Urinary System Radiographic Procedures

A Comprehensive collection of vocabulary and procedural terms for urinary system radiography, including anatomical scales, diagnostic indicators, and specific imaging techniques.

Urography

Radiographic examination of the urinary system.

Kidney Anatomy (Sthenic)

Kidneys normally extend from the level of the superior border of $T12$ to the level of the transverse processes of $L3$.

Respiratory Movement of Kidneys

Normally involves a movement of $1\,inch$ and drops no more than $2\,inches$ ($5\,cm$) when changing from supine to upright position.

Adult Bladder Capacity

Can hold approximately $500\,ml$ of fluid when completely full.

Micturition Desire

The desire for urination occurs when about $250\,ml$ of urine is in the bladder.

Normal BUN

A diagnostic indicator of the kidneys with a normal range of $8-25\,mg/100\,ml$.

Normal Creatinine

A diagnostic indicator of the kidneys with a normal range of $0.6-1.5\,mg/dl$.

Metformin (Glucophage)

Medication that should be withheld $48\,hours$ before and after the procedure when using iodinated contrast media.

Lactic Acidosis

A fatal adverse effect in patients who took metformin before radiologic procedures using contrast media.

Contrast Medium Reaction Timing

Most reactions occur within the first $5\,minutes$ after administration.

Pelvocalyceal System Visualization

Contrast medium appears in this system within $2-8\,minutes$.

Maximum Kidney Opacification

Occurs $15-20\,minutes$ after injection when contrast medium concentration is greatest.

Whitaker Test

A procedure used to measure the pressure gradients across the kidneys and bladder.

Intravenous Pyelography (IVP)

Refers specifically to the radiographic study of the renal pelvis.

Uroselectan

An organic compound with an iodine content of $42\%$ developed by Swick in $1929$.

Multiple Myeloma

A malignant condition of the plasma cells of the bone marrow, listed as a contraindication for contrast media.

Pheochromocytoma

A rare tumor of the kidney, listed as a contraindication for contrast studies.

Anuria

The absence of urine excretion.

Scout Film Purpose

To check anatomy, reveal calculi, establish exposure factors, and verify patient preparation.

Nephrogram

A radiographic image taken $30\,seconds$ to $1\,minute$ after bolus injection to demonstrate renal parenchyma.

Ureteric Compression Device

Used to retard or prevent the escape of urine to best demonstrate the pelvocalyceal system and proximal ureters.

Nephroptosis

The mobility or positional change of kidneys, best demonstrated by a post-void AP erect projection.

Antegrade Urography

Allows contrast medium to enter the kidney in the normal direction of blood flow via percutaneous puncture of the renal pelvis.

Retrograde Urography (RGU)

A non-functional examination where contrast medium is introduced backward against the flow into the pelvocalyceal system.

Voiding Cystourethrography (VCUG)

An X-ray image taken during voiding with the bladder and urethra filled with contrast medium; also called micturating cystourethrogram.

Chassard-Lapine Method

An axial view of the urinary bladder that best demonstrates the posterior surface within the pelvic area.

Hope and Campoy Technique

Recommended that infants and children be given a carbonated soft drink to distend the stomach with gas for better visualization.

Knutson Clamp

A device used for introducing contrast media during urethrography.

Percutaneous Nephrostomy

Insertion of a catheter through the skin into the renal pelvis to relief obstruction or remove calculi.

Double Contrast Cystography

Uses both negative (air/gas) and positive (barium sulphate) contrast to visualize the bladder wall and evaluate tumors.