Intravaneous Pyelogram / Urogram

This is the basic method of examining the urinary tract.

The urinary tract is made up of:

Kidneys – two organs located below the rib cage. They filter the blood, remove wastes, and make urine.

Bladder – a hollow organ in the pelvis area that stores your urine.
Ureters, thin tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder.

In men, an IVP will also take images of the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate lies below a man’s bladder.

During an IVP, a health care provider will inject one of your veins with a substance called contrast dye. The dye travels through your bloodstream and into your urinary tract. Contrast dye makes your kidneys, bladder, and ureters look bright white on the x-rays. This allows your provider to get clear, detailed images of these organs.

The examination is normally scheduled for morning.

1. Take four (4) tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia the morning before the test.
2. Take four (4) tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia the evening before the test.

Process: On the day of the test, have nothing to eat or drink but if something is necessary have a half glass of orange juice and a slice of toast at 6am. Nothing else until after the test is completed. 

Contrast media is injected intravenously. Radiographs are taken at specially timed intervals after injection to show the function of the kidneys, ureters and bladder.