A 22-year-old member asked:
Might someone have kidney stones, but not have any evidence of them in a urine sample or an ultrasound?
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Moez Khorsandianswered
Urology 29 years experience
Yes: Having kidney stones is detected by radiological means. Tis includes plain films, ultrasound, and ct scans. The gold standard test is the ct scan but it emits a lot of radiation. Ultrasound is also a good study but much more limited. It can certainly miss small stones in the kidney and will miss all stones in the ureter (kidney tube) because ultrasound cannot adequately visualize the ureter.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Anthony Cusanoanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 42 years experience
Finding kidney stone: Yes. The best way to find small stones is with a high resolution cat scan. They can be easily missed with ultrasound, and often do not cause blood in the urine on a consistent basis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Phillip Porchanswered
42 years experience
Yes: There is not always blood in the urine with a stone and ultrasound is really not the best imaging study for kidney stones.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 3, 2016
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