Cystography is a diagnostic procedure that involves inserting a catheter into the bladder to place dye inside the body, followed by an x-ray to identify structural problems, unusual nodules, or indications of bladder infection. The procedure is used to identify the cause of urinary problems and prescribe appropriate treatment, and is typically used before or after surgery of the urinary tract area. Possible risks include physical damage to the urinary tract from the catheter and an increased risk of urinary tract infections.
Some medical conditions require diagnostic procedures that can look inside the body. Cystography is an example of a procedure that focuses specifically on the bladder. Although the final image is taken from X-rays, the patient must first have a catheter inserted into the bladder to place the dye inside the body. Structural problems in the bladder, unusual nodules in the bladder or indications of bladder infection are the main problems identified using this procedure.
The bladder is the storage area for urine before it leaves the body. It is connected to the kidneys, where urine is formed, by two tubes called ureters. The channel through which urine leaves the body from the bladder is called the urethra. A person can control the movement of urine out of the body through relaxation and constriction of the muscular closure called the sphincter between the bladder and urethra.
Usually, this system works normally, but a person can experience problems if the urinary tract is affected by trauma, infection, or growth. Imaging the area and identifying problem areas in the urinary tract can help a doctor identify the cause of urinary problems and prescribe appropriate treatment. These are the main reasons a patient may have a cystography procedure, although people undergoing surgery of the urinary tract area may also receive the procedure, to check for problems before or after the operation.
In order for the image to be as clear as possible, the blister must be filled with a dye, which works to enhance tissue contrast. A full bladder also keeps several structural parts of the bladder distinct from each other. To get the dye into the bladder, the doctor must insert a catheter. This is a long, thin, flexible tube that is threaded through the urethra into the bladder, through the vagina in women and through the penis in men.
Once the bladder is filled with the dye, the patient can receive an x-ray of the area. This can be a still image of the region like a traditional x-ray, or your doctor can use a moving image technique called fluoroscopy, which results in a video-like recording of the scan. People who may not be suitable for cystography include pregnant women and those who may be allergic to dye ingredients. Possible risks of a cystography include physical damage to the urinary tract from the catheter and an increased risk of urinary tract infections.
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