Use and abuse of retrograde pyelography.
Retrograde pyelography to demonstrate the renal pelvis and ureters is a common urologic procedure. Newer contrast materials and better radiographic techniques have obviated many of the previous indications for retrograde studies were independently reviewed by two urologists and a radiologist to determine if the studies were indicated, appropriately timed, informative, and complete. Our results indicate a high percentage of these examinations are incompletely performed and uninformative and could have been replaced by noninvasive studies. What constitutes a complete retrograde study and when to utilize this examination is discussed.
D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014567:Urography / Q000379:methods*; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*