Cystoscopy

Cystography, Cystourethroscopy

Why It Is Done

Cystoscopy may be done to:

• Find the cause of symptoms such as blood in the urine (hematuria), painful urination (dysuria), urinary incontinence, urinary frequency or hesitancy, an inability to pass urine (retention), or a sudden and overwhelming need to urinate (urgency).
• Find the cause of problems of the urinary tract, such as frequent, repeated urinary tract infections or urinary tract infections that do not respond to treatment.
• Look for problems in the urinary tract, such as blockage in the urethra caused by an enlarged prostate, kidney stones, or tumors.
• Evaluate problems that cannot be seen on X-ray or to further investigate problems detected by ultrasound or during intravenous pyelography, such as kidney stones or tumors.
• Remove tissue samples for biopsy.
• Remove foreign objects.
• Place ureteral catheters (stents) to help urine flow from the kidneys to the bladder.
• Treat urinary tract problems. For example, cystoscopy can be done to remove urinary tract stones or growths, treat bleeding in the bladder, relieve blockages in the urethra, or treat or remove tumors.
• Place a catheter in the ureter for an X-ray test called retrograde pyelography. A dye that shows up on an X-ray picture is injected through the catheter to fill and outline the ureter and the inside of the kidney.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: July 17, 2006
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology
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