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Assessment of the urinary bladder and urethra is commonly performed to investigate the cause of urinary tract infections. The study is also used to evaluate the bladder or urethra following surgery.
How do I prepare?
Prior to the procedure, you should empty your bladder and you will be asked to change into a hospital gown. You should inform your referring physician and the radiologist who is performing the procedure of any allergies that you might have, particularly to iodinated contrast material. If you are pregnant, please inform your doctor before scheduling the exam, as the procedure may have to be postponed or cancelled.
What can I expect during the procedure?
A radiologist and technologist perform the procedure together. A preliminary X-ray of the lower abdomen will be obtained. After review of the image, a nurse or the radiologist will wash your genital area with an antiseptic and introduce a small catheter into your bladder through the urethra.
Contrast material will then be infused slowly through the catheter into your bladder while being monitored with fluoroscopy. Once your bladder is full, X-rays may be obtained. The catheter will then be removed and more X-rays may be taken. If there is no examination of your urethra requested, you will be allowed to empty your bladder and the procedure will be complete. On occasion, when a surgeon is interested in a postoperative evaluation of the bladder, the catheter may be left in place.
If after completion of the cystogram an examination of your urethra is requested, a voiding cystourethrogram will be performed. At this time you will be asked to empty your bladder while the radiologist takes some X-rays of your urethra as the bladder empties. During this time, the radiologist will be looking to see if there is any reflux or backflow into your ureters (the tubes that connect
the kidneys to the urinary bladder). Female patients will empty their bladder into a bedpan while male patient will use a small urinal. After the radiologist reviews the images, a report will be sent to your referring physician who will discuss the results with you.
What can I expect after the procedure?
You may resume normal activities immediately after the procedure. You may experience a small amount of bleeding or discomfort following the exam, particularly with urination. This is not uncommon or unusual and should resolve in a day or two. There is also a very small risk of bladder infection with the catheter but this is minimized by the antiseptic technique used to place the catheter. If you experience any difficulty following the procedure, call your referring physician.
