Ureteral Strictures Tests

How we diagnose ureteral strictures

  • Nuclear medicine renal scan: This study indicates how well the kidney is draining. It involves placing a tracer into the blood and following that tracer as it moves through the kidney and into the ureter. It also shows how well the kidney is functioning.
  • Antegrade nephrostogram: This test involves placing a small tube through the skin of the back and into the kidney. Contrast dye is then placed into the kidney as images are taken, allowing us to see where the ureter narrows down and if there is drainage of urine from the kidney.
  • Retrograde pyelogram: For this procedure, a small camera is placed through the urethra and into the bladder. Then a small tube is placed into the ureter while contrast dye is injected as images are taken. This allows doctors to highlight the ureteral anatomy and identify exactly where the narrowing occurs.
  • CT urogram: This special computed tomography (CT) scan produces detailed anatomic information about not only the ureter, but surrounding structures as well.