Pre-prostatectomy intravenous urography--is it a must?

The value of intravenous urography (IVU) as a pre-operative necessity in patients with enlarged prostate is discussed. 150 IVUs were studied retrospectively, and on the basis of the findings it was concluded that it is still an important investigation in patients with "prostatism": 13.3% showed impaired renal function and back pressure changes, 21.3% showed coexistence of abnormalities and pathology of the urinary tract and 59.3% suggested enlarged prostate.