Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)

An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) uses x-rays to take pictures of the organs of your urinary tract. These are the organs that make urine (pee) and remove it from your body. They include your: Kidneys, two organs located below the rib cage, one on each side of your spine.

They filter your blood to remove waste and extra water in urine (pee).; Bladder, a hollow organ in your pelvis (the area below your belly). It stores urine.; Ureters, thin tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder.; IVP uses contrast dye to make these organs show up well on x-ray images. In males, x-rays from an IVP can also show the prostate.

The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It lies just below the bladder and makes the fluid part of semen. During an IVP, contrast dye is injected into a vein using an intravenous (IV) line.

The dye travels through your bloodstream to your kidneys, which filter it out. The dye collects in the organs of your urinary tract and makes them look bright white on the x-rays. This allows your health care provider to see blockages or other problems that affect your urinary organs.

IVP isn't commonly used anymore. Instead, providers usually order CT (computerized tomography) scans to see the urinary tract. CT scans can provide more information than x-rays from an IVP.

But IVP may be useful in certain situations. Your provider can explain the pros and cons of having an IVP or a CT scan. In certain cases, MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging) or ultrasound may also be options for looking at the urinary tract.

Why this test is done

You may need an IVP if you have symptoms of a urinary tract disorder. These may include:

• Pain in your side or back
• Sharp pains in your abdomen (belly), side, groin or back
• Blood in your urine
• Cloudy or bad-smelling urine
• Pain when urinating (peeing)
• Needing to urinate frequently, or not being able to urinate
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swelling in your feet or legs
• Fever and chills

You may also need an IVP if you have had many urinary tract infections or have had an injury that may have damaged your urinary organs.

How to prepare

Your provider will give you instructions for how to prepare for an IVP. You will probably need to fast (not eat or drink) after midnight on the night before your test. You may also be asked to take a mild laxative the evening before the IVP.

A laxative is medicine that helps you empty your bowels (poop).

Sample type

Blood Urine

Other names for this test

excretory urography, intravenous urography