Kidney Stones Not Visible On X Ray. Cystine stones these are rare stones occurring in 1 of stone patients due to an inherited defect in amino acid transport within the kidney. When to question ct scans and x rays the problem.
Uric acid stones are radiolucent and are also the second most common type of kidney stones. The most common type of stone calcium carbonate oxalate or phosphate is radio opaque and depending on the size will show up on an xray. Abdominal x rays can show the location of kidney stones in the urinary tract.
Ultrasound can miss small stones and stones in the ureter connecting the kidney and the bladder.
When to question ct scans and x rays the problem. Not all stones are visible on abdominal x ray. Although x rays are still sometimes used to evaluate kidney stones they are largely being replaced by ct scans which are a more accurate technique for imaging the urinary track and. The x ray technician then may ask you to change position for additional pictures.