Cystourethrogram & bull; hello healthy

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Definition

What is a cystourethrogram?

A cystourethrogram is an x-ray scan that will take pictures of your bladder and urethra while your bladder is full and when you urinate. A thin, flexible tube (catheter) will be inserted through your urethra and into your bladder. A special fluid (contrast material) that will be seen during the x-ray scan is then injected into your bladder through the catheter, and the doctor will begin an image scan. Additional x-ray scans will be done as urine flows out of your bladder, a procedure called a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG).

If an x-ray is taken while contrast material is being injected into the urethra, this scan is called a retrograde cystourethrogram because the fluid flows into the bladder in reverse from the normal flow of urine.

When should I undergo a cystourethrogram?

The scan is performed to diagnose the cause of urinary tract infection, especially in children who have had more than one bladder infection.

A cystourethrogram is also performed to diagnose and check:

• difficulty emptying the bladder
• birth defects of the bladder or urethra
• narrowing of the ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder) in men
• reverse flow (reflux) of urination from the bladder to the kidneys

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before undergoing a cystourethrogram?

The voiding cystourethrogram test cannot check for obstruction of urinary flow from the kidneys. Additional tests are needed if obstruction in urine flow is suspected. A voiding cystourethrogram test should not be performed when an active bladder infection is detected and it has not been treated.

Process

What should I do before undergoing a cystourethrogram?

Tell your doctor if:

• You are breastfeeding. Contral material (x-ray fluid) used during the test may be absorbed into breast milk. Do not breastfeed your baby for 2 days after doing this procedure. To work around this, you can pump and store breast milk before undergoing the cystourethrogram, or give formula milk to your baby. Express and discard breastmilk for 2 days after undergoing the test
• You show signs of a bladder infection, such as pain or a burning sensation when urinating
• You have an allergy to the iodine dye used as a contrast material during the cystourethrogram test, or to other substances that contain iodine. Also tell your doctor if you have asthma, are allergic to certain medications, or have had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), such as the sensation you get after being stung by a bee or eating shrimp / shellfish.
• within 4 days, you have had an x-ray using a barium contrast material, such as a barium enema, or have taken medications (such as Pepto-bismol) that contain bismuth. Barium and bismuth can affect test results
• You have an intrauterine device (IUD), or contraceptive implanted in the uterus

This test is commonly done in children to see if they have an abnormal backflow of urine (vesicoureteral reflux). Prepare your child for the necessary examinations and tests by describing them in a way that is acceptable to young children. Use positive words as often as possible. Doing this will help your child understand what to face during the exam and reduce fear.

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about this test procedure, the possible risks, how the procedure was performed, or the results you received.

How is the cystourethrogram process?

A cystourethrogram is performed by a urologist or radiologist. The medical officer will be assisted by an x-ray technician. You do not usually have to be hospitalized to have this test. You will be asked to remove some or all of your clothing, in exchange for which you will be given a special cloth to cover your body during the test. You will be asked to urinate before the test begins.

You will be lying on your back on an examining table. Your genital area will be sterilized and covered with a sterile cloth. The male patient will be given a lead made of shield to protect his genital area from radiation exposure. However, the ovaries in female patients cannot be protected without obstructing the image of the bladder.

The catheter will be slowly inserted through the urethra into the bladder. A contrast material fluid will then be injected through the catheter to fill your bladder. The image scans will be performed while you are standing, sitting and lying down. Then, the catheter will be removed and the doctor will take x-ray pictures of you urinating. You may be asked to stop urinating, change positions, and start urinating again. If you have difficulty urinating in one position, you will be asked to try again in a different position.

This test usually takes about 30-45 minutes.

What should I do after undergoing a cystourethrogram?

A radiologist will supervise and explain the course of the procedure, then analyze the resulting images to send to your doctor or therapist, who is responsible for explaining the test results to you. Follow-up examinations may be needed, and your doctor will explain the exact reasons why you need it. additional test. Sometimes, follow-up tests are performed based on the doctor's suspicion of unfamiliar findings in the test results that require further clarification with other specialized scanning techniques. Further examination is also needed to monitor whether there are changes in the abnormal results that have been previously known. Follow-up tests are sometimes the best way to check if therapy is working or if an abnormality is stable over time.

Explanation of the Test Results

What do my test results mean?

Some cystourethrogram test results may be received immediately after the procedure. The final result will follow within 1-2 days thereafter.

Cystourethrogram
Normal:	The bladder looks normal The flow of urine from the bladder is smooth The bladder can empty completely The contrast material fluid drifts smoothly through the fine-walled urethra
Abnormal:	Gall bladder stones, tumors, or narrowing (diverticula) are detected in the urethra or bladder If the test is done because of an injury to the bladder, a tear is found in the wall of the urethra or bladder Urine flows backward from the bladder to the ureter (vesicoureteral reflux) Contrast fluid leaks out of the urethra The bladder does not empty completely Enlarged prostate gland

What can affect the test?

The reasons below explain why you cannot do the test or your test results may not be clear:

• there is barium (leftovers from previous barium enema tests), gas, or feces in the digestive tract
• can not urinate immediately
• complaining of pain caused by pain from the catheter inserted. It can also cause problems with your urinary flow. You may experience muscle spasms or be unable to fully relax the muscles in your bladder

Cystourethrogram is usually not performed during pregnancy because x-ray radiation can pose a risk to the health of the fetus.