The value of routein intravenous urography in acute epididymitis

The urographies of 106 patients with acute epididymitis are reviewed. In 71 cases the urogrpahy was completely normal, while in the remaining 35 patients abnormalities were found. In 25 patients the findings were consistent with hypertrophy of the prostate. More than half of the patients had known urological diseases and had undergone cystoscopy and/or catheterization prior to the onset of acute epididymitis. All 35 patients had demonstrated symptoms that would otherwise have resulted in intravenous urography independent of the epididymitis. No cases of urogenital tuberculosis were found. The authors conclude that routine urography under the age of 50 is not recommended. Over the age of 50 concomitant urological diseases are so common that urography is often indicated, but acute epidiymitis in itself is only a relative indication.