Evaluation of urosonography and intravenous urography with ionic and non-ionic contrast agents

The study was conducted to determine potential of urography using ionic and non-ionic contrast agents and urosonography and compare imaging quality and systemic effects of these agents. Eighteen dogs were equally divided into three groups, A, B and C. Animals of group A and B underwent intravenous urography with iohexol, and sodium and meglumine salt of diatrizoic acid, respectively. Urosonography was performed in animals of group C. Assessment of renal function, morphometric measurements and anatomical location of kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra was done. Systemic effects of contrast agents were evaluated clinically, haematologically and biochemically at different time intervals. Significantly (P<0.05) decreased haemoglobin, total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, neutrophils, eosinophils and plasma calcium, and significantly (P<0.05) increased plasma creatinine, urea nitrogen and phosphorus were recorded in group B at 1 hr of contrast agent administration. Group A showed significant (P<0.05) decrease in eosinophils and increase in plasma creatinine at 1 hr interval post-injection of contrast agent. Left and right kidney volume was 33.27±1.58 and 37.085±2.12 cm³, respectively. Luminal diameter of ureter was 1.091±0.21 cm, pre-void bladder volume was 154.43±2.36 cm³, and the bladder wall thickness was 1.32±0.18 mm. Length and width of the bladder was 5.18±1.78 and 3.5±0.77 cm, respectively. Residual urine volume was 10.26±1.20 cc. It was concluded that iohexol produced better renal image and less systemic changes than that of meglumine. Ultrasonography is suitable for detecting echotexture and conducting morphometric measurements.