Women's Services Encyclopedia

Intravenous Pyelography (IVP)

Intravenous Pyelography is used to evaluate the genitourinary tract, which includes the bladder, kidneys and ureters.

For this test, a radio-opaque contrast material is injected into a vein in the arm.The kidney excretes the contrast material. Abdominal X-rays, performed at timed intervals, will reveal a highlighted kidney, ureter and bladder.

The IVP can detect any compromise to urine flow, such as a kidney stone blocking the ureter. This test is useful in the evaluation of several conditions:

• Kidney trauma
• Suspected kidney stones
• Blood in urine - Hematuria
• Protein in urine - Proteinuria
• Recurrent infections of the urinary tract (ITU)

Remember...

There is a small chance of allergic reaction to the contrast material used for diagnosis (iodine). The risk of contrast allergy can be substantially reduced by the use of special (non-ionic) contrast material and by pre-treating higher risk patients with corticosteroid medications and antihistamines prior to the IVP.

Although radiation exposure is higher than with other x-ray tests, the potential benefits of the test often greatly outweigh the risks. Radiation, in higher doses, is thought to contribute to the development of some cancers and birth defects in early pregnancy.

There is some risk of kidney damage due to the use of intravenous contrast material. The damage is seen almost exclusively in the patient with pre-existing kidney insufficiency (diabetics, those with multiple myeloma, and the elderly). Often, these patients will have an abdominal ultrasound performed to avoid the use of injectable contrast material.

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