Changing indications for excretory urography

Most individuals suspected of having renovascular hypertension, men with benign prostatic enlargement, women with recurrent infections of the urinary tract or urinary stress incontinence, women undergoing hysterectomy, uremic and diabetic patients, and patients with renal transplant or adult polycystic kidney disease should not, as a rule, undergo routine excretory urography (EU). Possible morbidity and mortality and unwarranted cost do not justify the study, since the majority of individuals in any of these situations do not benefit from the information obtained from the study. Excretory urography must be performed selectively, rather than routinely, in such persons. As the authors emphasize, modified EU, often using only two to three films, may be performed under many clinical situations to reduce radiation exposure, toxic effects, and cost to the patient