Urinary tract features on X ray abdomen
What is the information that can be obtained about the urinary tract on the plain abdominal radiograph?
The plain abdominal radiograph, also called kidneys, ureters, bladder, can show the following:
• Calcifications: kidney calculus, calcified neoplasm, sloughed papilla, medullary or cortical nephrocalcinosis, ureteric or bladder calculus/tumor
• Air: air within or adjacent to the kidneys from severe infection
• Soft tissue changes: obliteration of the psoas or kidney outline may indicate inflammation or tumor
• Bone: changes of renal osteodystrophy and either lytic or blastic metastasis