10 Facts About Fistulas

4. Intravenous Pyelogram

An intravenous pyelogram is an X-ray common in diagnosing bladder fistulas. The person may be asked to stick to a diet of clear liquids or fast altogether before the procedure. This is to make sure that the colon does not contain any stools at the time of the x-ray that may block the surgeon's view of the bladder. The doctor injects the dye into a blood vessel, usually in the arm, then takes several x-rays from different angles to get a clear view.

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