Indications

Intravenous urography may be indicated for:

• ureteric colic - to confirm the presence of stones in the urinary tract and any proximal dilatation
• macroscopic or microscopic haematuria
• first urinary tract infections in men
• recurrent urinary tract infections in women
• acute pyelonephritis
• fever not settling within 48 hours of treatment
• unexplained renal failure
• isolation of an unusual organism from the urinary tract which increases the probability that there is a structural abnormality

Note that the emergence of noncontrast as the definitive initial imaging modality for urolithiasis allows intravenous pyelography, in general, to be reserved for therapeutic planning in complex stone cases

Reference:

• 1. Portis AJ, Sundaram , CP.Diagnosis and Initial Management of Kidney Stones. American Family Physician 2001.