Britannica AI Icon

intravenous pyelography

medical procedure

Quick Summary

Intravenous pyelography is a medical procedure that uses X-rays to examine the urinary tract. A contrast fluid, typically an organic iodine derivative, is injected intravenously. This fluid is quickly excreted in the urine, allowing it to cast an X-ray shadow. This technique, a type of urography, helps detect abnormalities such as kidney stones, tumors, and obstructions. Specifically, pyelography focuses on examining the kidney and ureter, and a ureteropyelogram is an X-ray photograph of the kidney pelves and ureters taken after they are filled with a radiopaque substance.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. urography
  2. ureteropyelogram

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.