If you’ve been experiencing pain when you wee, noticed blood in your urine, or have ongoing or repeated bladder or kidney problems, your doctor might recommend having a urology scan to understand more about what’s going on in your urinary system. This can help them identify any issues that may be causing your symptoms and how to treat them.
We’ll guide you through what a urology scan can pinpoint and diagnose, what types of scans are available, and how you can best prepare for the type of scan you’re having.
A urology scan gives your medical team a detailed look inside your urinary system, made up of your kidneys, ureters and bladder, by producing pictures of the urinary tract. This can help to spot kidney stones, swelling, infection, tumours or blockages that could be causing your symptoms.
Some urology scans use painless sound waves to produce images, while others use X-ray or a small amount of contrast dye to highlight specific areas. The type you have may depend on your symptoms, medical history, and what your doctor wants to learn.
There are several types of urology scans available, and which one you have may depend on the kind of view your doctor wants from the scan, based on your symptoms. Each different type of scan offers specific views of your urinary system and how it’s working.
Ultrasound is often the first type of scan for investigating urinary symptoms. It uses painless sound waves to take images of your kidneys, ureters and bladder. Your radiographer will move a small, handheld device called a transducer across these areas, sending sound waves through your body and capturing the echoes they send back as images.
CT urography (CT urogram) combines X-rays and computed tomography to create a detailed, three-dimensional image of your urinary system. It uses a special contrast dye, often iodine-based, injected into your vein in your arm, to show the kidneys, ureters, and bladder clearly and help your radiologist to see your blood vessels and soft tissues better. It’s especially useful for spotting kidney stones, tumours, cysts, infections, and blockages, and can also help check how well your urinary tract is working.
Your doctor may suggest having an MRI urogram if you can’t have X-rays or iodine-based contrast dye. MRI uses strong magnets and radio waves to produce very detailed pictures of your urinary system’s blood vessels and soft tissues, making it useful for detecting tumours, infections or problems with the arteries. It’s especially helpful if you have an allergy to iodine dye or if you have kidney disease or a history of cancer.
An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is a type of X-ray that uses a contrast dye to map out the urinary tract. As the dye moves through your urinary system, it can help to produce images that capture how well your kidneys and ureters are working. It’s useful for diagnosing blockages, kidney stones, and urinary reflux (a condition in which urine flows backwards from the bladder to the kidneys).
A nuclear medicine renal scan, also called a dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan or radionuclide scan, involves injecting a small amount of radioactive tracer into your bloodstream. A camera then tracks the tracer as it moves through your kidneys. A nuclear medicine renal scan helps detect scarring, infections, injury, or blockages in the urinary system. Radiation levels are similar to those used in X-rays, so it’s considered completely safe.
Doppler ultrasound is a specialised type of ultrasound that examines how blood flows through the vessels in your urinary tract, particularly the kidneys and ureters. It can help diagnose conditions such as narrowing of the renal arteries (renal artery stenosis) or blood clots in the veins (venous thrombosis).
A retrograde pyelogram involves injecting a contrast dye directly into the ureters through a catheter. This helps your medical team see your upper urinary tract in great detail. It’s useful if other scans haven’t pinpointed the reasons for your symptoms, but it’s often carried out under local or general anaesthetic.
Cystoscopy involves inserting a small camera on a thin tube into the urethra and bladder. Sometimes this is combined with CT or MRI to give a complete picture of your urinary tract. It helps diagnose tumours, inflammation or structural problems with the bladder.
Your doctor may recommend this type of imaging scan if you have symptoms that could be a sign of a problem in your urinary system, for example:
pain in your lower back, stomach or groin
blood in your wee
trouble starting or stopping when you wee
the feeling of not fully emptying your bladder after going to the toilet
bladder control problems, such as leaking wee
needing to wee more often or urgently than usual
repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs)
a swelling or lump in your stomach area
high blood pressure that could be linked to kidney issues
Your doctor may also recommend a scan if they suspect kidney failure, a blockage in your urinary tract, or if you’ve had a test result that needs further examination.
You may also have regular scans as part of your treatment or monitoring for an existing condition, such as kidney disease or bladder cancer, as they can help your medical team work out if treatment is effective.
A urology scan is a fast and often non-invasive way to understand what’s going on in your urinary system. It can reveal problems, such as stones, cysts, tumours or infections, early on, often before your symptoms get worse.
It’s also useful for monitoring ongoing conditions, such as kidney disease, helping your doctor recommend more targeted treatment, and can be helpful in checking how well you’re healing after surgery.
Most urology scans are very safe, and serious side effects are rare. Whatever technology your scan uses, whether that’s X-ray, magnetic fields, or sound waves, it will be carefully monitored and controlled to protect your health.
Ultrasound and MRI involve no radiation exposure at all, so these are especially safe options for pregnant women and children. CT scans and X-rays use a small amount of radiation, but the levels are low and considered perfectly safe for most people.
Some people have a reaction to contrast dye, but the side effects are usually mild and include a warm flush, a metallic taste in your mouth, or slight nausea. Others have an allergic reaction, although this is rare. Let your doctor know if you have asthma, allergies or kidney problems, as these may increase your risk of having an allergic reaction.
If you have a cystoscopy or retrograde pyelogram that involves the insertion of a catheter or camera, you may notice mild discomfort or a burning sensation when you wee for a day or two afterwards, or you might notice blood in your urine. Your specialist radiographer will let you know what to expect, depending on the type of scan you have.
How you prepare for your scan will depend on the type of scan you’re having. Your clinic will give you clear instructions to follow in advance. However, you may be asked to: Drink plenty of water or avoid it for several hours before the scan, depending on which type of scan you’re having. Avoid eating for several hours before the scan if you’re having contrast dye. Provide a urine sample in advance to check for infection or blood. Remove jewellery or metal objects, especially for MRI scans. Be sure to check your individual instructions carefully well in advance of your scan, so you know how best to prepare, and feel free to ask any questions if you’re not sure about something.
Most people can go home and continue their day after a urology scan. If you had a catheter, contrast dye, or sedation, your team may ask you to rest for a short while or take a few extra precautions. If you had a contrast dye or a radioactive tracer, your technician may recommend drinking plenty of water to flush it from your system. If you had a catheter, you might need a short course of antibiotics to prevent infection.
After your scan, a radiologist will carefully review the pictures of your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urinary tract. They look for any signs of kidney stones, blockages, tumours, infections, or other issues. Once the radiologist has finished, they send a detailed report to your clinician or specialist, who will discuss the results with you. This usually happens within a few days if you book with Scan.com.
The cost of a urology scan can vary depending on the type of scan you have and where you live in the UK. Simple scans, such as an ultrasound or KUB X-ray, are usually less expensive, while more detailed tests, such as a CT urogram or MRI urography, can cost more.
You can book a private CT, X-ray, MRI or ultrasound urology scan near you today with Scan.com. We can help you fast-track your diagnosis with no GP referrals required and expert clinical consultations within days. Choose from over 250 centres nationwide with flexible appointment times and get fast online results, including a digital imaging report. It’s easier than ever to skip the waiting lists and get your health back on track.
If you have any questions about booking a scan with us, visit our FAQ guide.
Can't see an answer to your question? Our friendly patient care team are happy to help.
There are several types of scans that look at your kidneys, bladder and ureters. The main ones include ultrasound, CT urography, MRI urography, X-ray KUB, intravenous pyelogram, voiding cystourethrogram, nuclear medicine renal scan, Doppler ultrasound, retrograde pyelogram, and cystoscopy with imaging. Your doctor will recommend the one that best suits your symptoms and medical history.
Preparation for a urology scan varies depending on the type of scan you’re having, but may include providing a urine sample, drinking water, removing jewellery or metal objects, and following any specific instructions from your clinic.
Most take about 30 minutes, but more detailed scans, such as CT or MRI, can take longer.
Urology scans are generally not painful, but some procedures with specific types of scans, such as inserting a catheter, may cause mild discomfort.
If you think you need a urology scan but don't know where to start, talk to our expert clinical team for advice on your options. They can recommend the type of scan you might need, based on your symptoms.
Some scans, like X-rays and CT scans, involve a small amount of radiation. Ultrasounds and MRI scans do not use radiation, making them safer for repeated use or for people who are pregnant. Always discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Instructions vary depending on the type of scan you’re having. Some scans require fasting, while others may ask you to drink water to fill your bladder. Always follow the specific guidance from your clinic or medical team.
Yes, children can safely have urology scans. The specific preparation and procedure may be slightly adjusted to make it comfortable and suitable for your child’s age and size. A urology scan is a safe, reliable way to understand what’s happening in your urinary system. Whether you’re investigating pain, blood in your urine, or recurring infections, the scan gives your doctor a clear picture so you can take the next steps with confidence.