Changes in the upper urinary tract as demonstrated on intravenous pyelography and micturating cysto-urethrography in patients with spinal cord injury.

1. Thirty-two per cent of cases examined by I.V.P. showed evidence of disease (20 per cent hydronephrosis, 12 per cent chronic pyelonephritis). 2. The incidence of V.U. reflux on micturating cysto-urethrography was 13 per cent. V.U. reflux is associated with chronic pyelonephritis in a high proportion of cases as would be expected. A normal pyelogram does not exclude V.U. reflux as mentioned by Cobb (1966). 3. Patients with complete paralysis show a significantly high incidence of chronic pyelonephritis, hydronephritis and V.U. reflux. 4. In case of unilateral hydronephrosis and chronic pyelonephritis there is a striking predilection for involvement of the right kidney. The cause for this is not evident but possibly the fact that the right ureter is shorter than the left is a factor.