What is
an X-ray?
Most people are familiar with x-ray
images, which produce a still picture of the body's interior
by passing small, highly controlled amounts of radiation through
the body, and capturing the resulting shadows and reflections
on film. Different tissues, such as bone, blood vessels, muscles
and other soft tissues, absorb x-ray radiation at different
rates. When a special film plate is exposed to the absorbed
x-rays, an image of the inside of the body is captured.
IVP
An Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP) is
an x-ray examination of the kidneys, ureters, and urinary bladder.
The patient is positioned on the table. A contrast material
that is used to enhance the x-ray images is injected in a vein
in the patient's arm. The contrast (iodine) is excreted in the
urine and shows outlines of the kidneys demonstrating the inner
"collecting system" and ureters as well. Images are
taken before and after the injection of the contrast material.
As the kidneys process the contrast material, a series of images
are captured to determine the actual size of the kidneys and
to show the collecting system as it begins to empty. A typical
IVP study usually takes about an hour, however since some kidneys
empty at different rates, delayed films can be taken from 30
minutes to several hours after injection. The IVP exam can enable
the radiologist to detect problems within your urinary tract
resulting from kidney stones; enlarged prostate; tumors in the
kidney, ureters or urinary bladder; and other changes.
IVP
Exam Prep
