Question Title: IVP Question

Hello and thankyou for taking the time to read my question. I recently came down with another kidney stone this past friday, I had my first one 10 years ago and passed it with a little help at a emergency room. So when I felt the pain this time I decieded that I would try to pass it on my own by drinking lots of water. The pain started about 3 in pm and by 9 I was on my way to the emergency room. To make a long story short, the doctor there did a IVP which ended up taking forever I thought. It seems that the contrast managed to outline my bladder, the urine in my bladder and the ureters and the ouline of my kidneys, but nothing in the kidneys? You know those little filter things. Is this a common problem with IVP's. I have had lots of IVP's done and have never run into this kind of problem. I also suffer from end stage liver failure with ascites and was just recently put on a diuretic for this, Lasix. And I also suffer from cryoglobulinemia which I know can cause some kinds of kidney problems. This just doesn't make any sense to me I guess? I am going to withdraw the pain meds today and see what the level of my pain is and follow up with my Primary on this. I guess it can't hurt if I don't pass this thing? I know my kidney is very tender to the touch and I can't take a deep breath. Have you ever heard or had a experience with IVP like this? The doctor said it was a lousy test and he couldn't tell anything because he couldn't see the little gluomphri or whatever they are called so he couldn't tell if there was a stone there or not. I also can't believe that you could at this day in age with HMO's and all go to an emergency room and recieve a very expensive lousy test? Any in put would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kendall

Dear Kandall,
It is difficult to comment without seeing the IVP. Even if it was lousy, there should still be a scout film, taken before the dye was given, and some delayed films which would provide some information. Nevertheless, a spiral CT scan without contrast could be done to determine if a stone is present. This scan can detects radiolucent stones on X-ray. This means that stones not seen on X-ray may be seen on CT scan.
As long as you are not having fevers, chills, nausea, or vomiting and you can tolerate the pain, you can continue to drink fluids and try to pass this presumed stone at home. If you have any of the above symptoms, or you cannot tolerate food, you should seek medical attention immediately.
If the test was truly lousy, they should repeat it. I have never herd of this type of situation before. Yes, we do have bad films from time to time. But all of the films, this sounds wrong to me.
This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653-6568).

Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-AK
*keyword:Renal Calculus

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