Overview

A nephrostogram is a type of X-ray that looks at how urine drains from your kidney to your bladder through your ureter. Your ureter is the tube that connects your kidney to your bladder.

You might have a nephrostogram after getting a nephrostomy. A nephrostomy is a thin tube (catheter) that lets urine drain from your kidney into a bag outside your body.

Nephrostograms use an X-ray method called fluoroscopic imaging. This shows us images in real time, like a live video.

Benefits of a nephrostogram

You might have had a nephrostomy because your ureter was blocked or because your urine was not draining from your kidney. A nephrostogram will check if the treatment you had has improved how your kidney drains urine.

Based on the results of your nephrostogram, the radiologist and your doctor will decide if the nephrostomy catheter can be removed.

Risks of a nephrostogram

A nephrostogram uses X-rays, which are a type of radiation called ionising radiation. The amount of radiation used in medical X-rays is low and the risks are small.

We weigh up the benefits and risks of doing a nephrostogram before we recommend one for you. Talk to us if you have any questions or concerns.

The radiographer doing your X-ray will make sure the amount of radiation is kept as low as possible.

Radiation and pregnancy

Radiation can be harmful for an unborn baby. 

Before your nephrostogram, tell us if you’re pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant. We cannot do any procedures that involve radiation if you’re pregnant.

If you do not use contraception, try to avoid sex from the first day of your period until your appointment. If you have unprotected sex before your appointment, contact us to reschedule your appointment so that it takes place within the first 10 days of your period. This helps to make sure you are not pregnant during your nephrostogram.

If you use contraception, you can have sex as usual.

You’ll be asked to sign a form about your pregnancy risks before your nephrostogram.

Giving your permission (consent)

We want to involve you in decisions about your care and treatment. If you decide to have the procedure or treatment, we’ll ask you to sign a consent form. This says that you understand what’s involved and agree to have the treatment.

Read more about our consent process.

Before the nephrostogram

A nephrostogram uses a substance called a contrast agent. Contrast agents make X-ray images show up more clearly so we can see your internal organs better.

We use a contrast agent that contains iodine, which some people are allergic to.

You do not need to do anything else to prepare for a nephrostogram. If you take any medicines, keep taking them as normal.

Plan your journey and make sure you arrive on time for your appointment.

During the nephrostogram

When you get to hospital, you’ll meet the team who will care for you during your procedure. Nephrostograms are done by:

• a radiologist (a doctor who uses X-rays to diagnose and treat illnesses)
• a radiographer (a health professional that takes the images)

Getting ready

We’ll ask you to take off your clothes and put on a hospital gown. You can do this in a changing room.

Take off any:

• jewellery
• dentures
• glasses
• metal accessories

Tell your radiologist about:

• any medicines you’re taking
• any allergies you have
• your recent illnesses
• any other medical conditions

We’ll take you to the fluoroscopy room. You can lie on your side or face down on the X-ray table.

Inserting the contrast agent

We’ll remove the dressing covering your nephrostomy catheter. We’ll clean the area and cover it with clean towels.

We’ll remove your drainage bag and connect your nephrostomy catheter to a syringe filled with contrast agent.

Taking X-ray images

We’ll insert the contrast agent through your catheter into your kidney. As the contrast agent flows through your ureter and into your bladder, we’ll take some X-ray images. You might feel the contrast agent passing into your kidney, but this should not be painful.

We might ask you to change position so we can see your kidneys and bladder from different angles. The X-ray equipment will also move around you so we can get the best images we can.

The radiologist and radiographer will be with you during the nephrostogram. You can ask them any questions and let them know if you feel uncomfortable.

Finishing the procedure

Once we’ve taken all the X-ray images we need, we’ll drain the contrast agent from your kidney.

If your doctor and the radiologist decide that you no longer need the nephrostomy catheter, we’ll remove it. We make this decision based on your X-ray images.

If you still need the nephrostomy catheter, we’ll reattach it to a drainage bag.

A nephrostogram usually takes about 20 minutes. You might have to wait a few minutes while we check the images. It’s important we make sure the images show everything we need to see.

After the procedure

You can leave hospital after your nephrostogram is done.

Most people do not get any side effects after a nephrostogram. If you feel unwell after leaving hospital, contact the doctor who referred you or a GP.

Getting your results

Your radiologist will examine your nephrostogram images and write a report about what they see. We’ll send this to the doctor who referred you for the nephrostogram. Your doctor will discuss the results with you and talk about any treatment you might need.

You should already have a follow-up appointment scheduled with the doctor who referred you. If not, contact them to arrange one.