[Value of an abbreviated intravenous urogram]

92% of patients (n = 250) were correctly diagnosed following retrospective evaluation of the plain film and one film taken 20 minutes after administration of an increased quantity of contrast medium (250 ml 30% contrast medium instead of 50 ml 58% contrast medium) for intravenous pyelography. In the remaining 8% of cases, additional information was provided by subsequent films--in 90% (of these 8%) by way of "delayed films" and only in 10% (of the 8%) by way of "early films". If information provided by 20-minute films is insufficient further films have to be obtained in any case and, thus, the patient does not escape diagnosis. In 99.2% of cases shortened intravenous urograms provided relevant information. Hence, 50% of all routinely obtained films for intravenous urograms are unnecessary if a sufficient quantity of contrast medium is administered. It appears mandatory, therefore, to change our outlook regarding this issue.