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THE LIMITATIONS
OF ULTRASOUND
It is very important
to understand that ultrasound has a limited role in diagnosing &
comprehensively covering all the major important aspects of the
stone disease. One can not blindly depend on each & every ultrasound
report, without co-relating it clinically. Technically speaking,
this test have some variables, such as
it is operator dependent, patient dependent , machine dependent
& interpreter (urologist) dependent. If there is problem with
any one of these, i.e. if ultrasound expert is unqualified and incompetent
or if patient is bulky & poorly prepared with lot of abdominal
gas or if ultrasound machine is of inferior quality with poor resolution
or if interpreter is fake or quack, the out put is not satisfactory
and management is drastically affected.
Secondly, due to gases in abdomen , the whole ureter usually can
not be traced with ultrasound, especially if it is not dilated,
so many stones in ureter can not be seen on ultrasound.
Therefore, in addition to ultrasound, other important
tests such as radiological studies ( X-RAY KUB, IVU, CT pyelogram,
retrograde studies), urine routine, urine culture/ sensitivity,
renal profile, DTPA isotope renal scan, endourological studies and
tests for finding the cause of stone formation etc; are some times
mandatory to evaluate the exact status of patient with stone disease
.
Due to these reasons, it would be unwise to start
treating stone patient on the basis of ultrasound test alone.
Further more due to gasses and waste materials in stomach, stones
in kidneys and kidney tubes (Ureter) cannot be seen clearly. Also
many stones are irregular in shapes (Irregular Staghorn Stones)
which cannot be accurately measured with ultrasound tests.
To diagnose accurately, better treatment and follow
up, it's important to perform all related tests including ultrasound,
after talking the advice of an expert doctor or urologist only.
KIDNEYS ARE THE MOST VALUEABLE ASSESTS OF LIFE
Kidney are one of the vital organs in the body, without them, the
life is not possible. These perform very important & essential
functions in the body, such as
a- Kidneys filter water and if these fail, water
accumulates in body causing edema & swelling.
b- Kidney maintain electrolytes & acid base
balance, the failure of which causes potassium over load with heart
problems and acidosis, which is dangerous for life
c- Kidneys produce haemopoiten harmone, which helps
to produce blood, the under production will result in anaemia &
pallor
d- Kidney produce Vit D3, the failure of production
results in bone disease with week bones
e- Kidneys control blood pressure by releasing angiotensin
harmone, the failure of which causes high blood pressure.
f- Kidneys excrete waste products from body and
their failure cause accumulation of these poisonous & harmful
products in body, with resultant toxic effects to health & life
Briefly kidneys are essential for life. If these fail. the health
of the patient start deteriorating rapidly and he have to take the
support of dialysis, which is not a long lasting solution and results
in weakening of body tissues including bones. This situation compels
the patient to Kidney transplant which is not a simpler solution
and patient miserably creep on struggling for health for rest of
his life, with lot of expenses on injections & medicines to
protect the transplanted kidney. Stone disease is one of the curses,
who destroy the kidneys. So take the stone of kidneys seriously,
try to get rid of them as early as possible by a qualified doctor
or urologist, don't waste your time with the quacks & unqualified
persons and don't allow them to play with your kidneys and health.
The Kidneys are blessings of God, take care of them, once damaged
are never recoverable.
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