Learn CT Renal Stone Protocol – Learn how to perform a Stone Study exam – some of these instructions may vary depending on the equipment you are working on.
Learn CT Renal Stone Protocol – Scanning the Stone Study CT Exam
CT Renal Stone Protocol (Stone Study) CT images are screen shots from the Virtual CT Trainer Software causing some degrading in the image quality.
Stone Study
Exam Prep:
- When scanning for kidney (renal) stones, attach the foot holder and position the patient supine and feet first in the scanner.
- NOTE: This exam can be done either feet first or headfirst but is typically done feet first.
- The kidney (renal) stone study is typically done without oral or IV contrast. Oral contrast is not needed to see the kidneys and IV contrast can hide a stone in the kidney, ureter, or bladder.
CT Renal Stone Protocol – Positioning the Patient:
- Position the patient on the table and center the patient at the level just above the diaphragm or at the xiphoid process in the gantry, using the laser lights.
- Adjust the table height to center the horizontal laser light midway between the anterior and posterior aspect of the abdominal cavity.
- Turn off the laser positioning light
Scanning Scout Images:
- When the patient is properly positioned – Press confirm
- Prep the scanner (Scan button will be solid or a flashing light – depends on manufacture)
- Scan your AP & Lateral CT renal stone protocol scout images – Some manufacturers will require the patient to move back into the gantry to scan the second scout and some will move the patient back into the scanner as it acquires the second scout.
Adjusting Your Lines or Box to Cover Desired Anatomy:
- Adjust the lines or box to cover the anatomy to be scanned (lines or box depends on CT manufacture)
- When scanning for kidney stones, scan from just above the diaphragm down through the pubic symphysis.
- NOTE: Some facilities will scan from just above the kidneys through the bladder for a stone study to reduce radiation exposure to the patient.
- When the lines or box are positioned over the desired anatomy, press the confirm button.
CT Renal Stone Protocol – Scanning the Patient:
- No contrast or IV needed for this exam – No delay time needed
- When you have your scan area covering the needed anatomy from above the liver dome, through the pubic symphysis (or above kidneys through bladder- depending on your facility) – press the scan button to start the scan.
Completing the Exam:
- Look through your images to verify you have all of the anatomy that is needed and no additional imaging is needed. Help the patient off of the scanner table.
Virtual CT Trainer Software – Learn More
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Disclaimer: This training does not replace formal hands on CT training, either on the job or academic schooling. Do not perform CT on an actual patient without additional training.
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Source of Header Image – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3mmstone.png
Rotated image from prone to supine