It would be used to check:. CT has become the x-ray study of choice for the urinary tract. CT can rapidly even in a single breath make an image of the entire area.
A CT scan shows a cross-sectional view of the patient. In some cases, a CT study doesn't need to use a contrast agent.
It can often provide better information than an IVP. However, it does result in an increased amount of radiation. An x-ray, also called a "scout" film, will be taken of the abdomen and pelvis before the contrast agent is used. This helps to make sure that the x-ray machine is set for your size, and that there are no small stones present. The contrast agent is then injected into your vein. A series of x-rays are taken to see the contrast material filter through your kidneys.
Once the agent has moved through the kidneys, it will pass down the ureters into the bladder. X-rays are taken throughout to follow the path of the contrast agent. Talk with your provider about any concerns you have before the procedure. Your healthcare provider will explain the procedure to you.
Ask him or her any questions you have about the procedure. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if anything is not clear. Tell your healthcare provider if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medicines, latex, tape, or anesthetic medicines local and general. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you are taking. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal supplements..
Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a bleeding disorder. Also tell your provider if you are taking blood-thinning medicine anticoagulant , aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting. You need to take a laxative the night before the test and have a cleansing enema or suppository a few hours before the test.
You may need to have a blood test to see how well your kidneys will react to the contrast dye. You may have an IVP as an outpatient or as part of your stay in a hospital. The way the test is done may vary depending on your condition and your healthcare provider's practices.
You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may get in the way of the test. The radiologist will inject the contrast dye into the IV. You may feel a flushing sensation, a salty or metallic taste in your mouth, a brief headache, itching, or nausea or vomiting.
These effects usually last for a few moments. The radiologist will take a series of X-rays as the dye travels through the kidneys and urinary tract. This usually lasts about 30 minutes. You may be asked to change positions while the X-rays are taken. You will be asked to empty your bladder. You may be given a bedpan or urinal.
Or you may be allowed to use the restroom. After you have emptied your bladder, the radiologist will take a final X-ray to see how much contrast dye remains in the bladder. You don't need any special care after an IVP. The radiation records an image on photographic film or a special detector. In an IVP exam, an iodine-containing contrast material is injected through a vein in the arm. The contrast material then collects in the kidneys, ureters and bladder, sharply defining their appearance in bright white on the x-ray images.
X-ray images are typically stored as digital images in an electronic archive. These stored images are easily accessible and may be compared to current or prior x-ray images for diagnosis and disease management. You will lie on the table and still x-ray images are taken. The contrast material is then injected, usually in a vein in your arm, followed by additional still images.
The number of images taken depends on the reason for the examination and your anatomy. You must hold very still and may need to hold your breath for a few seconds while the technologist takes the x-ray. This helps reduce the possibility of a blurred image. The technologist will walk behind a wall or into the next room to activate the x-ray machine. As the contrast material is processed by the kidneys, a series of images is taken to determine the actual size of the kidneys and to image the urinary tract in action as it begins to empty.
The technologist may apply a compression band around the body to better visualize the urinary structures. When the examination is complete, the technologist may ask you to wait until the radiologist confirms they have all the necessary images. An IVP study is usually completed within an hour.
However, because some kidneys function at a slower rate, the exam may last up to four hours. You will feel a minor sting as the contrast material is injected into your arm through a small needle.
Some patients experience a flush of warmth, a mild itching sensation and a metallic taste in their mouth as it begins to circulate throughout their body. These common side effects usually disappear within a minute or two and are harmless. Rarely, some patients will experience an allergic reaction.
Itching that persists or is accompanied by hives , can be easily treated with medication. In very 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. 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 x-ray can be taken of your urinary bladder after it empties.
The contrast material used for IVP studies will not discolor your urine or cause any discomfort when you urinate. A radiologist , a doctor trained to supervise and interpret radiology examinations, will analyze the images. The radiologist will send a signed report to your primary care or referring physician who will discuss the results with you. You may need a follow-up exam. If so, your doctor will explain why. Sometimes a follow-up exam further evaluates a potential issue with more views or a special imaging technique.
It may also see if there has been any change in an issue over time. Follow-up exams are often the best way to see if treatment is working or if a problem needs attention.
Doctors take special care during x-ray exams to use the lowest radiation dose possible while producing the best images for evaluation. National and international radiology protection organizations continually review and update the technique standards radiology professionals use. Modern x-ray systems minimize stray scatter radiation by using controlled x-ray beams and dose control methods. This ensures that the areas of your body not being imaged receive minimal radiation exposure.
An IVP shows details of the inside of the urinary tract including the kidneys, ureters and bladder. Computed tomography CT or magnetic resonance imaging MRI may add valuable information about the functioning tissue of the kidneys and surrounding structures nearby the kidneys, ureters and bladder.
Small urinary tract tumors and stones are more easily identified on these examinations.
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