Radiologic Studies

We order radiologic examinations at a number of facilities. This is determined by the type of study ordered, how quickly the study needs to be done, your referring clinic and your insurance coverage. We are unable to stay abreast of changes in insurance plan requirements, etc. so we rely on you to know at which facilities you get the greatest coverage from your insurer. Some of the radiology facilities we use are:

Bone Scan
Bone scan is a nuclear medicine study of the entire skeletal system. It is used after a patient is diagnosed with some urologic cancers to determine whether the cancer has metastasized to the bone. On the day of your bone scan you will be asked to report to the facility for an injection of contrast material. You should then drink plenty of fluid to help circulate the contrast before returning to the facility for your scan about three hours later. Only the hospitals listed perform bone scans.

Chest Xray
Chest xray is ordered by urology as a follow up for some urologic cancers. It is a simple, flat plate film of the chest. It is performed by all of our listed radiology facilties. There is no prep.

CT (Computed Tomography)
This study is performed at all of the facilities listed. The test takes approximately 30 minutes and generates multiple images of the area being scanned. If you are over 60 years old, most facilities request that you have had a recent creatinine level drawn (blood test). If you have had recent blood testing at your primary doctor's office, please let us know. If you do not have a recent creatinine, we will arrange for you to have the level drawn at the radiology facility before your test. We order CT for a number of reasons including hematuria (blood in the urine), pain, and follow up for different urologic cancers. There is a prep for most CTs.

IVP (Intravenous Pyelogram)
IVP is a series of xray images taken over the kidneys, ureters and bladder after an intravenous dye has been administered. It is only done in the hospital radiology departments. The exam takes about an hour to an hour and a half. If you are over 60 years old you will be asked if you have had a recent creatinine level drawn. If not, we will have you report to the hospital early in order for that blood test to be done. If you have an allergy to iodine let us know. There is a special prep that we can prescribe to reduce the chance of an allergic reaction. We order IVP for a number of symptoms including flank pain and hematuria (blood in the urine). There is also a dietary prep that we ask you to follow in order to get the best images possible.

KUB (Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder)
KUB is a simple, flat plate xray which shows the kidneys, ureters and bladder. It takes about 15 minutes and requires no prep. It is done at all of the facilites listed. We order KUBs as a follow study after kidney stone treatment or passage.

Renal Ultrasound
Simply, an ultrasound study of both kidneys. A transducer (wand) is run over the area where the kidneys are located. Images are printed on a film. Most of our radiology facilities perform renal ultrasound. Renal ultrasound is ordered if the patient is unlikely to tolerate a prep or is unable to receive radiation (pregnancy). There is no prep.

Scrotal or Testicular Ultrasound
This is an ultrasound study of the testicles. A transducer (wand) is run over the scrotal area. Images are printed on film. Most of our radiology facilities perform this test. We order scrotal ultrasound for abnormalities of the testes or scrotum or pain. There is no prep.

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