Is ureteric compression still necessary?

A prospective randomised trial was performed to examine the value of ureteric compression in intravenous urography. Calyceal distension improved during the urogram in 68% of kidneys when compression was used, in contrast to an improvement of 43% in patients not receiving compression. In both heavy patients and those with a large girth a trend towards improved distension was shown but was significant only in the former group.