Vikas Mehta Vikas Mehta Asked 5 months ago

Can mri show kidney stones?

My brother just had an ultrasound for his pain, and they suspect kidney stones. I know MRI is a more advanced scan. Can an MRI actually show kidney stones clearly?

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8 answers

Aditya Shinde Aditya Shinde Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago
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Actually, an MRI is not the best option for this, yaar. For kidney stones, doctors usually suggest a simple ultrasound or a non-contrast CT scan because calcium stones don't show up that clearly on an MRI. Save your money and ask your doc for a CT instead.

Kabir Das Kabir Das Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

Bro, my roommate had crazy back pain last semester and we thought it was a stone. The clinic did an ultrasound first, not an MRI, because it's much faster and cheaper. MRI is usually overkill for this kind of stuff.

Shalini Misra Shalini Misra Joined May 2026 5 months ago

I totally get it, kidney pain can be absolutely unbearable and you just want answers fast. While an MRI can occasionally show them, a CT scan or ultrasound is what doctors normally prefer because it's quicker and much more accurate for finding stones. Hope you feel better soon!

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Consult a urologist

Geeta Sharma Geeta Sharma Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

Drinking lots of water and coconut water helps flush out very small stones, but you must consult a doctor if the pain is severe. For diagnosis, they usually do an ultrasound or CT scan rather than an MRI, as those show the hard calcium of the stones much better.

Suresh Menon Suresh Menon Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

Managing my high BP has taught me that lifestyle and regular checkups are key to kidney health. If you suspect stones, a simple ultrasound or CT scan is typically recommended. Keep your salt intake low and get a proper diagnosis from a physician.

Anjali Gupta Anjali Gupta Joined May 2026 5 months ago

My sister went through this recently, and the doctor told us that MRIs aren't great at showing the actual stones. They had her do a CT scan instead, which spotted the stone immediately. Just ask your doc, they will guide you to the right scan!

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Pooja Hegde Pooja Hegde Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

Since I deal with thyroid issues, I know how important it is to get the exact right tests done and follow up with your doctor regularly. For kidney stones, an MRI isn't usually the first choice; an ultrasound or CT is much more standard. Make sure you discuss this with your specialist.

Rohan Verma Rohan Verma Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Don't waste time booking a long MRI appointment for this. A CT scan of the abdomen is the standard procedure for kidney stones and takes barely 10 minutes. Speak to a urologist directly so you get the right test done quickly.

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