CT Imaging of the Kidneys and Liver

Standard CT Imaging Protocols

The American College of Radiology recommends that a CT scan of the kidneys will almost always include the liver in the field of view, as standard abdominal CT protocols routinely image multiple upper abdominal organs simultaneously, including the liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and adrenal glands 1, 2, 3
The American College of Radiology suggests that when ordering a "CT of the kidneys," the actual imaging protocol typically performed is either CT abdomen and pelvis or CT abdomen, both of which capture the liver along with the kidneys in the same imaging acquisition 1, 2

The American College of Radiology recommends that contrast-enhanced CT can detect extrarenal pathology that may be clinically relevant, such as liver abscesses, cholecystitis, or appendicitis, which would be missed if only the kidneys were imaged 2, 3
The American College of Radiology suggests that multi-organ imaging allows assessment of anatomic relationships and potential sources of referred symptoms 1, 2
The liver will be visualized and should be evaluated as part of the standard radiologic interpretation in patients with suspected kidney disease requiring CT evaluation 2, 3
If there are concerns about contrast nephrotoxicity in patients with renal impairment, this affects the entire CT protocol decision, not just kidney imaging, according to the American College of Radiology 4