Digital nephropyelography following intravenous renal digital subtraction angiography.

A 14-inch image intensifier designed for digital radiography has made feasible adjunctive evaluation of the renal parenchyma and collecting structures following intravenous digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Initial experiments with rabbits showed digital nephrography to be superior to film-based nephrotomography in terms of renal conspicuity and imaging flexibility. Preliminary experience with 30 patients undergoing DSA reaffirms the suitability of this method for the evaluation of renal anatomy and function. Only about half the amount of contrast material needed for conventional excretory urography is required.