44 CHAPTER 2 Urological investigations

Intravenous pyelography (IVP)

IVP is also known as intravenous urography (IVU). A control film is obtained before contrast is given. Intravascular contrast is administered followed by a series of X-rays of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder over the following 30 minutes or so, to image their anatomy and pathology, and to give some indication of renal function.

•Radio-opacity of contrast agents depends on the presence of a triiodinated benzene ring in the molecule.

•Ionic monomers (sodium and meglumine salts) ionize, thereby producing high-osmolality solutions (e.g., iothalamate—Conray), diatrizoate—Hypaque, Urografin).

•Nonionic monomers have low osmolality (e.g., iopamidol—Niopam, iohexol—Omnipaque).

•At a concentration of 300 mg of iodine per mL, ionic monomers have an osmolality 5xhigher than that of plasma, compared with nonionic monomers, which have an osmolality 2xthat of plasma.

•Excreted from plasma by glomerular filtration.

Films and “phases” of IVP

Plain film

This is used to look for calcification overlying the region of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.

Nephrogram phase

This is the first phase of IVP; film is taken immediately following intravenous administration of contrast (peak nephrogram density). The nephrogram is produced by filtered contrast within the lumen of the proximal convoluted tubule (it is a proximal tubular, rather than distal tubular, phenomenon).

Pyelogram phase

As the contrast passes along the renal tubule (into the distal tubule) it is concentrated (as water is absorbed, but the contrast agent is not). As a consequence, the contrast medium is concentrated in the pelvicalyceal system, thus this pyelogram phase (Fig. 2.5) is much denser than the nephrogram phase.

The pyelogram phase can be made denser by dehydrating the patient prior to contrast administration. Pelvic compression can be used to distend the pelvicalyceal system and demonstrate their anatomy more precisely. Compression is released and a film taken (20–30 min) (Fig. 2.6).

Side effects of administration of intravenous contrast media

These occur in 1% of patients given nonionic and 5% given ionic contrast media.

The most serious reactions represent an anaphylactic reaction—hypo- tension with flushing of the skin (marked peripheral vasodilatation), edema (face, neck, body, and limbs), bronchospasm, and urticaria. Rarely, cardiac arrest can occur. The death rate, as a consequence of these reactions, is ~1 in 40,000 to 1 in 70,000 with the ionic media, and ~1 in 200,000 with nonionic contrast agents.

46 CHAPTER 2 Urological investigations

A contrast reaction is more likely to occur in patients with an iodine allergy, previous contrast reaction, asthma, multiple other allergies, and heart disease and is less likely with nonionic contrast media. Steroid premedication (prednisone 50 mg given at 13, 7, and 1 hour prior to the procedure) can reduce the risk of a contrast reaction.

Contrast media are also nephrotoxic; 10% of patients with a raised creatinine will develop an increase in creatinine after an IVP (more likely in diabetics, with dehydration, and with large contrast doses). The increase in creatinine usually resolves spontaneously.

Uses of IVP

•Investigation of hematuria—detection of renal masses, filling defects within the collecting system of the kidney and within the ureters (stones, TCCs)

•Localization of calcification overlying the urinary tract (i.e., is it a stone or not?)

•Investigation of patients with flank pain (e.g., suspected ureteric colic). IVP is increasingly being replaced with CTU, which has superior sensitivity and specificity.

•Very good for identification of congenital urinary tract abnormalities (e.g., ureteric anatomy in duplex systems) (Fig. 2.7); malrotation; horseshoe kidneys

•Used for follow-up postureteric surgery to identify strictures

INTRAVENOUS PYELOGRAPHY (IVP) 47

Figure 2.7 Bilateral duplex as seen on a tomogram from an IVP.