urinary tract infections (of which symptoms may include the need to pass urine frequently, pain on urination, and worsening urinary incontinence). Risks Ultrasound is non-invasive and does not involve radiation, unlike some methods of imaging of the urinary tract such as X-rays or CT scans. It is usually painless. It is safe in pregnancy. Risks specific to the scan involve: Discomfort from the abdominal probe Distress related to results that are reported Financial risks related to the scan, especially if it produces an indeterminate result Risks entailed with treatment or further investigations required following the results. Abdominal obesity, gas within the colon, and barium within the intestines can all impact the accuracy of the test. Other tests Other tests are available to image the urinary tract. These include X-rays, CT scans or MRI scans. References Ultrasound Urologic imaging