IVP's
Intravenous pyelography (IVP) is used to examine the urinary tract, that is the kidneys, ureters and bladder. An IVP can be used to assess the size and outline of the kidneys, the function of the kidneys, and make sure both ureters are doing their job of transferring urine from the kidneys to the bladder, and assess the outline of the urinary bladder.
What is the preparation for the test?
The kidneys are likely to be obscured by normal gas and faeces within the bowel. Much clearer, and hence more accurate pictures of the kidneys can be obtained if the bowel is as empty as possible. There is a "bowel preparation kit" which you will be asked to start the day before the test.
You will be required to take 2 Durolax tablets (light laxative) after your evening meal and no food to be taken after midnight. You may have clear fluids right up until the procedure. If you are diabetic – continue with your normal diet/ fluids and diabetic medication
Will I have to undress?
You will be asked to remove most of your clothes, but may keep wearing your underpants. You will be asked to change into a cotton gown. This is because buttons, clips, zippers etc. show up too well on x-ray and can be confusing to interpret or may hide abnormalities.
How is the test done?
One or two plain x-ray images will be obtained to localise your kidneys. One of these is a tomogram, which is where the x-ray tube moves over you, while the x-ray film moves in the opposite direction underneath you. Using this technique, the level of the kidneys in your body is revealed as the other structures in the abdomen are blurred out of the image.
You will be given an injection of x-ray contrast medium. This liquid has been designed to be efficiently taken out of your blood by the kidneys. The contrast medium contains iodine which shows up on x-rays. It is important to tell the staff if you have any allergy to x-ray contrast (or a history of allergies such as asthma, for example).
The contrast is given via a small needle in a vein in the arm or hand. The needle is about the size of that used when blood tests are taken. The injection may make you feel warm for a few minutes, and also give you a metallic taste in the mouth. These feelings don’t last very long and are quite normal, although many people experience nothing at all. You will be asked to hold your breath during each x-ray, but only for 10 or 15 seconds. We may also use a compression device around your waist. The reason for this is to compress the ureters and keep the contrast in the kidneys allowing us to obtain good images of your kidneys. This compression is applied for about 10 minutes. It is then released and the contrast fills the ureters, allowing us to obtain good pictures of them.
A standard IVP will require typically around 10 films, although several more may be required depending on what your doctor is looking for and/or the function of your kidneys. Each examination is customised to the individual patient.
How long will it all take?
About 45 minutes. We allow a longer booking time, as there may be
an obstruction to a ureter, and the examination may take longer.
And after the test?
You can go to the toilet, get dressed and go home.
Resume your normal diet.
What about Radiation?
Refer to the questions on radiation in FAQ.