Venography - RadiologyInfo

There is a very slight risk of an allergic reaction if contrast material is injected.
In rare cases, a venogram can cause a deep vein thrombosis.
There is a risk of injury to the kidneys with contrast injection. Patients with impaired kidney (renal)
function should be given special consideration before receiving iodine-based contrast materials by
vein or artery. Such patients are at risk for developing contrast-induced nephropathy, in which the
pre-existing kidney damage is worsened. See the Safety page
(www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safety/index.cfm?pg=sfty_contrast) for more information about
contrast materials.
Any procedure that involves placement of a catheter inside a blood vessel carries certain risks.
These risks include damage to the blood vessel, bruising or bleeding at the puncture site, and
infection.
There is always a slight chance of cancer from excessive exposure to radiation. However, the
benefit of an accurate diagnosis far outweighs the risk.
The effective radiation dose for this procedure varies. See the Safety page
(www.RadiologyInfo.org/en/safety/) for more information about radiation dose.
Because children are more sensitive to radiation exposure than adults, equipment and procedures
will be monitored in order to deliver the lowest possible dose to young patients.
A Word About Minimizing Radiation Exposure
Special care is taken during x-ray examinations to use the lowest radiation dose possible while producing
the best images for evaluation. National and international radiology protection organizations continually
review and update the technique standards used by radiology professionals.
Modern x-ray systems have very controlled x-ray beams and dose control methods to minimize stray
(scatter) radiation. This ensures that those parts of a patient's body not being imaged receive minimal
radiation exposure.
What are the limitations of venography?
The results of a venogram can be altered or affected if you are unable to sit still during the procedure
since that will affect how the contrast material moves through your veins. Further exams may also be
required if the more central veins located in the pelvis, abdomen and chest are not fully evaluated with
contrast injection via an IV placed in the extremity.
In some cases, ultrasound is a preferred procedure because it has fewer risks and side effects.
Disclaimer
This information is copied from the RadiologyInfo Web site (http://www.radiologyinfo.org) which is dedicated to
providing the highest quality information. To ensure that, each section is reviewed by a physician with expertise in
the area presented. All information contained in the Web site is further reviewed by an ACR (American College of
Radiology) - RSNA (Radiological Society of North America) committee, comprising physicians with expertise in
Venography Page 4 of 5
Copyright© 2014, RadiologyInfo.org
Reviewed Aug-5-2013