Private Kidney, Bladder & Urinary Tract Ultrasound in London

Yes. A kidney ultrasound can show kidney stones, cysts, swelling of the collecting system (hydronephrosis), scarring, differences in kidney size and visible masses. It also shows the bladder and, where visible, the ureters, so it is often the first test for kidney pain, blood in the urine or repeated urine infections.

It cannot show everything. Very small stones, or stones low in the ureter, can be hard to see, and ultrasound is not a definitive cancer test. Your sonographer explains what was and was not seen and advises whether further tests are needed.

Private ultrasound prices in the UK depend on the scan, the clinic and who performs it. Simple scans start from roughly £40 to £120, kidney and bladder scans typically sit around £140 to £260, and larger or consultant-led scans cost more. These figures are approximate and clinics change them, so check what is included before you compare.

At London Private Ultrasound the kidney, bladder and urinary tract ultrasound is £219, all-inclusive, with a written report and images.

Paying privately, our kidney, bladder and urinary tract ultrasound costs £219. That covers the scan, the findings explained on the day, and a written report with images and measurements within 24 hours. There is nothing to pay afterwards for the report.

If you want more than the scan, the Abdominal & Urinary Tract Ultrasound is £399 and adds the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen and aorta. The Kidney Health Package is £449 and adds a kidney function blood panel, urinalysis, a 30-minute GP appointment and a pharmacist medication review, saving £140 against booking each part separately.

It depends on where you live and how urgent the referral is. Routine NHS ultrasound waits vary by area and can run to several weeks after your GP refers you, while urgent or suspected-cancer referrals are seen faster. Your GP or local NHS trust can tell you the current wait.

Privately you can book directly with no GP referral, online, by phone on 020 7101 3377 or by WhatsApp, and same-day appointments are often available at both our clinics, seven days a week. If you already have a GP, urology or nephrology letter, previous scan reports or recent urine and blood results, bring them so the sonographer has the clinical context.

KUB stands for kidneys, ureters and bladder. A KUB ultrasound, also written USS KUB, US KUB, USG KUB or renal tract ultrasound, is a scan of the urinary system using sound waves. It is the same test as a kidney and bladder scan or a urinary tract ultrasound.

It is painless, uses no radiation and needs no injection. Note that a “KUB X-ray” and a “CT KUB” are different tests (see below).

It shows the size, shape and position of both kidneys, the thickness of the kidney tissue, and the drainage system inside each kidney. Typical findings are stones, simple or complex cysts, hydronephrosis, scarring and visible masses. In the bladder it shows the wall, stones, debris, out-pouchings (diverticula) and how much urine is left after you empty.

Ultrasound can often find kidney stones and signs of blockage, and stones can be measured. Very small stones, and stones in parts of the ureter, may be harder to see. If symptoms persist or the scan is clear but the pain is typical of a stone, your sonographer may suggest another type of imaging or a GP or urology review.

A normal kidney ultrasound means no structural problem was seen. It does not replace urine or blood tests if infection or kidney function is the main concern.

You do not need to fast for the kidney, bladder and urinary tract scan. Eat normally and take your usual medication. You do need a comfortably full bladder: drink about one litre of water an hour before your appointment and try not to empty your bladder before you arrive.

A full bladder acts as a window that lets the bladder wall and lower urinary tract be seen clearly. The sonographer may then ask you to empty your bladder and return for a quick second measurement. Fasting for 4 to 6 hours is only needed for the wider Abdominal & Urinary Tract scan, which includes the liver and gallbladder.

Yes to both. Your bladder is scanned when full and again after you empty it, and the difference is the post-void residual. It is useful for a weak stream, frequent urination, getting up at night or repeated urine infections, and it is part of the same appointment, so there is no separate booking.

The kidneys, ureters and bladder are scanned in the same way in men and women. In men the prostate can also be assessed through the lower abdomen, including its size and its effect on bladder emptying. Nothing is inserted. Women can ask for a female clinician where possible, and for a focused prostate assessment see the prostate and bladder ultrasound.

The scan itself usually takes about 20 minutes, a little longer if post-void images are needed. Your findings are explained to you at the appointment.

A written report with the relevant images and measurements follows, usually the same day or within 24 hours. You can share it with your GP, urologist or nephrologist.

A KUB ultrasound uses sound waves, involves no radiation and shows the kidneys, bladder and any swelling from a blockage. A CT KUB is a low-dose CT scan, often used to look for stones in the ureter, that involves radiation and is normally arranged through a hospital or imaging centre.

This page is for the ultrasound. CT is not part of this service. If your sonographer thinks CT would answer your question better, the report will say so and your GP or urologist can arrange it.

Ultrasound can show a suspicious mass in the kidney or bladder, but it is not a definitive cancer test. Further tests, such as CT, MRI or a urology assessment, are needed to confirm any diagnosis.

If something abnormal is found, the sonographer explains it, includes it in your written report, and advises whether to see your GP, a urologist, a nephrologist, a private GP or an emergency service. Our Private Urology Clinic is available for onward review.

The Kidney Health Package is £449 and combines five parts: a kidney and urinary tract ultrasound (£219 on its own), a kidney function blood panel of 20+ markers (£100), urinalysis (£70), a 30-minute GP appointment (£150) and a pharmacist medication review (£50). Bought separately that is £589, so the package saves £140.

It runs over two visits. Visit 1 takes about 60 minutes for the scan, the blood test and a urine sample, with scan findings explained on the day and same-day appointments often available. Blood and urine results take 3 to 5 working days. Visit 2, on the first Friday after your tests, is the GP and pharmacist review once every report is ready. A combined written report follows within 5 to 7 working days.

The blood panel covers urea and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, urea, creatinine, eGFR), liver function, bone and mineral markers (calcium, phosphate, uric acid, magnesium), glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol, and iron studies. The urinalysis checks protein, blood, glucose, ketones, white cells, nitrites, pH and specific gravity, with microscopy where the dipstick is abnormal.

Four optional add-ons are charged on top of your appointment: urine culture (+£70), a urologist appointment (+£350), a nephrologist appointment (+£350) and a flow meter test, or uroflowmetry (+£200). They can be added to the package or booked on their own.

Add-ons are arranged by phone on 020 7101 3377 or by WhatsApp rather than through the online calendar. Your GP may also suggest one after reviewing your results. See the add-ons section above for what each one is for.

Many private medical insurance policies cover kidney screening, particularly for people with diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney disease, but cover varies by insurer and policy. We provide invoices and clinical reports suitable for insurance claims, and it is best to check with your insurer before you book.

Kidney screening of the depth in the Kidney Health Package is not usually offered through the standard NHS pathway to adults without symptoms, which focuses on managing symptomatic disease. NHS care remains free at the point of use, and your written report can be handed straight to your NHS GP.

Go to A&E or call 999 rather than waiting for a routine scan if you have severe uncontrolled pain, fever with kidney pain, signs of sepsis, an inability to pass urine, heavy visible blood in the urine with clots, or you feel acutely unwell.

For less urgent symptoms, such as blood in the urine that has settled or a dull ache in the flank, a scan is a sensible next step and same-day appointments are often available.

London Private Ultrasound has two clinics. Central London is at 27 Welbeck Street, W1G 8EN, in the Harley Street Medical District, a short walk from Bond Street, Oxford Circus and Marylebone. St Albans is at 54 to 56 Victoria Street, AL1 3HZ, near St Albans City station.

Both offer the kidney, bladder and urinary tract ultrasound seven days a week, 9am to 7pm, with same-day appointments often available.