Downloadable Brochure - Screening Examinations
What is an Intravenous Pyelogram?
An Intravenous Pyelogram is a type of screening study and provides images of the urinary tract (including kidney, bladder and ureters), to demonstrate its size and shape and to give an indication of its function.
The examination is performed by a radiographer (a technologist trained in medical imaging) and the images are read by a radiologist (a doctor who specialises in medical imaging).
Preparation
You will need to fast from food and fluids for at least three hours before the examination. In many cases you will also need to undertake bowel preparation to allow the kidneys to be better displayed.
Procedure
Prior to the examination you will be asked to change into a gown to prevent your clothes from causing confusing shadows on the images. You may also be asked to empty your bladder.
You will need to lie down on the x-ray table for the examination. After the radiographer has taken the first series of images you will be given an injection of contrast (usually into the vein on the inside of the elbow or on the back of the hand). Contrast is a special fluid that circulates in the blood, is filtered out by the kidneys, and shows on the images that are taken. The needle is usually left in place for between 10 and 15 minutes, in case a further amount of contrast is required.
As with all intravenous injections, there is a small chance of an allergic reaction to the contrast. We use modern non-ionic contrast which rarely causes any significant reactions although some patients may experience a warm ‘flushed’ feeling for a few seconds after the injection. Please tell the staff if you have had any form of reaction to x-ray contrast before, or if you are an asthmatic.
Several series of images are taken at regular intervals, during the Intravenous Pyelogram examination, to assess the speed and efficiency of kidney function. As breathing may blur the images, you will be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds.
A wide band may be placed around your waist at some stage and tightened for a few minutes to stop the contrast from draining to the bladder through the ureters (the tubes joining the kidneys to the bladder).
You may be given water to drink after the band is removed to help the bladder fill with the contrast. This can take between 15 and 30 minutes.
Finally, you will be asked to empty your bladder to assess its function before the last series of images are taken. You can then get dressed.
Examination and Reporting Time
The examination will take approximately one hour - occasionally longer if a kidney is obstructed.
You may wish to wait for your results or alternative arrangements can be made to collect them at a later stage.