Renal doppler ultrasound

There are no contraindications for this test. This test is also ordered during pregnancy.

Healthcare practitioners may order this test for the following purposes:

• To look for renal hypertension, especially when the results of an angiogram test are ambiguous. An angiogram is an x-ray test that determines blockages in blood vessels). Renal hypertension refers to high blood pressure that occurs due to stenosis (narrowing) in arteries of kidneys. 
• As a follow-up to angioplasty, a procedure to open blocked blood vessels.
• For the diagnosis of renal vein thrombosis (formation of a clot in a blood vessel that carries blood away from the kidney) in infants. This may develop as a complication of dehydration, and the baby would show symptoms like reduced frequency of urination and discoloured/cool hands and feet.
• For diagnosis of renal vein thrombosis in individuals with the following conditions:
  • Kidney tumour: A blood clot may occur due to a tumour in the kidney. Patients with tumour show symptoms such as loss of appetite, blood in urine, weight loss and anaemia.
    
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  • Hypovolemia: This condition is associated with low blood volume. Hypovolemia symptoms include general weakness, pale skin, sweating and unconsciousness.
• To evaluate whether the blood flow in kidneys is healthy if a person is suspected to have had trauma to their kidneys.
• As an alternative to x-ray with contrast dye in patients who for some reason cannot take a contrast dye, to detect obstruction in kidneys. Individuals who are allergic to contrast agents would show symptoms like itchy eyes and hives.

You should not eat/drink anything for a minimum of 8 hours before the test. Nicotine may narrow blood vessels and give false results. Therefore, you may need to stop using nicotine-containing products, like cigarettes and chewing tobacco, two hours before the test.

A Renal Doppler Ultrasound includes the following steps:

• You may be asked to change into a gown.
• The radiography staff will ask you to lie on your back on an examination table and will cover you with a blanket except for your abdomen.
• They will then apply a gel on the front and sides of your abdomen and will hold and move a plastic device called a transducer on top of the gel to obtain the necessary images.
• Try to remain very still during the procedure. You may hear sounds during the examination which are normal and denote the blood flowing through your blood vessels.
• You may be asked to hold your breath or roll onto your side during the procedure if required.
• After the scanning is completed, the staff will provide you with something to wipe off the gel.
• The procedure may take up to 60 minutes.

Usually, no discomfort is felt during the test. The gel may feel cold unless it is first warmed to body temperature. You will occasionally feel the pressure of the transducer, which can be a little uncomfortable but should not hurt.

The test can be used in the investigation of any of the following conditions:

• Diagnose the following conditions:
  • Renal artery stenosis and renal hypertension
  • Renal vein thrombosis
  • Obstruction in the kidneys
  • Arteriovenous malformation/fistula: A condition that may result in enlargement of the main blood vessels of the kidney
  • Aortic dissection: Tear in the major blood vessel (aorta) that carries blood out of the heart
  • Aortic aneurysm: A bulge in the aorta
• Trauma to the kidneys
• To differentiate between a tumour of the kidneys and pseudotumour (false tumour)

The procedure is painless and non-invasive, with no radiation involved. No risk is associated with this test.

You can leave soon after the test is completed and resume your normal activities.

In some cases, your medical practitioner may order additional tests, such as arteriography, to further evaluate abnormal findings and determine the course of treatment.

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.