Are Excretory Urograms Necessary in Evaluating Women with Urinary Tract Infection?

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Of 164 excretory urograms obtained from women with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections, 88% were perfectly norma; 11 (6.7%) had minor, normal anatomic variations, 9 (5.5%) apparently had positive findings but in no case was a significant finding present that required surgical intervention or altered the therapeutic approach. The total cost of the studies to the patients involved was $17,930. Thus, an extremely negative cost-benefit ratio emerged. The routine use of excretory urograms as part of the evaluation of a woman with a urinary tract infection is expensive, unrewarding and has little justification.