This document discusses two modalities for imaging the renal system: intravenous pyelogram (IVP) and DTPA scan. IVP uses x-rays to anatomically image the urinary tract after injecting contrast media, but exposes patients to higher radiation. DTPA scan uses a radioactive tracer to evaluate renal function and perfusion with gamma cameras, requiring no bowel prep and exposing patients to much less radiation. While IVP is useful for detecting disorders affecting the urinary tract, DTPA scan is the modality of choice as it provides functional information on glomerular filtration rate and kidney blood flow with a significantly lower radiation dose.