Final answer:
Noninvasive procedures to assess kidney function include a KUB x-ray, renal ultrasound, and MRI. IVP and renal angiography, though diagnostic, are not noninvasive due to the use of contrast material. GFR estimation and urinalysis are also used for assessing renal function.
Step-by-step explanation:
Noninvasive diagnostic procedures used to evaluate kidney function include, but are not limited to, the following methods:
- Kidney, Ureter, Bladder (KUB) x-ray: It is a radiographic technique that provides a picture of the abdominal area including the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.
- Renal ultrasound: This employs sound waves to produce images of the kidneys and can assist in determining their size and identifying abnormalities such as cysts or obstruction.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses magnetic fields to create detailed images of the kidneys and surrounding structures.
Some other procedures, such as Intravenous Pyelography (IVP) and renal angiography, involve the intravenous injection of contrast material and therefore are not considered noninvasive.
Other ways to assess renal function include urine tests such as routine urinalysis and blood tests to measure substances such as creatinine, as well as the use of estimating equations for glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which indicates how well the kidneys filter waste from the blood.