Role of intravenous urogram in investigation of urinary tract infection: an observational study.

OBJECTIVES To examine the value of an intravenous urogram (i.v.U) in patients with abnormal differential (99m)Tc dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) uptake without scarring or ultrasound abnormality. STUDY DESIGN Forty patients (age 0-19 years) were identified over a two year period in whom the differential renal uptake was >10%, who had smooth renal outlines, and had no evidence of scarring. All patients had an ultrasound examination. Two had marked urological abnormalities on ultrasound and eight had a duplex system in the kidney with greater DMSA uptake. In 18 patients where no explanation was apparent for the discrepant DMSA uptake, an i.v.U was performed. RESULTS Eight patients had a normal i.v.U. In the remaining 10 patients, six had duplex systems without scarring and four had appearances of scarring in the kidney with reduced DMSA uptake. CONCLUSIONS In this small selected group an i.v.U will identify a significant number of patients with normal kidneys, unrecognised simple duplex systems, or scarring where the DMSA scan has been inconclusive. This will help in planning long term follow up.