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Can a CT Scan Accurately Diagnose Kidney Stones?

At Victoria ER, we understand the discomfort and pain that comes with kidney stones. Kidney stones are small, hard deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain when they pass through the urinary tract. In this blog, we’ll discuss the signs and symptoms of kidney stones, the tools we use to diagnose them, and the various treatments available.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY STONES:

  • Kidney stones can cause a range of symptoms, including:
  • Sharp pain in the back, sides, and lower abdomen
  • Painful urination
  • Blood in the urine
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Frequent urge to urinate
  • Fever and chills (if there is an infection)

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential to seek medical attention immediately. At Victoria ER, we have state-of-the-art technology and experienced medical staff to diagnose and treat kidney stones.

DIAGNOSING KIDNEY STONES:

At Victoria ER, we use a range of diagnostic tools to identify kidney stones accurately. One of the most common tools we use is a CT Scan. A CT Scan uses X-Rays and computer technology to create detailed images of the kidneys and urinary tract. It’s a quick and painless procedure that allows our doctors to diagnose kidney stones with high accuracy.

Other diagnostic tools we use include ultrasound, blood tests, and urinalysis. Depending on the severity and location of the kidney stones, our doctors may use one or a combination of these tools.

TREATING KIDNEY STONES:

Treatment for kidney stones varies depending on the size and location of the stone. Small stones can pass through the urinary tract on their own with the help of pain medication and increased hydration. For larger stones, our doctors may refer you to an urologist for one of the following treatments:

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): This non-invasive procedure uses shock waves to break up the kidney stone into smaller pieces that can be passed through the urine.

Ureteroscopy: This procedure involves inserting a thin tube with a camera through the urethra and bladder to reach the stone in the ureter or kidney. The urologist can then remove the stone or break it up using a laser or other tools.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): This procedure is used for large kidney stones that cannot be removed using ESWL or ureteroscopy. It involves making a small incision in the back and using a scope to remove the stone.

At Victoria ER, our medical staff puts emphasis on our patients, and providing you with the specialized care that you need.

IN CONCLUSION:

Kidney stones can be a painful and uncomfortable condition, but with the right diagnosis and treatment, they can be managed effectively. At Victoria ER, we use a range of diagnostic tools, including CT Scans, to accurately diagnose kidney stones.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of kidney stones, don’t hesitate to visit Victoria ER for prompt and effective care.

Doctor looking at imaging

The Best Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Services for You

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You may not know this, but at Victoria ER, our 24-Hour Emergency Center offers state-of-the-art imaging and lab capabilities. Specifically, our services include—but are not limited to—X-Rays, CT Scans, and bedside Ultrasounds, all available to give you the fast results you want, need, and deserve.

In this article, we detail components of our imaging and laboratory services, with a focus on X-Rays, CT Scans, and bedside Ultrasounds, to show that our team of experienced physicians provides nothing but quality and precise medical care.

X-Ray

Doctor holding up X-rayFor X-Rays, we currently use the Del Medical brand and SHF-535 model.

X-Rays are beneficial to examine most areas of the body, particularly bones and joints. However, an X-Ray can also detect issues affecting soft tissue.

X-Rays allow our medical team to view what is happening inside your body without making an incision. Then, we can effectively diagnose, monitor, and treat the medical condition we discover. Of course, different types of X-Rays are necessary for different purposes.

There are myriad reasons why you could require an X-Ray, such as:

  • Checking for a broken bone
  • Looking for foreign objects in the body
  • Routine screenings for cancer and/or other diseases
  • Identifying the cause of symptoms—i.e. pain or swelling

X-Rays are commonly used to examine bones, teeth, as well as the chest, and abdomen.

CT Scan

Women laying in CT Scan MachineFor CT Scans, we currently use the 16 Slice brand and 2269165-3 model.

Specifically, a CT Scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses both X-Rays and computer technology to produce images of the inside of the body. A low dose of radiation is present in CT Scans, but no long-term damage has been known to occur. In fact, the numerous benefits of a CT Scan greatly outweigh any potential risk.

This tool can show us detailed images of any part of the body, such as the following:

  • Bones
  • Muscles
  • Fat
  • Organs
  • Blood Vessels

CT Scans are more detailed than X-Rays and can detect a wide range of ailments, including certain types of cancer, fractures, heart disease, blood clots, bowel disorders, and more.

A CT Scan generally lasts about 10 to 15 minutes—from start to finish.

Bedside Ultrasound

Doctor doing Ultrasound on women's stomachFor bedside Ultrasounds, we currently use the Mindray brand and UMT-300 model.

This is a very particular type of Ultrasound Scan that we perform to answer questions in real time about your body. Ultrasounds are accurate, non-invasive, and require no radiation. They use sound waves to produce images of structures within the body. These images can—and do—provide the information needed to diagnose and treat various diseases and medical conditions. Better yet, bedside Ultrasounds can work faster than a CT Scan.

Bedside Ultrasounds are often used to:

  • Monitor babies, measuring the size of the fetus to estimate the due date
  • Detect cancer in the breasts and testicles
  • Scope out muscle, joint, and abdominal pain

An Ultrasound exam takes roughly 25 to 30 minutes to complete. The doctor will receive a written report of the images within approximately 30 minutes or so.

Regardless of the type of care you require, you can always depend on the skilled and professional team at Victoria ER. Our imaging and laboratory services are top-notch—you have nothing to lose when you choose to work with us. We guarantee you’re in good hands.