After the test After the Test You are monitored for about 30 minutes for any ill effects from the dye, after which you can resume normal activities. The radiologist reads the series of cross-sectional views of the kidney to see exactly where abnormalities lie. It provides a high-resolution image of kidney structure and anatomy. The test involves some, although relatively minimal, radiation as well as the injection of radiopaque contrast dye. Some people find the scanner tube claustrophobic.
Factors affecting results Failure to fast before the procedure.
Failure to lie motionless during the scan. Recent tests involving dye or other foreign substances may affect the accuracy of the test images. The next step Some blockages or other kidney abnormalities can be explained or diagnosed on the basis of the scan. Other visible masses may require additional tests, such as a biopsy or angiography, to determine their cause. Adapted from The Patient's Guide to Medical Tests by Faculty Members at The Yale University School of Medicine.