Cystoscopy of the bladder is the examination of the walls of the urethra, bladder, and ureteric outlets.
The study is carried out using special optics to diagnose various changes and diseases.
During the procedure, the doctor has the opportunity not only to identify the pathology, but also to perform a biopsy to take a biopsy sample and, if foci of the disease are identified, to carry out therapeutic measures in the form of administering medications.
The study is also unique because, thanks to it, the doctor examines the organ cavities, but also evaluates the condition of the kidneys based on the specific discharge from the ureters.
We can say that this opportunity becomes an auxiliary diagnostic method for identifying prostate pathologies.
But this plays a special role when preparing an operation to remove a kidney, when the condition of the remaining one will be decisive.
When is it carried out?
There is no age limit for conducting the study. Therefore, it is the main method for identifying certain diseases of the genitourinary system, due to its high information content.
Other methods, for example, ultrasound, although safer, do not provide the doctor with sufficient information.
In addition, as we noted above, during the course of this study, a biopsy can be performed for subsequent histological analysis.
If stones, tumors, or polyps are found during the examination, they can be destroyed and removed.
Having discovered ulcerative pathologies of the organ mucosa, the doctor cauterizes the damaged areas.
As for tumors in the prostate and inflammation in it, using research, the doctor determines how the process has spread to neighboring tissues, sees a picture of the specific involvement of the organ and urethra in the disease process.
Decoding the results
The results of the procedure will be issued in writing on average within 15 minutes after the study. The doctor will draw up a conclusion that reflects the condition, structure of the organ, characteristics and size, as well as the volume of residual urine. In general, such a study allows you to obtain the same information as a standard ultrasound - detect inflammatory diseases (signs of acute or chronic cystitis), suspect urolithiasis, see tumors and neoplasms. Additionally, the doctor will determine how much residual urine remains in the bladder after emptying.
If during the examination a residue of more than 30 ml is detected, the specialist will give recommendations on further actions. If prostate adenoma is suspected, additional diagnostic methods, consultation with a urologist, and laboratory tests may be required.
Indications and contraindications
The study is carried out for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In the first option, it is carried out in a number of cases, including:
- Often worsening cystitis;
- Suspicion of a neoplasm;
- Overactive bladder;
- Chronic pain syndrome in the pelvic area;
- Detection of atypical cells in urine;
- Dysfunction when urinating - pain, difficulty, etc.
How is the treatment study indicated for:
- Excision of tumors;
- Neutralization of bleeding;
- Destruction and extraction of stones;
- Biopsies;
- Administration of medications.
In addition to the above, the procedure helps restore urinary tract patency.
The study is contraindicated if the patient has manifestations of inflammation of the genitourinary organs, as well as in case of damage to the urethra.
Doctor's comment
Frequent urination or incontinence, lack of urge to urinate, weakened feeling of bladder fullness - are you tired of these symptoms? The impossibility of long walks, constant dependence on the availability of a toilet - urinary problems negatively affect your quality of life. To get rid of the disorders that have made your life uncomfortable, you must first of all make an appointment with a urologist who will prescribe examination and treatment. Our Center has the opportunity to undergo comprehensive diagnostics, which includes a variety of modern methods, including CUDI - a comprehensive urodynamic study of the lower urinary tract. During the examination, we will be able to determine the advisability of prescribing conservative therapy or verify the need for correction through surgery. By contacting us with such a delicate problem, you can count on an individual approach, and well-chosen treatment will forever relieve you of existing problems with urination.
Urologist Natalya Sumerova
How to prepare
Preparing for the study cannot be called difficult. The patient undergoes a urine test and some other tests. This is necessary to exclude contraindications.
Medicines that are responsible for reducing the rate of blood clotting taken by the patient are usually eliminated several days before the test.
There should be no sexual contact on the eve of the study.
Men are examined using, as a rule, spinal or general anesthesia, due to their anatomical characteristics.
For women, the procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia, which is applied to the tube of the device (endoscope).
Before the procedure, you need to have a bowel movement and thoroughly clean your genitals.
Everyone, without exception, must stop eating twelve hours before and drink three hours before.
How to prepare for the examination
Cystoscopy does not require special preparation. If it is performed under anesthesia, then you need to abstain from food 10-12 hours before the appointed time. 3-4 hours before the procedure, you should avoid consuming any liquids. Since you cannot drive after anesthesia, you should arrive at the clinic in another way. If the examination of the bladder walls is carried out without anesthesia, it is enough to simply appear on an empty stomach.
Attention! Before the procedure, external toilet of the genital organs should be performed.
Carrying out
The subject undresses and lies on his back, legs bent at the knees. The doctor should explain to him how the procedure is performed and what sensations may arise during it.
The external genitalia are treated with an antiseptic, and the device is lubricated with glycerin.
Men are given anesthesia into the urethra using a special syringe, and wait for the analgesic effect to begin. This continues for up to 10 minutes.
Depending on the chosen toolkit, there are options:
- Harsh intervention;
- The intervention is flexible.
Rigid involves the use of a rigid device that is mounted on a metal tube. Such a device has pros and cons. On the one hand, it straightens the tissue well, which is important for examination; on the other hand, it is more traumatic and causes significant discomfort to the patient.
Do not use a rigid device during pregnancy or with significant tumors localized in the pelvic organs.
A tube of the device is inserted into the urethra and a liquid is supplied to wash and straighten the folds of the organ membrane.
In order to supply and drain liquid, a special tap is connected to the device. For better visualization, the organ should be washed before the study. The water used to rinse the organ is collected for later study.
Flexible research involves the use of a flexible instrument. This is a movable polymer tube, at the end of which there is a lamp and optics.
The device easily passes into hard-to-reach places, which increases the information content of the study, and also significantly minimizes the possibility of injury and pain.
The advantages of the flexible option are obvious, so in modern medical practice it is replacing the hard option.
For children, a flexible version of the procedure using a pediatric endoscope is indicated.
Study in women
Typically, the test is easier for women than for men. The reason for this is the peculiarity of the urethra, short and straight.
General anesthesia is not required; a local option is used: an anesthetic is applied to the device.
Difficulties may arise if there are significant tumors in the uterus and pregnancy in its later stages, when the bladder is compressed by the uterus.
It must be understood that the procedure in the second case is performed only for health reasons: there is a high probability of provoking a spontaneous abortion.
Study in men
The anatomical features of a man (the length of the urethra can reach over twenty centimeters) cause certain difficulties in conducting the study.
The physician is required to be highly qualified and accurate. Mainly, this plays an important role at the stage when the device is inserted.
An anesthesiologist must be present during the examination, as there may be a risk of severe pain when it is necessary to administer an anesthetic drug.
Biopsy
We will separately talk about the procedure for taking a biopsy for subsequent histological examination.
The biopsy is taken in several ways:
- Biopsy is cold. The material is removed using special forceps inserted through the device.
- TUR biopsy. This is cutting off a piece of tissue or completely removing the tumor using an electrocoagulator, which is also carried out through an endoscope.
Both methods have pros and cons.
With the cold option there is minimal risk of damage to the organ wall, but there is little information about the spread of the tumor.
Cholangiography
TUR biopsy, on the contrary, provides comprehensive information about the development of the tumor and negates the risk of bleeding. The downside of this option is the high risk of injury.
Urethrocystoscopy (cystoscopy of the bladder) at the Paracelsus clinic, Sergiev Posad
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Urethrocystoscopy (bladder cystoscopy)
is an instrumental method for endoscopic examination of the walls of the urethra, bladder and ureteric outlets in order to identify pathology. In addition to the fact that urethrocystoscopy is a diagnostic procedure, it also allows for targeted sampling of biomaterial (simultaneous biopsy) when pathological foci are detected and medication is administered.
At the Paracelsus Medical Center, urethrocystoscopy is performed by qualified urologists who will ensure comfort for each patient, and the manipulation will not take much time. To perform urethrocystoscopy, a urethroscope is used - a special endoscopic device. At the Urology Department of the Paracelsus Medical Center, you can undergo a urethrocystoscopy procedure quickly and painlessly. And the presence of high-precision equipment allows our urologists to examine the urethra in detail and accurately establish a diagnosis.
Complications
After the procedure, blood discharge may appear in the patient’s urine for several days.
Not excluded:
- Burning;
- Discomfort in the urethra;
- Pain when urinating.
To quickly resolve these symptoms, you need to consume plenty of fluids during the first few days.
Among the complications that may appear after the study are the following:
- Acute cystitis;
- Damage to the organ wall;
- Bleeding;
- Injury to the urethra, some others.
Possible complications
What happens after the end of cystoscopy?
If the subject has undergone anesthesia, he remains for several hours in the clinic under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. If the patient feels well, you can go home. He is preliminarily prescribed antibacterial drugs to prevent complications of cystoscopy in the form of exacerbation of cystitis.
For several days after the procedure, pink mucus will be released from the urethra, and pain will be felt during micturition. Drinking plenty of fluids will reduce it. This measure will reduce the concentration of urine and prevent irritation of the damaged urethral mucosa.
Attention! If after endoscopy you have a fever or blood begins to come out of your urethra, consult a doctor immediately.
You can conduct a cystoscopic examination at Medical. We perform it under anesthesia in the form of general anesthesia, spinal or local anesthesia. Therefore, all unpleasant sensations will be minimized.
