Effectiveness of Selective Use of Intravenous Pyelography in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Ureteral Colic.

Objective: To determine whether IV pyelography (IVP) is required routinely for all patients presenting to the ED with ureteral colic.

Methods: A randomized prospective study was conducted with 2 patient groups-a routine IVP group, in which all patients underwent IVP, and a selective IVP group, in which patients were treated, observed, and released without undergoing IVP unless they experienced continued symptoms. The study was performed in a large university-affiliated, community hospital ED.