Pyelography is a diagnostic radiographic procedure used to visualize the urinary system, specifically the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. It involves the introduction of a contrast medium into the urinary system and the subsequent imaging of the organs to assess their structure and function.
The procedure is typically performed by injecting a contrast agent, often iodine-based, into the bloodstream or directly into the bladder via a catheter. The contrast medium helps highlight the urinary system's structures, making them more visible on X-ray or other imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Pyelography can be performed using different methods, depending on the specific needs of the patient and the suspected condition. Some common methods include intravenous pyelography (IVP), retrograde pyelography, and antegrade pyelography.
IVP involves injecting the contrast medium intravenously, where it is filtered out by the kidneys and then excreted along with urine. X-ray images are taken at specific intervals to track the passage of the contrast medium through the urinary tract.
Retrograde pyelography is the opposite, involving the injection of the contrast medium through a catheter inserted into the ureters or kidneys, enabling visualization of the upper urinary tract.
Antegrade pyelography involves injecting the contrast medium directly into the renal pelvis, usually with the guidance of fluoroscopy, to evaluate conditions such as kidney stones or obstructive abnormalities.
Through pyelography, healthcare professionals can detect various urinary tract abnormalities, identify the presence of tumors, stones, or other obstructions, and assess the overall functionality of the urinary system.
