About the Scan – CT Urography

SMIL performs CT urography after intravenous contrast material is used to obtain images of the urinary tract. Urography images are used to evaluate issues or detect abnormalities in portions of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, bladder and ureters, including:

• Hematuria (blood in urine)
• Kidney or bladder stones
• Cancers of the urinary tract

Your SMIL Technologist will begin by positioning you on the CT examination table, usually lying flat on your back or possibly on your side or stomach. You may be asked to change positions during portions of the examination.

If contrast material is used, a nurse or SMIL Technologist will inject the contrast through an IV line placed in the hand or arm.

Next, the table will move quickly through the scanner to determine the correct starting position for the scans. Then, the table will move slowly through the machine as the actual CT scanning is performed.

You may be asked to hold your breath during the scanning. Any motion, whether breathing or body movements, can lead to artifacts on the images.

When the examination is completed, you will be asked to wait until your SMIL Technologist verifies that the images are of high enough quality for accurate interpretation. Your intravenous line will be removed.

CT exams are generally painless, fast and easy.

Learn how to prepare for the scan in the CT urography preparations section.

Find out if this procedure is right for you in the benefits and risks of CT urography section.

For a downloadable/printable PDF about this exam with preparation instructions click here.