Question Title: IVP vs. ultrasound

I recently (last 2 weeks) had a ultrasound done that indicated I had kidney stones, the doctor ordered a IVP, the IVP came back clean. I am confused as I continue to feel terrible(mainly at night) with left flank pain that wraps around my front under the rib cage and into the stomach, I am unable to sleep do to the discomfort as I wake up at all hours of the night. The doctor said that I may have passed a stone but I sure don't feel like it. What I am wondering is there any benefit in insisting that another ultrasound should be done. What should I do next?

Dear Bruce,
Thanks for your question. In short, you are having left flank pain which radiates to the front of abdomen. You had an ultrasound, which suggested renal stones. Since the follow-up IVP came out negative and your pain is persisting, you are wondering about the future course of action.
Traditionally, IVP is a better test for diagnosing urinary stones. Most of the stones show up on the X-ray and it also shows the secondary obstruction to the kidney and ureter (tube carrying urine from kidney). Since your IVP is negative it is unlikely that there is some thing major going on. Having said that, I still want you to get a urine test done. If it shows blood or infection, you may want to pursue another ultrasound to pick up any radiolucent stones (invisible on x ray) or any other abnormality. Ultrasound may also reveal some non-renal problem, which may be the cause for your pain. You may have a “pinched nerve” or arthritic problem to account for you pain, also

Hope this information will be of some help to you.Hope this information will be of some help to you.

This information is provided for general medical information purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. Physicians at the Henry Ford Hospital Department of Urology have experience in the evaluation and treatments of problems such as you describe. They would be most interested in helping you. You can reach him through our toll-free number (1-800-653-6568).We can also arrange local accommodations through this number if this is your need. Please bring any x-rays (not just the reports) as well as any physicians' notes and lab test results that you may be able to obtain. These will help us greatly.

Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-A.T.
*keyword: renal pain, ultrasound, IVP, stones