Patient education: Intravenous pyelogram (The Basics)

What is an intravenous pyelogram? — An intravenous pyelogram ("IVP") is a procedure that lets a doctor look at the kidneys, ureters, and bladder (figure 1). It is also known as an "intravenous urogram" ("IVU") or "excretory urogram" ("EU"). The procedure uses a special dye that makes the kidneys, ureters, and bladder show up more clearly on an X-ray.

Doctors do not do IVPs as much as they used to. Often, other imaging tests like an ultrasound, CT, or MRI are done instead. But there are situations where this procedure might be done, such as:

●If you have blood in your urine or pain in your lower side and back

●To check for a blockage in your bladder or urethra – This can be caused by an enlarged prostate, scar tissue, kidney stone, or tumor.

●To check for urinary tract problems that a person can be born with

How do I prepare for an IVP? — The doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to do anything special to prepare.

Before your procedure, your doctor will do an exam. Your doctor will also ask you about your "health history." This involves asking you questions about any health problems you have or had in the past, past surgeries, and any medicines you take. Tell them about:

●Any medicines you are taking – This includes any prescription or "over-the-counter" medicines you use, plus any herbal supplements you take. It helps to write down and bring a list of any medicines you take, or bring a bag with all of your medicines with you.

●Any allergies you have

●Any bleeding problems you have – Certain medicines, including some herbs and supplements, can increase the risk of bleeding. Some health conditions also increase this risk.

You will also get information about:

●Taking a laxative or doing an enema the night before the IVP – This is sometimes done. It helps clear out your intestines of any stool, which makes it easier for the doctor to clearly see your kidneys, ureters, or bladder.

●Eating and drinking before your test – In some cases, you might need to "fast" before this test. This means not eating or drinking anything for a period of time. In other cases, you might be allowed to have liquids until a short time before the test.

Ask the doctor or nurse if you have questions or if there is anything you do not understand.

What happens during an IVP? — When it is time for the procedure:

●Your doctor will ask you to empty your bladder. They might ask you to collect a small urine sample for testing.

●You will get an "IV," which is a thin tube that goes into a vein.

●You will lie on your back on the exam table. The staff will take an X-ray.

●The staff will use the IV to put special dye into your vein. You might have a warm feeling when the dye is given. You might also have a metallic taste in your mouth or feel like you need to urinate. This is normal and will go away in a few minutes.

●The dye will travel through your bloodstream to your kidneys and urinary tract.

●The staff will take X-rays at certain times. This will let the doctor watch how the dye flows through your kidneys, into your ureters, and into your bladder. They might ask you to lie on your stomach or stand up for some of these X-rays.

●When the test is over, you will urinate again and the staff will take another X-ray.

●The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes. In some cases, the test can last an hour or longer.

What happens after an IVP? — Most people can go home right away. You can go back to your normal activities and normal diet when you go home.

Drink plenty of water or other fluids to help flush the dye out of your body, unless your doctor told you to limit your fluids. The dye is clear, so you should not see any change in the color of your urine.

What are the risks of an IVP? — Your doctor will talk to you about all of the possible risks, and answer your questions. Possible risks include:

●Allergic reaction to the dye

●Nausea

●Vomiting

What follow-up care do I need? — The doctor might want to see you again after your test to share the results and check on your progress. Go to these appointments.

More on this topic

Patient education: Retrograde pyelogram (The Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in children (The Basics)

Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in children (Beyond the Basics)