Clinical significance of minimal changes on intravenous urography after spinal cord injury

Evidence is given to support the thesis that minimal pyelocaliectasis and ureterectasis are of little clinical significance in spinal cord injured patients. Such renal changes almost always improve or remain stable on sequential examinations. Since moderate or severe pyelocaliectasis is usually detected by renal scintillation procedures, these findings support its use as a urinary tract screening examination along with an abdominal radiograph to detect calculi. The need for long-term serial examination of the urinary tract in spinal cord injury is emphasised.