Normal findings and variations of the urinary tract

Abstract

In this chapter, we describe normal findings of the urinary tract and widely used imaging modalities for the urinary system. The normal kidney appears as an oval coffee-bean shape. The average length of the normal kidney is approximately 11 cm in cephalocaudal direction (range, 10-13 cm; 4-5 in.). Intravenous urography (IVU) is the best imaging modality for the visualization of the collecting system. Ultrasonography (US) is the first imaging modality in the evaluation of the kidney, either in routine abdominal screening or as the initial diagnostic measure in symptomatic patients. Computer tomography (CT) is the best imaging modality to demonstrate detailed anatomy of the urinary tract and surrounding structure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now widely available as an alternative or complementary imaging modality.