Professional Documents
Culture Documents
PYELOGRAM
WHAT IS AN INTRAVENOUS
PYELOGRAM?
An intravenous pyelogram
(commonly abbreviated as IVP) is a
technique in which x-rays are used
to take pictures of the urinary tract,
after a liquid substance called
contrast is injected into a vein (a
blood vessel that caries blood to
the heart). See below for a
description of the urinary tract, x-
rays, and contrast material.
WHAT IS THE URINARY TRACT?
The urinary tract is the part of the body that deals
with the formation and excretion of urine (pee). To
excrete means to release from the body as waste.
The urinary system is made up of four parts: the
bladder, urethra, kidneys, and ureters. The bladder
is a stretchable structure in the body that holds
urine. The urethra is a tube shaped structure in the
body that drains urine from the bladder. The
kidneys are two organs located on each side of the
spine, behind the stomach. The kidneys filter
(remove) wastes from the blood. The ureters are
two tube shaped structures that connect to the
kidneys and carry urine to the bladder. One ureter
is attached to each kidney. To help you visualize it
better, here is a picture of the urinary tract
WHAT ARE X-RAYS AND
CONTRAST?
X-rays are a type of radiation, which is a form of
energy. This means that x-rays are a form of energy.
Normally, x-rays pass through soft tissues of the
body, making them difficult to see. Different parts of
the body absorb x-rays at different rates. When x-rays
are shot at the body and a special film is placed
behind the body, the x-rays cast a shadow on the film,
which produces a picture of inside the body.
Although x-rays are very good at looking at bones,
any two organs in the body with similar thickness and
atomic number will be almost impossible to
distinguish with an x-ray. The atomic number is the
number of protons (positively charged particles) in
the nucleus (center) of an atom. An atom is the
smallest part of a substance that can exist and still
possess all of the properties that are characteristic of
the substance.
To better distinguish between organs, a liquid
substance called contrast is used that x-rays cannot
pass through. Contrast helps to form an artificial
distinction between organs in the body so that the
doctor can tell them apart. Contrast can provide this
distinction because it has a very high atomic number,
unlike the lower atomic number of the organs that it
helps distinguish between.
In the case of an intravenous pyelogram, after injecting
contrast into a vein in the arm, it circulates throughout
the blood and passes through the kidneys and the rest
of the urinary tract (see above). With the contrast
substance passing through these areas, the x-rays will
not be able to pass through them. This will allow these
areas to show up clearly on the x-ray because they will
show up in contrast to areas in the body where the x-
rays easily pass through. More specifically, when x-
rays hit organs that iodine has entered, these areas
will appear white on the x-ray, which serves to
highlight it.
WHAT IS THE CONTRAST MADE
OF?
The contrast used in an IVP is usually made of
iodine (a non-metallic element) or shellfish.
Yes, that's right, shellfish. The reason for this
is that seafood is the best source of iodine in
the diet. Iodine is a bluish black solid
substance. Although most solids turn into a
liquid and then into a gas after it is heated,
iodine does not. Rather, iodine turns directly
into a purple vapor after it is heated. Because
iodine does not turn into a liquid, it needs to
be combined with liquid substances so that t
can be injected into the body.
WHY IS AN INTRAVENOUS
PYELOGRAM PERFORMED?
An IVP is the most commonly performed test to assess if there
are any problems with the urinary tract (see above). Such
problems may include injuries to the urinary tract, reoccurring
urinary tract infections, reoccurring kidney infections, kidney
stones, and tumors (tissues that grow more rapidly than
normal). Cysts can also be seen, which are abnormal swellings
or lumps that are filled with fluid or some solid material. Young
people with high blood pressure may be asked to get an IVP to
determine if kidney disease is a cause of the problem.
Other problems that may lead for an IVP to be done includes
blood in the urine, frequent peeing, and pain in the side or
lower back. An IVP is also done if the doctor suspects that the
patient may have an enlarged prostate. The prostrate is a
structure about the size of a chestnut that is below the bladder
and in front of the rear end. The prostate produces a fluid that
is part of semen. Semen is a fluid that is discharged from a
male's penis in order to reproduce with a female.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR
AN INTRAVENOUS PYELOGRAM?
The day before the IVP, the doctor will ask the patient to
prepare for the procedure by eating less. Depending on
the patient's circumstances, the doctor will ask the
patient not to eat any food for several hours before the
exam. In most cases, the patient will be asked not to eat
anything after dinner or on the night before the IVP. The
patient will likely be allowed to drink clear liquids
(liquids that the patient can see through, such as water
or seltzer).
Some doctors do not want the patient to drink anything
for 8 to 12 hours before the IVP. Not eating or drinking
before the exam helps improve the quality of the x-ray
pictures. The patient should wear comfortable clothing
since he/she will be asked to lie down on an
examination table. The patient should remove jewelry,
eyeglasses, and other metal objects because they may
interfere with the quality of the x-ray pictures.
The doctor may also ask that the patient take a
medication known as a laxative, such as bisacodyl. This
medication will help the patient poop. The patient may
be asked to take this type of medication by mouth
and/or as a suppository. A suppository is a small,
medicated mass that is shaped to be readily inserted
into another bodily opening besides the mouth.
The suppository will help the patient poop in about 15
minutes to an hour, whereas taking the medication by
mouth usually takes many hours before the patient
poops. The patient may also be asked to give
him/herself an enema before the IVP. An enema is a
procedure in which fluid is passed through the rear end
through a tube that is inserted in it. The enema (and the
suppository) helps release poop and air from the body.
WHAT SHOULD I BE SURE TO TELL MY
DOCTOR BEFORE HAVING AN INTRAVENOUS
PYELOGRAM PERFORMED?