Question 1

how well do kidney stones show in a ct scan without contrast?

Accepted Answer

Very Well: Almost all kidney stones show up extremely well on a non-contrasted ct scan. A stone that was composed entirely of protein matrix may not show but the typical calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, and uric acid stones show up very well.

Question 2

would kidney stones show up on a ct scan if i hadn't been given contrast fluids to drink?

Accepted Answer

yes!: Yes- that is exactly how a ct for renal stones should be performed- with oral or IV contrast.

Question 3

if i had a ct scan without contrast would kidney stones show up ...

Accepted Answer

Yes: In fact, ct scanning without contrast is becoming the gold standard evaluation for kidney stones.  Contrast material frequently obscures stones and makes their identification difficult.  Stones as small as 1 mm can be detected with unenhanced ct technique.  Radiolucent stones which cannot be seen well with plain x-ray technique do show up well with unenhanced ct scan.

Question 4

would a ct scan without contrast for possible kidney stones also show if there were adrenal tumors? dr said ct was normal.

Accepted Answer

Yes: Your ct scan certainly look at the adrenal glands and was interpreted as normal.  While a ct scan with contrast provides more soft tissue detail, it is still likely that you do not have an adrenal lesion or a rare adrenal tumor.

Question 5

my ct scan shows oval shaped 10.9 mm vs 4.5 mm kidney stone in the upper ureter, with a good orientation.  what chances of passing?

Accepted Answer

Kidney stone passage: Kidney stones that are 8mm or larger and are in the ureter close to the kidney only pass 1 out 3 times. 2 out 3 fail to pass without intervention. There are medications that can increase the odds of successfully passing a kidney stone, but only with the help of a physician can you know if this is the best course of action.

Question 6

does a ct scan always show iup kidney stones?

Accepted Answer

Not always: This does depend on the size of the kidney stone and the way the study is performed. Suffice it to say almost always

Question 7

can i still have kidney stones even if they don't show up on a ct scan?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but: Kidney stones that do not contain calcium may not show up very well on a ct.  However, these would need to be very small, so whether they are clinically signifcant is questionable.  If the ct says no stone, the chances are good that either there is no stone, or it is too small to be worrisome.

Question 8

can a kidney stone take 1.5 months to pass (being very painful) and then pass easily? i think i just passed a 4mm stone and feel much better now? ct scan didn't show anything though?

Accepted Answer

Not unusual : Not an uncommon story.  Glad it’s over.  Hope does not recur

Question 9

ct scan shows 4mm kidney stone on wall of my kidney. no sign of it passing soon w/o forcing fluids. will it continue to grow if not passed?

Accepted Answer

Kidney stone.: If left alone, it is likely to grow.  Usually the largest size kidney stone that’ll pass without intervention is 5-6mm.

Question 10

can i tell if kidney stone has transited from ureter to bladder by change in symptoms?ct scan shows a 4mm stone 1.5 cm from bladder.

Accepted Answer

See answer: The only true accurate means of determining whether a ureteral calculus has passed is to retrieve it by straining your urine. The chance of spontaneous passage of a 4mm stone ~50-60%. Onset of symptoms of urinary urgency, frequency, burning, voiding small volumes usually indicates the stone is at the UVJ (ureter meets bladder). The absence or disappearance of pain does not guarantee stone passage.

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Doctor answers about:

How well do kidney stones show in a ct scan without contrast

A member asked:

How well do kidney stones show in a ct scan without contrast?

A member asked:

Would kidney stones show up on a ct scan if i hadn't been given contrast fluids to drink?

A member asked:

If i had a ct scan without contrast would kidney stones show up ...

A member asked:

Would a ct scan without contrast for possible kidney stones also show if there were adrenal tumors? dr said ct was normal.

A member asked:

My ct scan shows oval shaped 10.9 mm vs 4.5 mm kidney stone in the upper ureter, with a good orientation. what chances of passing?

A member asked:

Does a ct scan always show iup kidney stones?

A member asked:

Can i still have kidney stones even if they don't show up on a ct scan?

A member asked:

Can a kidney stone take 1.5 months to pass (being very painful) and then pass easily? i think i just passed a 4mm stone and feel much better now? ct scan didn't show anything though?

A member asked:

Ct scan shows 4mm kidney stone on wall of my kidney. no sign of it passing soon w/o forcing fluids. will it continue to grow if not passed?

A member asked:

Can i tell if kidney stone has transited from ureter to bladder by change in symptoms?ct scan shows a 4mm stone 1.5 cm from bladder.

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