The changing scene of radiology: value of urography as initial examination in infectious and hypertensive disease, hematuria and malignant disease.
Four to 20% positive findings were found in a review of 1913 excretory urographics. Possibly relevant findings were 20% in patients referred for infectious disease, 10% in hypertensive disease, 6% in hematuria and 4% in neoplasms. Urography influenced treatment mainly in the 2 groups with few positive findings. The costs for positive findings may be acceptable in patients with hematuria or suspicion of neoplasms, but are too high in the other groups. Until ultrasonography can replace intravenous urography as the first screening method in upper urinary tract disease, the patient selection for urography in infectious and hypertensive disease should be improved.
Göthlin
J H
JH
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Bergen, Norway.
Gadeholt
G
G
Høiem
L
L
Aslaksen
A
A
D000328:Adult; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006417:Hematuria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D006977:Hypertension, Renal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014567:Urography