The Early Nephrogram as a Routine Film in Intravenous Urography

Abstract A study has been made of the early nephrogram in a series of 200 unselected patients referred for intravenous urography. This film was taken as soon as possible after the rapid intravenous injection of a large dose of contrast medium through a wide‐bore needle. The superior density of the early nephrogram enabled the complete renal outline to be defined in 89% of cases, compared with 60% on the routine urography films. The kidneys were identified despite variation in the patients' age, weight, and overlying soft tissue shadows. In 37 patients observation of the initial, nephrogram provided helpful information. In 25 this was of diagnostic importance and could not be discerned on any other film. The addition of an early nephrogram to the routine for intravenous urography is recommended.