Will Kidney Stones Show Up On An 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. Having a kidney stone to analyse will make a diagnosis easier and may help your gp determine which treatment method will be of most benefit to you.
If you have severe pain that could be caused by kidney stones your gp should refer you to hospital for an urgent scan. The x ray technician will position the x ray machine over or in front of your abdomen and ask you to hold your breath so the picture won t be blurry. A kidney ureter and bladder kub x ray study is an abdominal x ray.
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.
Since most kidney stones contain calcium they may be visible on an abdominal xray if large enough. Uric acid stones and small kidney stones will not be revealed by a standard x ray. If you have severe pain that could be caused by kidney stones your gp should refer you to hospital for an urgent scan. A ct scan is the best test for kidney stones.