CT urography (protocol)

Last revised by Tariq Walizai on 16 Jul 2024

CT urography (CTU or CT IVU), also known as CT intravenous pyelography (CT IVP), has now largely replaced traditional IVU in imaging the genitourinary tract. It gives both anatomical and functional information, albeit with a relatively higher dose of radiation.

CTU has high sensitivity (96-100%) and high specificity (94-100%) of identifying ureteric and bladder calculi 2.

The aim is to illustrate the collecting systems, ureters and bladder with intravenous contrast, albeit in a single acquisition as opposed to the multiple and more dynamic traditional IVU. Visualization of other structures in the abdomen is also better with CTU than with traditional IVU. Upper tract tumors, strictures and to a degree the function of the kidney can be assessed.

A variety of techniques have been described 1. A CTU may be performed along with other CT studies of the genitourinary tract, such as a 3 or 4 phase or split bolus study 2.

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