Definition

Intravenous urography is a test that x rays the urinary system using intravenous dye for diagnostic purposes.

The kidneys excrete the dye into the urine. X rays can then create pictures of every structure (kidney, renal pelvis, ureter, bladder, urethra) through which the urine passes.

The procedure has several variations and many names:

• Intravenous pyelography (IVP)
• Urography
• Excretory urography
• Pyelography
• Antegrade pyelography differentiates this procedure from "retrograde pyelography, " which injects dye into the lower end of the system, therefore flowing backward or "retrograde." Retrograde pyelography is better able to define problems in the lower parts of the system and is the only way to get x rays if...