Ultrasound (USG) in urology is a safe and radiation-free imaging modality commonly used for the structural evaluation of the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. Thanks to this technique, which works through sound waves, urological organs such as kidneys, bladder, prostate, testicles and ureters can be examined in detail. It plays an important role both in diagnosis and in monitoring some treatment processes.
Thanks to its painless, fast and easy application, it can be easily used in all age groups, from children to the elderly. In urology, ultrasound is preferred as the first-line imaging method in the evaluation of many diseases such as stone diseases, urinary tract infections, masses, prostate enlargement, bladder emptying problems.
In urology, ultrasound is used in the diagnosis and follow-up of many diseases related to the urinary tract and reproductive organs. Common uses include:
Kidney Diseases:
- Kidney stone treatment and kidney stone surgery
- Cysts and tumors
- Kidney inflammations (pyelonephritis)
- Hydronephrosis (accumulation of urine in the kidney)
Bladder Problems:
- Suspicion of stones or tumors in the bladder
- Bladder wall thickening
- Urinary retention (urine remaining in the bladder)
- Post-urination bladder fullness monitoring (residual urine measurement)
Prostate Diseases:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- Inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis)
- Suspicion of prostate cancer (evaluation with transrectal ultrasound)
Testicular and Scrotal Region Evaluation:
- Testicular torsion (sudden testicular rotation)
- Varicocele (testicular vein enlargement)
- Epididymitis (testicular inflammation)
- Testicular masses or traumas
Ureter and Urinary Tract Evaluations:
- Suspicion of stones, obstruction or enlargement
- Investigating the causes of urinary tract infections
Use for Tracking and Screening Purposes:
- Post-treatment control (e.g. after stone treatment)
- Monitoring of renal function
- Evaluating the kidney effects of chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, hypertension)
Ultrasound in urology is one of the first preferred imaging methods in quickly evaluating the cause of complaints, thanks to its easy applicability and safety. It can be supported with further examinations when necessary.
How is ulceration applied in urology?
Ultrasound (USG) in urology is an imaging method that works with sound waves that does not contain harmful radiation to the body. The procedure can be performed through the abdomen, transrectal (through the anus) or scrotal (scrotum) route, depending on the patient’s condition and the organ to be evaluated.
Abdominal Ultrasound:
How?
While the patient is lying on his back, gel is applied to the abdomen. The ultrasound probe is slid over this gel to visualize the kidneys, bladder and upper urinary system.
Do You Need Preparation?
The bladder must be full. For this reason, it is recommended to drink water for 1-2 hours before the procedure.
Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS):
How?
It is applied with a special ultrasound probe placed in the rectum (anus) while the prostate gland is being evaluated. It is most commonly used before prostate enlargement and prostate biopsy.
Do You Need Preparation?
An enema may be recommended to empty the rectum before the procedure.
Scrotal Ultrasound:
How?
While the patient is lying on their back, gel is applied to the testicles and the probe is placed directly on the scrotum. The testicle and surrounding structures are displayed in detail.
Do You Need Preparation?
Usually no special preparation is required.
Application Time and Comfort:
- The procedure usually takes 5–20 minutes .
- It is a painless and non-invasive method (no entry into the body).
- You can return to daily life immediately after the procedure.
What are the advantages of using ultrasound in urology?
Ultrasound, which is widely used in the diagnosis and follow-up of urological diseases, has many advantages. Here are the prominent advantages of using ultrasound in urology:
Radiation-Free:
Ultrasound does not involve radiation like X-ray or CT (computed tomography) because it works with sound waves. This is a safe option, especially for children, pregnant women and repeated check-ups.
Fast and Practical:
The procedure time is short and can often be performed on the same day. It provides the opportunity to make a rapid diagnosis in emergency situations.
It is painless and Non-invasive:
No needle, incision or interventional application is made during the procedure. It is very comfortable for the patient.
It has a wide range of uses:
It can evaluate many urological organs such as the kidney, bladder, prostate, testicle and urinary tract.
Repeatable and Suitable for Tracking:
It can be safely used repeatedly in post-treatment follow-up or monitoring of chronic diseases.
No Preparation Required or Easy Preparation Is Sufficient:
Usually, no fasting or special preparation is required. In cases where only the bladder needs to be full, a simple fluid intake is sufficient.
Provides Real-Time Viewing:
The structure and function of organs can be evaluated simultaneously. For example, the fullness or emptying of the bladder can be monitored.
Bedside Applicable:
Thanks to portable ultrasound devices, it can be applied even at the bedside in a hospital environment, which provides a great advantage, especially in patients with limited mobility.
Considerations
Although ultrasound is generally a safe and easily applicable method, some points need to be considered in order to obtain accurate and clear results:
- Bladder Fullness is Important
- Emptying the rectum (enema) may be recommended before transrectal ultrasound.
- In some special cases (for example, accompanied by a biopsy), fasting may be required. The doctor’s recommendations should be followed.
- The patient should inform the physician about the medications he uses regularly and blood thinners, if any.
- If there is an open wound or infection in the area where the ultrasound probe will be applied, the physician should be notified.
- Recent urination or drinking too little water may cause the bladder to not fill sufficiently and imaging to be insufficient.
- Conditions such as obesity or gas accumulation can reduce image quality.
- Past diseases, surgical interventions, complaints and previous imaging results must be communicated to the physician.
It is recommended to pay attention to these points in order for ultrasound to provide accurate and effective results. If necessary, your doctor may request additional tests or advanced imaging methods (CT, MRI).
Frequently asked questions about ultrasound in urology
What does ultrasound do in urology?
It is used to evaluate the structure of the urinary tract and reproductive organs such as kidneys, bladder, prostate and testicles, and to detect problems such as masses, stones, growths or infections.
Does ultrasound involve radiation?
No. Ultrasound works with sound waves and does not contain radiation at all. In this respect, it is a safe imaging method.
Is it necessary to fast before urological ultrasound?
Usually not required. However, for some special examinations (for example, prostate ultrasound), your doctor may recommend a special preparation before the procedure.
Is it necessary to drink water before ultrasound?
Yes. In cases where the bladder is desired to be full (especially when evaluating the lower urinary tract), you may need to drink 1-2 glasses of water and not urinate before the procedure.
Is ultrasound a painful procedure?
No. Ultrasound is a completely painless, non-invasive method. Only the coolness of the gel or the slight pressure of the probe can be felt.
How is prostate ultrasound performed?
The prostate is usually visualized with transrectal ultrasound. A special probe is inserted into the rectum and a detailed evaluation is made.
In which cases is scrotal ultrasound performed?
It is applied to evaluate the testicles and surrounding tissues in complaints such as testicular pain, swelling, mass, trauma or infertility.
Will my ultrasound result come out immediately?
Yes. Most of the time, post-imaging results are prepared in a short time and can be interpreted by your physician on the same day.
Can kidney stones be seen with ultrasound?
Yes. Especially large and kidney stones can be detected by ultrasound. However, for small stones or stones in the urinary tract, advanced imaging such as CT may be required.