2-11. INTRAVENOUS PYELOGRAPHY
a. Patient Preparation and Scheduling. Preparation and scheduling of the
patient depends upon local policies and may include the following.
(1) Requests for this examination should be properly filled and by the
referring medical authority and submitted to the radiology service.
(2) In some hospitals, intravenous pyelography is the responsibility of the
urology section of the surgical service.
(3) Radiopaque pills or tablets should not be given to the patient prior to
the examination.
(4) The gastrointestinal tract should be empty; the patient should be given a
cathartic at least 12 hours prior to the examination.
(5) The patient should not have any fluids or foods by mouth after 10 p.m.
on the evening before the examination. If it is necessary to dehydrate the patient, a
longer period of abstention from fluids may be prescribed.
(6)
The patient should void just prior to the examination.
b. Equipment.
(1) Radiographic-urological table. A special radiographic-urological table,
readily tiltable, is the most practical and convenient apparatus for urographic
examinations. Ordinarily, this unit is equipped with a Potter-Bucky diaphragm, leg and
shoulder rests, and immobilization band. It should be used in combination with an x-ray
tube and generator of sufficient capacity to minimize the adverse effects of motion
(blurring) by permitting the utilization of short exposure times. For the structural
arrangement of this unit, see figure 2-25. It is often located in the urological service or
in an operating room suite where accessory items of equipment, contrast media, and
medical items are conveniently stored. The urological suite often has its own darkroom.
This setup is especially desirable when the urological service has a large patient
population that suffers from urological diseases.
(2) Conventional x-ray table unit. This unit should be equipped with a
Potter-Bucky diaphragm, foot and shoulder rests, and immobilization band, and should
be tiltable. The tube and generator should be of ample capacity to allow for short
exposure times.
MD0959
2-42