KUB Ultrasound (Kidneys, Ureters & Bladder)
A KUB Ultrasound provides a dedicated assessment of the urinary tract including both kidneys, ureters and the bladder, with a post-void residual measurement.
Clinical content reviewed by the MyScanHub clinical team · October 20264 minutes reading time
From
£140
All-inclusive. Reported by a consultant radiologist or clinical specialist sonographer within 72 hours.
- Radiologists & specialist sonographers
- CQC registered
- GDPR compliant
- Report within 72 hours
What is a KUB Ultrasound (Kidneys, Ureters & Bladder)?
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves — no radiation and no injections — to produce real-time images of soft tissues and organs.
Ultrasound is safe, painless, and radiation-free — making it a first-line investigation for many conditions of the kidneys and bladder.
Is this scan right for you?
Common reasons for having this scan include:
- Blood in the urine (haematuria)
- Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Suspected kidney stones
- Flank or loin pain
- Urinary frequency or incomplete emptying
What a KUB Ultrasound (Kidneys, Ureters & Bladder) can find
Ultrasound can identify:
- Kidney stones and associated blockage
- Kidney cysts and kidney abnormalities
- Bladder wall changes
- Bladder emptying assessment
- Prostate enlargement affecting the bladder (male)
What it cannot do
Ultrasound has inherent technical limitations. Image quality may be affected by body habitus, bowel gas, patient movement or the depth of structures being assessed. A normal or unremarkable scan result does not exclude all pathology. MyScanHub provides sonographic findings, not a clinical diagnosis. All findings must be interpreted alongside your clinical history and examination by your GP or specialist. If your symptoms are severe, worsening or you have urgent health concerns, please seek medical advice immediately and do not wait for your scan appointment.
What happens on the day
- 1Check in at our clinic in the Guildhall Outer Car Park at Bluewater. Parking is free.
- 2You lie on the couch with your lower tummy uncovered. A little gel goes on the skin and the probe is moved over the tummy and the sides of the back to see the kidneys and bladder.
- 3Part way through you will be asked to empty your bladder, then the scan is repeated to measure how well it empties. The whole visit takes about 20 minutes.
- 4Your written report is uploaded to your secure patient account within 72 hours.
Is a KUB ultrasound the right test?
A KUB ultrasound checks the kidneys and bladder for stones, swelling, cysts and how well the bladder empties, with no radiation. It cannot see the ureters along their whole length, so a stone that has moved may be missed; if your symptoms suggest one, your report will say whether a CT arranged through your GP is needed.
Preparing for your KUB Ultrasound (Kidneys, Ureters & Bladder)
On the day of your scan:
- Arrive with a comfortably full bladder (drink 2 pints of water or 1 Litre)
- Do not empty your bladder for at least 1 hour before the scan
Please notify the team if:
- You are pregnant or might be pregnant
- You have any open wounds or skin infections in the scanning area
- You have relevant medical history (diabetes, cardiac, blood thinners)
- You have allergies to latex or ultrasound gel
Your report
All diagnostic scans at MyScanHub are performed and reported by GMC-registered Consultant Radiologists or HCPC-registered Clinical Specialist Sonographers. Your written report is delivered securely to your patient portal within 72 hours.
You can download the report and your images from your patient account to share with your GP, physiotherapist or specialist, or add a GP consultation to talk the findings through. How to open and share your results.
Why consider a private Ultrasound scan for the kidneys and bladder?
When you need answers quickly — or when prior imaging has been inconclusive — a private Ultrasound at MyScanHub gives you timely access and specialist reporting without the wait.
Private scan benefits include:
- Fast access — same-day or next-day appointments, no waiting list
- Consultant radiologist or clinical specialist sonographer report within 72 hours
- Fully-private, CQC-registered, GDPR-compliant imaging centre
- Secure online access to your report and images, easy to share with your GP or specialist
Smarter scanning. Proactive health. Peace of mind.
Step 1
Choose
Pick a scan or a programme. No GP referral required.
Step 2
Book
Select a time online — same-day availability most weekdays.
Step 3
Scan
Be seen by specialists at our Dartford, Kent imaging centre.
Step 4
Results
Your written report within 72 hours, in your secure patient account.
Frequently asked questions
Does the scan show kidney stones?
Yes. Stones in the kidney and bladder show well, and a blocked, swollen kidney is a key finding. A stone in the tube between kidney and bladder can be missed, because the ureter is hard to see with ultrasound.
I have blood in my urine. Is this the right test?
It is a good first test and checks the kidneys and bladder for the common causes. Visible blood in the urine should also be assessed by a clinician, who may arrange a camera test of the bladder; the report is written to support that.
Why do I need a full bladder?
A full bladder pushes the bowel out of the way and lets the bladder wall and the prostate be seen clearly. You will be asked to empty it part way through so that how well it empties can be measured.
How long does the scan take?
About 20 minutes.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly, and every scan is reported by a consultant radiologist or a clinical specialist sonographer. You can share the report with your GP afterwards.
When will I get my report?
Your written report, from a GMC-registered consultant radiologist or an HCPC-registered clinical specialist sonographer, is delivered securely to your patient account within 72 hours of your scan, with your images alongside it.
Where is the clinic?
Our imaging centre is at Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford, Kent (DA9 9ST), in the Guildhall Outer Car Park — free parking, a few minutes from junction 2 of the M25 and the A2. We're open Monday to Saturday 8am–9pm and Sunday 10am–5pm. Full directions are sent with your booking confirmation.
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Ready to book your KUB Ultrasound (Kidneys, Ureters & Bladder)?
Book online in minutes. Same-day and next-day slots available most weekdays in Dartford, Kent. Reported by a consultant radiologist or clinical specialist sonographer within 72 hours.
At our clinic in Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford: free parking, open seven days. How to find us · All private ultrasound scans in Dartford & Kent