Radiology · London
Intravenous pyelogram in London, by a consultant radiologist.
The heritage X-ray of the urinary tract, in a modern unit - and with the honest conversation about whether a CT urogram would answer your question better.
Indicative pricing
What a private IVP costs in London - and the modern alternatives beside it.
Indicative ranges across our partner units.
In short
£250–£500, report in 48 hours.
| Test | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intravenous pyelogram (IVP/IVU) | £250–£500 | 60–90 min | 48 h |
| CT urogram (CTU) - most common alternative | £450–£750 | 30 min | 48 h |
| CT KUB (stone protocol, no contrast) | £300–£550 | 15 min | 48 h |
| MR urogram (no radiation, no iodine) | £700–£1,100 | 45 min | 48 h |
| MAG3 renogram (function and drainage) | £600–£950 | 60 min | 48 h |
| US KUB (screening) | £180–£320 | 20 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by unit, by which radiologist reports the study, and by whether delayed films or a follow-up cross-sectional scan are needed.
The problem
The right test, the right radiologist, the right next step.
IVP is a heritage test that is still occasionally booked out of habit. Sometimes it is right; often a CT urogram would answer the question in a fraction of the time. We say which, before you commit.
-
Not sure IVP is the right test?
For visible haematuria NICE points to CT urogram. For stones, CT KUB. We tell you which fits your question.
-
Worried about contrast or radiation?
Both are modest and manageable. If your kidney function is low or you have an iodine allergy, we switch to MR urogram.
-
Want a proper report?
A named consultant radiologist within 48 hours - not a same-day printout with nowhere to go.
When it helps
When an IVP is still the right test - and when it is not.
The situations where IVP genuinely earns its place in 2026 UK practice - plus the one red flag that means the emergency department, not an appointment.
-
Visible (macroscopic) haematuria
Blood in the urine you can see. NICE NG12 now points to CT urogram on a two-week-wait pathway - IVP is an occasional alternative if CT is contraindicated.
-
Suspected upper-tract obstruction
Stone, tumour or a congenital narrowing blocking the ureter. Mostly CTU or CT KUB now - IVP still gives useful drainage information in select cases.
-
Urolithiasis assessment
Before or after stone treatment: to map the collecting system and confirm the ureter is draining freely.
-
UPJ obstruction (pelvi-ureteric)
The junction between the kidney and ureter narrows and blocks. A MAG3 renogram is the modern first choice, but IVP still shows the anatomy well.
-
Congenital renal anomaly
Ectopic kidney, duplex system, horseshoe kidney. Ultrasound and MRI are usually first - IVP is occasionally added.
-
Post-op assessment after reconstruction
After surgery on the ureter or bladder, some centres still use IVP to confirm the repair is watertight and draining.
-
Contrast-CT contraindicated
A niche indication: patients who cannot have a CT for a specific reason, where IVP’s lower radiation dose is preferred and iodinated contrast is still safe.
-
Red flag: heavy visible haematuria
Frank blood with clots, pain or the inability to pass urine is not a scan booking - that is same-day A&E.
Test options
IVP is not the only option - and often not the best.
What each urinary-tract test actually involves - and which fits which question.
-
Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
The classic X-ray series with iodinated contrast, at 1, 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes. Lower radiation than CTU but less detail - the heritage test.
-
CT urogram (CTU)
The modern first-line for visible haematuria (NICE NG12). Cross-sectional detail across kidneys, ureters and bladder in one appointment.
-
CT KUB (non-contrast)
The first-line for suspected stones. Fast, no contrast, and picks up almost every stone the ureter can hide.
-
MR urogram
No radiation, no iodine. The alternative for pregnancy, iodine allergy, poor kidney function (eGFR under 30) and paediatric cases.
-
MAG3 renogram
Nuclear-medicine scan that measures differential function and drainage - the go-to for UPJ obstruction and split-function questions.
-
US KUB
Ultrasound of kidneys, ureters and bladder. No radiation, useful for screening and follow-up, but limited for detailed answers.
-
Delayed IVP films
Extra films at 60 to 120 minutes when the collecting system is dilated and slow to fill - added on the day if needed.
Safety and honest limits
What to weigh before you book - honestly.
IVP is a safe, well-established investigation. The things worth thinking about are contrast, kidney function, and whether a modern cross-sectional test would answer the question better.
-
A heritage test, honestly
IVP is a legacy investigation. CT urogram has replaced it in most UK centres for most indications. It is still an option - but it should be a chosen option, not a default.
-
Radiation dose is real but modest
Around 4–8 mSv per study - lower than CTU (10–15 mSv) but higher than plain films. A few years of background radiation, delivered in one hour.
-
Contrast reactions are uncommon
Mild reactions (nausea, urticaria) in 1–3% of patients, moderate in 0.1–0.2%, severe anaphylaxis in 0.01–0.04%. Adrenaline is on the trolley and the radiologist is trained.
-
Kidney function matters
Contrast-induced nephropathy is a real risk if kidney function is already impaired. Below eGFR 30 we would use MR urogram or non-contrast options instead.
-
Extravasation at the cannula
Rarely, contrast leaks around the cannula rather than into the vein. Uncomfortable and bruises for a few days - very seldom anything worse.
-
Iodine allergy needs planning
A previous reaction to iodinated contrast means either pre-medication with steroids and antihistamines, or switching to MR urogram.
-
Bowel prep is not glamorous
Senna the night before, sometimes polyethylene glycol as well. Empty bowel loops make the films readable - without it the study can be non-diagnostic.
-
False positives and false negatives happen
No urinary-tract imaging is perfect.
-
Incidental findings
Occasionally the films pick up something unrelated - a cyst, an unexpected mass. We talk you through what it means and what happens next.
Reading your report
Your IVP report in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever unit reports the study, the letter that comes back keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Radiology language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the report before your urology appointment, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and technique
Why the study was requested, which contrast was used (Omnipaque, Visipaque or Iomeron), the volume given, and which delayed films were needed.
- 02 Findings
Kidneys, ureters and bladder
Systematic read of both kidneys’ contrast uptake, the calyces, the ureters end-to-end, and the bladder pre- and post-void.
- 03 Drainage
Obstruction, filling defects and stones
Whether contrast drains freely, whether any filling defect suggests a stone or a tumour, and whether either kidney is delayed.
- 04 Impression
What it means, and the next step
Read this first: the radiologist’s summary in plain English, and whether a CTU, MRU, MAG3 or urology opinion should follow.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for IVP and its alternatives varies by insurer and by indication - usually funded when there is a clinical referral.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about intravenous pyelogram.
Quick answers on contrast, radiation, cost, kidney function and how IVP compares with CT urogram.
-
Is an IVP still used in the UK in 2026?
Yes, but rarely as a first choice. CT urogram has replaced IVP for most indications, particularly for visible haematuria under NICE NG12. Some UK units still offer IVP for specific reasons - a preference for lower radiation, a contraindication to CT, or centre familiarity. It is a heritage test with a shrinking role.
-
What is the difference between IVP and CT urogram?
IVP is a series of X-ray films taken at set times after an IV contrast injection. CT urogram is a cross-sectional CT with the same contrast - much more detail, similar dose, one appointment. For most patients CTU is now the better answer.
-
How long does the appointment take?
Sixty to ninety minutes. Films are taken at one, five, fifteen, thirty and sixty minutes after the injection, with an extra prone film to fill the ureters and a post-void film of the bladder at the end.
-
Is the contrast injection safe?
For most patients, yes. Mild reactions (a warm flush, a metallic taste, occasional nausea) affect one to three percent. Serious allergic reactions are rare - around one in five to ten thousand - and the radiologist is trained and equipped for them.
-
What if I have reduced kidney function?
Below eGFR 30 we would normally use MR urogram or a non-contrast option instead - iodinated contrast can worsen impaired kidneys. Between 30 and 60 we hydrate carefully. We will always check your bloods before booking.
-
How much radiation is involved?
Roughly four to eight millisieverts - the equivalent of one to two years of natural background radiation, delivered in an hour. Lower than a CT urogram (ten to fifteen mSv), higher than a plain KUB film.
-
Do I need bowel prep beforehand?
Yes. Empty bowel loops make the films readable. Most protocols use senna the night before, sometimes with polyethylene glycol. We send written instructions with the appointment.
-
How much does a private IVP cost in London?
Roughly £250 to £500. A CT urogram runs £450 to £750, CT KUB £300 to £550, MR urogram £700 to £1,100 and MAG3 renogram £600 to £950.
Related tests