What is retrograde pyelography?
The injection of contrast material directly into the distal ureter or the ureteral orifice of the bladder for visualization of the collecting system and ureter, without relying on the ability of the kidneys to excrete contrast media.
The primary use of retrograde pyelography is to evaluate suspected ureteral obstruction or ureteral urothelial cancer in a patient whose ability to excrete contrast material is significantly impaired.
This is an adjunctive technique when conventional imaging studies fail to adequately demonstrate the suspected pathology.
Retrograde pyelography does not evaluate the kidney parenchyma and requires cystoscopy to place the catheters. This procedure is usually performed by a urologist.
An alternative to the retrograde pyelography is antegrade pyelography, usually performed by an interventional radiologist.
A percutaneous needle is placed into the kidney collecting system, and contrast is injected.
