Services:
Intravenous
Pyelogram (IVP)
What
is an Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)?
What
are some common uses of the procedure?
How
should I prepare for the procedure?
What
does the equipment look like?
How
does the procedure work?
How
is the procedure performed?
What
will I experience during the procedure?
Who
interprets the results and how do I get them?
What
are the benefits vs. risks?
What
are the limitations of IVP studies?
What
is an Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)?
(Back
to Top)
An
IVP (Intravenous Pyelogram) is an x-ray examination of the
kidneys, ureters, and urinary bladder. Most people are
familiar with x-ray images, which produce a still picture of
the body's interior by passing small, highly controlled
amounts of radiation through the body, and capturing the
resulting shadows and reflections on film. An IVP study uses a
contrast material to enhance the x-ray images. The contrast
material is injected into the patient's system, and its
progress through the urinary tract is then recorded on a
series of quickly captured images. The exam enables the
radiologist to review the anatomy and the function of the
kidneys and urinary tract.
What
are some common uses of the procedure?
(Back
to Top)
A
radiologist can use an IVP study to find the cause of a wide
variety of disorders, including frequent urination, blood in
the urine, or pain in the side or lower back. The IVP exam can
enable the radiologist to detect problems within your urinary
tract resulting from kidney stones; enlarged prostate;
internal injuries after an accident or trauma; tumors in the
kidney, uterers, or urinary bladder; and other changes.
How
should I prepare for the procedure?
(Back
to Top)
You
should tell your doctor about any allergies you have to foods
or medications, as well as any recent illnesses or other
medical conditions. If you are diabetic, make sure your doctor
is aware of your condition and the medications you take. Women
should always inform their doctor or x-ray technologist if
there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
Your
doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare
for your IVP study. You will likely be instructed not to eat
or drink after midnight the night before your exam. You may
also be asked to take a mild laxative (in either pill or
liquid form) the evening before the procedure. Follow your
doctor's instructions.
Once
you arrive at the Carvel Imaging Center, you will be asked to
change into a gown before your examination. You will also be
asked to remove jewelry, eyeglasses, or any metal objects that
could obscure the images.
What
does the equipment look like?
(Back
to Top)
The
equipment used for IVP examinations consists of a large, flat
table. Suspended above the table is an apparatus containing
the x-ray tube. The apparatus moves on a jointed
"arm" so that it can be properly positioned.
How
does the procedure work? (Back
to Top)
Different
tissues, such as bone, blood vessels, and muscles and other
soft tissues, absorb x-ray radiation at different rates. When
a special film plate is exposed to the absorbed x-rays, an
image of the inside of the body is captured.
An
IVP study requires the use of a contrast material to help
tissues show more clearly on the x-ray film. As the contrast
material moves into and through the kidneys, uterers, and
urinary bladder, the technologist captures a series of images
that track its progress. By reviewing these images, our
radiologist can then assess abnormalities in the urinary
system, as well as how quickly and efficiently the patient's
system is able to handle waste.
How
is the procedure performed?
(Back
to Top)
Before
introducing the contrast material, the technologist will ask
whether you have any allergies and whether you have a history
of diabetes, asthma, a heart condition, kidney problems, or
thyroid conditions. These conditions may indicate a higher
risk of reaction to the contrast material, or potential
problems eliminating the material from the patient's system
after the exam.
You
will be positioned on the table, and a contrast material is
injected, usually in a vein in your arm. Images are taken both
before and after the injection of the contrast material. As
the contrast material is processed by the kidneys, a series of
images is captured to determine the actual size of the kidneys
and to show the collecting system as it begins to empty. Some
kidneys don't empty at the same rate and delayed films from
thirty minutes to three or four hours may be requested.
However, a typical IVP study usually takes about 30 minutes.
What
will I experience during the procedure?
(Back
to Top)
Aside
from the minor sting from the injection of contrast material,
an IVP causes no pain. When the contrast material is injected,
some people report feeling a flush of heat and, sometimes, a
metallic taste in the mouth. These common side effects usually
disappear within a minute or two and are no cause for alarm.
Some people experience a mild itching sensation. If it
persists or is accompanied by hives, the itch can be treated
easily with medication. In rare cases, a patient may become
short of breath or experience swelling in the throat or other
parts of the body. These can be indications of a more serious
reaction to the contrast material that should be treated
promptly, so tell the radiologist immediately if you
experience these symptoms.
During
the imaging process, you may be asked to turn from side to
side and to hold several different positions, to enable the
radiologist to capture views from several angles. Near the end
of the exam, you may be asked to empty your bladder so that an
additional film can be taken of your urinary bladder as it
empties.
The
contrast material used for IVP studies will not discolor your
urine or cause any discomfort when you urinate. If you
experience such symptoms after your IVP exam, they are likely
to indicate some other problem. Let your doctor know right
away.
Who
interprets the results and how do I get them?
(Back
to Top)
Our
radiologist will analyze the images and fax a signed report
with the interpretation to your personal physician. The
personal physician's office will inform you on how to obtain
your results.
What
are the benefits vs. risks?
(Back
to Top)
Benefits
- IVP
images provide valuable, detailed information to assist
physicians in diagnosing and treating urinary tract
conditions from stones to cancer.
- Imaging
of the urinary tract with IVP is a minimally invasive
procedure with rare complications.
- An
IVP can often provide enough information about stones and
obstructions to direct treatment with medication and avoid
more invasive surgical procedures.
- The
imaging process is fast, painless, and less expensive than
alternatives such as CT and MRI.
Risks
- Contrast
materials used in IVP studies can cause adverse reactions
in some people.
- Women
should always inform their doctor or x-ray technologist if
there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
- The
effective radiation dose from this procedure is about 1.6
mSv, which is about the same as the average person
receives from background radiation in 6 months.
Radiation
risks are further minimized by:
- The
use of high-speed x-ray film that does not require much
radiation to produce an optimal image.
- Technique
standards established by national and international
guidelines that have been designed and are continually
reviewed by national and international radiology
protection councils.
- Our
state-of-the-art x-ray system that has very tightly
controlled x-ray beams with significant filtration and
x-ray dose control methods. Thus, scatter or stray
radiation is minimized and those parts of a patient's body
not being imaged receive minimal exposure.
What
are the limitations of IVP studies?
(Back
to Top)
Very
fine soft-tissue details, such as early stage tumors, can be
more readily and clearly seen with CT or MR imaging. While IVP
tomography can show dimensional views of the kidney and
urinary bladder, a CT scan produces much more detailed views.
IVP
studies are not usually indicated for pregnant women.
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