Acute renal failure is a rare complication of retrograde pyelography. We demonstrate a patient who experienced acute renal failure induced by bilateral retrograde pyelography. The possible mechanisms, including renal and post-renal causes, are also discussed. Post-obstructive diuretic phase after early urinary diversion is an evidence of obstructive renal failure. Early urinary diversion also shortens the course of acute renal failure and reduces the requirement of hemodialysis which was experienced by cases reported previously.