Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)
Reviewed
Also called: excretory urography, intravenous urography
An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) uses x-rays and contrast dye to get clear pictures of the organs of your urinary tract.
Specimen: none
Why this test may be ordered
- To help find the cause of symptoms that may involve the urinary tract or prostate, such as pain in your side or back, sharp pains in your abdomen, side, groin, or back, blood in your urine, cloudy or bad-smelling urine, pain when urinating, needing to urinate frequently or not being able to urinate, nausea and vomiting, swelling in your feet or legs, fever and chills.
- To help diagnose disorders such as kidney stones, stones in the bladder or ureters, kidney cysts, enlarged prostate (BPH), tumors in the kidneys, bladder, or ureters (cancerous and not cancerous), birth defects that affect the structure of the urinary tract, or scarring from a urinary tract infection (UTI).
- If you have had many urinary tract infections or have had an injury that may have damaged your urinary organs.
Preparation and collection
Your provider will give you instructions for how to prepare for an IVP. You will probably need to fast (not eat or drink) after midnight on the night before your test. You may also be asked to take a mild laxative the evening before the IVP.
An IVP may be done in your provider's office or a hospital. Have an IV inserted into a vein in your arm or hand. This is how the technician will inject the contrast dye. Have several x-rays taken to see how your kidneys filter the dye. After the test, drinking plenty of fluids will help flush the contrast dye out of your body.
There's a small chance you could have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye. Reactions can often be managed with medicine. Serious reactions are rare. But certain conditions may increase the chance of having a reaction, such as: Other allergies, Congestive heart failure, Diabetes. If you have any of these conditions, tell your provider. Tell your provider if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. An IVP delivers a low dose of radiation. The dose is safe for most people, but it can be harmful to a fetus.
Understanding results
Your IVP images will be studied by a diagnostic radiologist. The radiologist will send a report with your IVP results to your provider.
- Normal: In general, normal results mean that: The organs of your urinary tract looked normal, and no blockages were seen, Your kidneys, ureters, and bladder worked normally to filter the dye and pass it out of your body. Limitation: The report will explain exactly what the x-rays showed. Next step: Ask your provider to explain your report and any diagnosis.
- Abnormal: In general, abnormal results mean that: One or more of your urinary tract organs did not appear to be the right size or shape, or it was not in the usual place, A tumor, stone, cyst, injury, scar, or some other unusual area of tissue was found and may be blocking the flow of urine. Limitation: Abnormal results may mean many different things. They may also be inaccurate if you have: Stool or gas in your colon, Poor blood flow to your kidneys, Barium in your intestines, usually from a recent barium swallow. Next step: If you do have abnormal results, your provider may order other tests, such as CT scans and MRIs, to get a better understanding of the health of your urinary tract.
- There is a small chance you could have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye. Reactions can often be managed with medicine. Serious reactions are rare. Certain conditions such as other allergies, congestive heart failure, or diabetes may increase the risk.
- When the contrast dye is injected, you may feel itchy, warm, or queasy. Some people have a metallic taste in their mouth. These feelings are harmless and usually go away quickly.
- An IVP delivers a low dose of radiation. The dose is safe for most people, but it can be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your provider if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
What to do next
Ask your provider to explain your report and any diagnosis.
- What did my IVP show?
- Do I need any other tests, such as a CT scan or MRI?
- What do my results mean for my treatment?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)