Retrograde Pyelogram for Kidney Stones

Overview

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The retrograde pyelogram uses a dye to find out whether a kidney stone or something else is blocking your urinary tract, Opens dialog. During the test, your doctor will insert a thin, lighted tube (cystoscope, Opens dialog) into the urethra, Opens dialog, which carries urine out of the body from the bladder, Opens dialog. He or she will then put a catheter, Opens dialog through the cystoscope and into a ureter, Opens dialog, which carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. Dye is injected through the catheter, and X-rays are taken.

You will probably need a local or regional anesthetic, Opens dialog with this procedure.

Your doctor may do this test if an intravenous pyelogram (IVP), Opens dialog does not help with the diagnosis. In an IVP, the dye is injected through a vein in your arm.

Why It Is Done

You may have a retrograde pyelogram if:

Pregnant women normally do not have this test, because the X-rays may harm the unborn baby.

Results

Normal

The kidneys, ureters, and bladder appear normal.

Abnormal

The flow of the dye (contrast material) is blocked, either by a stone or another urinary problem.