Acute renal failure after excretory urography in diabetic patients

Currently used contrast media for excretory urography are generally considered safe even in the presence of renal insufficiency. Isolated reports of acute oliguric renal failure in diabetic patients after excretory urography have been documented. We describe eight such patients who developed this complication. The approximate incidence of recognized acute oliguric renal failure in diabetics undergoing excretory urography was 2 in 1000 as compared with none in more than 100 000 procedures done in nondiabetic patients. Six of the diabetic patients with acute renal failure recovered; two required hemodialysis, never regaining self-sustaining renal function. If detected early, acute renal failure in this setting can often be managed conservatively. Attempts to induce diuresis have been discouraging.