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Kidney anatomy
Kidney anatomy
Kidney - blood and urine flow
Kidney - blood and urine flow
Intravenous pyelogram
Intravenous pyelogram


Intravenous pyelogram

Alternative Names:
Excretory urography; IVP

What the risks are:

There is a chance of an allergic reaction to the dye, even if the patient has received prior injections of contrast without incident. Physicians should seek alternative imaging of the urinary system for patients with documented allergies to iodinated contrast, including retrograde pyelography (performed by urologists), MRI, or ultrasound.

There is low radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits.

Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of the x-ray.




Review Date: 11/3/2004
Reviewed By: Jeffrey J. Brown, MD FACR, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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