Retrograde Pyelogram in India: Advanced Imaging & Care at Lower Cost

Retrograde Pyelogram in India offers precise urinary tract imaging using advanced technology. Get accurate diagnosis, expert care, and affordable treatment for kidney and ureter conditions.

Retrograde Pyelogram in India: Advanced Imaging & Care at Lower Cost

  • Category

    Urology

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    08-Oct-2025

Retrograde pyelogram in India

A Retrograde Pyelogram (RPG) is a specialized type of imaging that is performed to visualize the urinary collecting system (i.e. ureters and renal pelvis) the other imaging studies (such as ultrasound or IV contrast CT scans) have been inconclusive or cannot be done.

Purpose of Retrograde Pyelogram

  • To identify obstructions, stones, tumor, strictures or congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract.
  • The contrast is often used in situations where intravenous contrast cannot be administered thanks to allergy or kidney issues.
  • Have the ability to direct some urological surgeries, such as stenting.

Advantages

  • Applicable in patients who are unable to get IV contrast.
  • Delivers good visualization of ureters and renal pelvis.
  • May be used together with treatment techniques such as stone removal.

Retrograde Pyelogram Indications

The Retrograde Pyelogram (RPG) is an advanced imaging device that is applied to visualize the ureters and the renal pelvis. Mostly it is denoted in cases where other imaging examinations might be inconclusive or not possible.

The following is a list of indications in detail:

Possible Ureteral Obstruction

  • Obstructed ureter by kidney stones.
  • Ureteral strictures or constriction.
  • Tumor or extrinsic compression.

Hematuria (Blood in Urine)

  • To determine the etiology of bleeding in ureters or renal pelvis.
  • To identify tumors in the ureter or the renal pelvis.

Analysis of Urinary Tract Abnormalities

  • Congenital defects e.g. duplicated ureters or ectopic ureters.
  • Abnormalities of the ureters or the renal pelvis that are not visible using ultrasound or CT.

Pre-Surgical Planning

To evaluate the anatomy of the ureters prior to surgery including:

  • Ureteral stent placement
  • Stone removal surgery
  • Tumor resection

Intravenous Contrast is not applicable

Patients with:

  • Allergy to IV contrast
  • Renal dysfunction (toxic IV contrast is not permitted because of renal dysfunction)

Postoperative Urological Surgery

To check for:

  • Postoperative strictures
  • Poststent or postreconstruction urinary (ureteral) patency.

Diagnosis of Masses or tumors

  • To identify tumours of the ureteral or renal pelvis in cases where other imaging is not conclusive.

Best hospitals for retrograde pyelogram in India

Factors Affecting Retrograde pyelogram test cost in India

The price of a Retrograde Pyelogram (RPG) is subject to a wide range of influences by its numerous factors. The following is a breakdown of what causes the price:

Hospital or Clinic

  • Facility type: Private hospitals tend to be more expensive than government or public hospitals.
  • Popularity and location: Well known or those located in the metro cities incur high prices.

Expertise of the Urologist

  • Very experienced urologists or experts might be charging more when consulting and performing procedures.
  • The presence of a trained radiologist to interpret the images may also impact the cost.

Type of Anaesthesia

  • Local anaesthesia is cheaper.
  • General or regional anaesthesia will be more expensive because of the cost of anaesthesia, observation, and aftercare.

Imaging Technology

  • The prices differ according to the machine used in x-ray or fluoroscopy.
  • Modern imaging systems can be of a higher quality but are more expensive.

Complexity of the Procedure

  • Basic diagnostic is cheaper.
  • The cost increases in case further procedures are carried out at the time of carrying out the test (e.g. stent placement, stone removal).

Pre- and Post-Procedure Care

  • Blood tests, urine tests or pre-anaesthesia check-up costs.
  • Charges in recovery rooms and post-procedure care can be expenses on top of cost.

Medications

  • The overall cost can be affected by contrast dye, painkillers and antibiotics (assuming that they are administered).

Geographic Location

  • The expenses are usually more in the city than in smaller towns or regions.

Factors Affecting Affordable retrograde pyelogram test in India

A Retrograde Pyelogram (RPG) test in India costs differently depending on a number of factors. The following is a breakdown of how the cost of doing so is determined:

Type of Healthcare Facility

  • Private Hospitals: They are usually very expensive because of the first-rate infrastructure and special treatment.

Geographical Location

  • Metropolitan Cities: Cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore tend to have high cost of healthcare by demand and infrastructure.
  • Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities: Smaller cities can have the same quality of care at a lower price.

Surgeon’s Expertise

  • Older practitioners or professionals might have higher rates, but their knowledge can result in more precise diagnosis and improved performance.

Type of Anaesthesia

  • Local Anaesthesia: This is cheaper and is usually applied to RPG procedures.
  • General Anaesthesia: Could raise expenses because of the extra monitoring and recuperation.

Diagnostic and Imaging Evaluations

  • Tests such as blood tests or imaging tests before the procedure may increase the total cost.

Hospital Stay Duration

  • Majority of the RPG procedures are on an outpatient basis though hospitalization costs may arise in the event of a need to do the same.

Post-Procedure Care

  • Prescription drugs, revisits, and other treatment may be added to the overall cost.

Retrograde pyelogram procedure for international patients

The Retrograde Pyelogram Test is an x-ray test that is used to identify the ureters (pathways between the kidneys and the bladder) as well as the renal pelvis (the urine collecting part of the kidney) by introducing contrast dye directly into the ureters through the bladder. Contrast is typically injected retrograde (backward) into the ureter (RPG) as compared to the intravenous pyelogram (IVP), in which the contrast is injected into a vein.

How the Test is performed?

Patient Preparation:

  • Typically performed as local or regional or general anaesthesia.
  • Patient might have to void the bladder prior to the procedure.

Catheter Placement:

A thin tube with a camera known as a cystoscope is passed through the urethra and inside the bladder.
Then a catheter is inserted in the ureter.

Contrast Injection:

  • The ureter is injected with contrast dye.
  • The dye travels up to the kidney where it is taken as an X-ray or fluoroscopy.

Image Interpretation:

  • The images reveal any obstructives, rocks, tumors, or abnormalities of the structure.

Retrograde Pyelogram Recovery

The post procedure recovery following Retrograde Pyelogram (RPG) is normally not difficult since this is a procedure that is minimally invasive. Here’s a detailed overview:

Immediate Post-Procedure

  • Patients are normally observed near the test timeframes and then sent home.
  • A few mild pain or burning on urination is typical.
  • A small quantity of blood in the urine (hematuria) can be observed during 1-2 days.

Pain and Discomfort

  • Also, mild lower abdominal or flank pain can happen when catheterized or contrast injected.
  • The pain can normally be addressed using over-the-counter pain relievers.
  • A physician should be contacted on persistent or acute pain.

Activity

  • Majority of the patients are able to resume their normal activities within the same day.
  • During 24 hours, one should avoid active work or heavy lifting to avoid irritation.

Urination

  • Heightened frequency or urgency can be provisional.
  • Consuming a lot of water aids in the flushing out of contrast dye to lessen irritation.
  • Seek medical attention when the burning condition becomes more severe or when the blood in the urine continues more than two or three days.

Retrograde pyelogram treatment in India GetWellGo

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