help you understand how a CT scan finds kidney stones, what makes CT scans so accurate for finding them, how CT scans detect small kidney stones, and what a CT scan tells your provider about your condition. Let’s take a closer look at CT scans for kidney stones.
How a CT scan reveals kidney stones
A CT scan is very useful in understanding the details of any kidney stones that may be present. It provides highly detailed images that help your healthcare provider understand the nature of any symptoms or pain that you are having.
How do CT scans create detailed images of kidney stones?
CT scans create detailed images of kidney stones by taking images from many different angles around your body. A computer then pieces those images together to form a clear, cross-sectional view of your kidneys, ureters, and bladder––kind of like the slices of a loaf of bread.
This level of detail helps doctors see even tiny kidney stones that other scans might miss, as well as pinpoint their exact size and location. The result is a super accurate picture that makes it easier to decide on the best treatment for you.
What details about kidney stones can a CT scan show?
A CT scan will show the size and location of kidney stones. This can help your healthcare provider know whether the stones are blocking the flow of urine, which can cause infection.
CT scans will also show the density of the kidney stones, and whether the stones are smooth or jagged. All of these details are important to knowing how best to treat existing kidney stones.
It can also show if any other abnormalities are present that might contribute to the presence of kidney stones, or that might be causing symptoms that mimic the presence of kidney stones.
Why are detailed images important for diagnosing kidney stones?
Knowing the details of kidney stones is essential to knowing the best way to treat the condition. Some kidney stones are small enough to pass on their own, without medical help.
Other kidney stones are larger, and require medical treatment. Knowing the location, size, and density of the stones can guide treatment to make sure treatment is appropriate.
Why CT is the preferred scan for diagnosing kidney stones
A CT scan provides the most accurate way to identify kidney stones with great accuracy and detail. A CT scan is highly accurate for identifying the presence of kidney stones, and for showing the size, nature, and location of any stones.
When it comes to diagnosing kidney stones, how does a CT scan compare with an ultrasound?
A CT scan is more accurate than an ultrasound at identifying small kidney stones with a high level of clarity. An ultrasound uses sound waves that bounce off the internal structures of your body, but may miss a kidney stone if the stone is in a hard-to-see location.
A CT scan, which uses X-ray technology, is generally quicker than other imaging methods, which is helpful if you are having painful symptoms. A CT scan does use a safe dose of radiation: for some people, like children or pregnant women, an ultrasound would be a better choice.
Why would my provider choose a CT scan instead of an X-ray for diagnosing kidney stones?
A CT scan will have more accurate and detailed images than will an X-ray, which is important in understanding the presence of kidney stones. An X-ray could miss kidney stones that are small or soft, and it does not give a 3-D image of the body like a CT scan does.
A CT scan also shows areas of inflammation, infection, or tumors, not related to kidney stones, that may be causing abdominal pain. While an X-ray can detect larger stones and may be used to follow up after treatment, it does not provide the details that a CT scan provides.
Why do healthcare providers choose CT scans over other kinds of imaging?
While other imaging methods like ultrasound may be used in certain situations, a CT scan is usually the most reliable way to confirm the presence of kidney stones, and to rule out other causes of pain.
Healthcare providers often choose a CT scan when checking for kidney stones because it gives a clear, detailed picture of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Unlike some other scans, it only takes a few minutes, and it’s safe for most people.
How CT scans detect hard-to-find kidney stones
A CT scan detects even hard-to-find kidney stones because it uses 3D images that show the details of even the smallest stones. With cross-sectional imaging of a CT scan, tissues, organs, and bones can be clearly seen from multiple angles. Kidney stones will absorb more of the radiation used in a CT scan and appear brighter than surrounding tissues, making them easier to identify.
Is a CT scan able to detect very small kidney stones?
Yes, a CT scan is very good at detecting even very small kidney stones, sometimes as tiny as a grain of sand. This level of detail helps doctors find stones that might be missed on other types of scans, like X-rays or ultrasounds.
Knowing the exact size and location of the stone can make a big difference in making sure you get the most appropriate treatment. That’s why CT scans are often the preferred test when doctors suspect kidney stones.
How do CT scans accurately find kidney stones deep within the urinary tract?
CT scans detect kidney stones deep in the urinary tract by capturing extremely thin image slices, sometimes less than a millimeter thick, so nothing gets missed between layers.
These high-resolution images let doctors trace the path of your urinary system with precision, even in areas where other kinds of scans cannot easily see, like your bladder. Because of this, CT scans can locate stones hidden in complex or curved parts of the urinary tract with exceptional accuracy.
How can a CT scan identify the exact position of a kidney stone?
A CT scan pinpoints the exact location of a kidney stone by capturing a series of detailed cross-sectional images of your body. These images show clear outlines of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, allowing doctors to see precisely where the stone is lodged.
CT technology measures the depth and orientation of the stone within your body so doctors can tell if it’s still in the kidney or has moved into your urinary tract. This level of detail helps guide decisions about your treatment, whether it’s waiting for the stone to pass, or planning a medical procedure to remove it.
What a CT scan tells your healthcare provider about your treatment
In order to provide appropriate treatment for kidney stones, your healthcare provider should know their size, shape, and location. Because a CT scan shows bones, soft tissues, and organs, it can also help your healthcare provider identify or rule out other conditions that might mimic symptoms of kidney stones.
What information will my CT results give my healthcare provider?
The information from your CT scan will tell your healthcare provider the size, shape, location, and density of any kidney stones that are present. Once the location and extent of kidney stones are known, your healthcare provider can better understand your condition.
How can my CT results help my provider understand if a kidney stone will pass on its own?
If a kidney stone is small enough, it may not need treatment and could pass on its own, depending on its location in your urinary tract. If a kidney stone is near the bladder, it may be more likely to cause a blockage, which could mean that intervention would be needed.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms and the potential for complications, it may be possible to let the kidney stone pass on its own, without further intervention. Your provider will be able to tell you more about passing a kidney stone.
How will my provider use my CT results to decide the best approach to treatment?
The best approach to treatment is one that is personalized and based on your particular condition. Knowing the details of your kidney stones can help shape the course of treatment, which could include drinking more water, taking medication to help the stones pass, or a medical intervention.
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
How does a CT scan create detailed images of kidney stones?
A CT scan uses X-ray technology and computer processing to generate highly detailed cross-sectional images of the kidneys and the urinary tract, providing precise visualization of kidney stones.
What details about kidney stones can a CT scan show?
A CT scan can reveal a kidney stone’s size, shape, location, and density, all of which are crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Why are detailed images important for diagnosing kidney stones?
Clear, high-resolution images help healthcare providers accurately assess the severity of the condition, and determine the most effective treatment options.
How does a CT scan compare with an ultrasound for diagnosing kidney stones?
A CT scan is more accurate than an ultrasound because it can detect small stones, provide detailed images, and identify stones that may be missed with ultrasound.
Why would my provider choose a CT scan instead of an X-ray for diagnosing kidney stones?
A CT scan is preferred over an X-ray because it can detect stones of all sizes, including those that are not visible on standard X-ray images.
Is a CT scan able to detect very small kidney stones?
Yes, CT scans can identify even tiny kidney stones that other imaging tests might overlook, ensuring a more accurate diagnosis.
How can a CT scan identify the exact position of a kidney stone?
By providing detailed, three-dimensional images of the urinary tract, a CT scan allows healthcare providers to pinpoint the precise location of a kidney stone.
How will my provider use my CT results to decide the best approach to treatment?
Your provider will analyze the CT scan results to determine whether the stone is likely to pass on its own or if medical intervention, like medication or a surgical procedure, is needed.