Quality criteria in diagnostic radiology of the kidneys and urinary tract

Diagnosis of the urinary organs using survey radiography of the abdomen and urography is based on the demonstration of the organ system as obtainable by these examination techniques. Survey radiography of the abdomen aims at a plain visualization of urinary organs and adjacent anatomical structures in the region of the retroperitoneal cavity and pelvis. Urography aims at a visualization of the urinary organs and at an assessment of urine flow in the upper urinary tract. Individual components of the urogram comprise nephrogram, pyeloureterogram, and i.v. cystogram. The quality criteria of both radiography methods and the influence of patient factors, focussing technique, contrast medium dose, etc. are described. (orig./MG)