Are dedicated bladder films necessary as part of intravenous urography for haematuria?

Objective: To determine the use and assess the value of full-bladder films during intravenous urography (IVU) which, despite the widespread availability of flexible cystoscopy, remain part of IVU in many radiology departments. Materials and methods A telephone survey of all Scottish radiology departments where IVU is regularly used showed that half routinely included a full-bladder film in the series. The reports of all IVU over 2 years in the authors' department were analysed retrospectively. The index urogram of all patients with bladder tumours confirmed during this period was reviewed independently by three observers, and together with the initial radiological reports was correlated with the cystoscopic and histological findings.

Results: From 2625 patients, 139 (5.2%) IVU reports commented on the bladder; 1423 patients presented with no haematuria. None of the patients without haematuria, where a comment was made about the bladder, had pathological evidence of a tumour. Overall 121 of 464 (26%) new bladder tumours were diagnosed on IVU before cystoscopy. Multiple tumours were always undetected and large tumours were often overlooked.

Conclusions: Despite its continuing popularity, IVU is a poor means of identifying bladder tumours and routine views of the full bladder should be abandoned.