Health Library CystourethrogramFrom Healthwise

A cystourethrogram is an X-ray test that takes pictures of your bladder and urethra while you are urinating. A thin flexible tube ( catheter) is inserted through your urethra into your bladder. A liquid material that shows up well on an X-ray picture (contrast material) is injected into your bladder through the catheter, then X-rays are taken with the contrast material in your bladder. Additional X-rays may be taken while urine flows out of your bladder, in which case the test is called a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG).

If X-rays are taken while contrast material is being injected into the urethra, the test is called retrograde urethrogram because the contrast material flows into the bladder opposite the usual direction of urine flow.

A cystourethrogram is done to:

• Find the cause of repeated urinary tract infections.
• Look for injuries to the bladder or urethra.
• Find the cause of urinary incontinence.
• Check for structural problems of the bladder and urethra.
• Look for enlargement (hypertrophy) of the prostate or narrowing (stricture) of the urethra in men.
• Find out if urinary reflux is present. See an illustration of abnormal backflow of urine.
• Look more carefully at abnormalities first found by intravenous pyelography.

Tell your doctor if:

• You are or might be pregnant.
• You have symptoms of a urinary tract infection.
• You are allergic to the iodine dye used in the contrast material or any other substance that contains iodine. Also tell your doctor if you have asthma, are allergic to any medicines, or have ever had a serious allergic reaction ( anaphylaxis), such as after being stung by a bee or from eating shellfish.
• Within the past 4 days, you have had an X-ray test using barium contrast material, such as a barium enema, or have taken a medicine (such as Pepto-Bismol) that contains bismuth. Barium and bismuth can interfere with test results.
• You have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place.

You may be asked to sign a consent form authorizing this procedure. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results may mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form(What is a PDF document?).

If you are breast-feeding, give your baby formula for 1 to 2 days after the test.

A cystourethrogram is done by a urologist or a radiologist. The doctor may be assisted by an X-ray technologist. You usually will not have to be admitted to the hospital.

You will need to take off all or most of your clothes, and you will be given a cloth or paper covering to use during the test. You will be asked to urinate just before the test begins.

You will be asked to lie on your back on an X-ray table. Your genital area will be cleaned and draped with sterile towels. Men may be given a lead shield that covers their genitals to protect them from radiation. However, women's ovaries cannot be shielded without blocking the view of the bladder.

A catheter will be placed through your urethra and into your bladder and will then slowly inject the contrast material through the catheter until your bladder is full.

X-rays will be taken when you are standing up and sitting and lying down. The catheter is removed and more X-rays will be taken while you are urinating. You may be asked to stop urinating, change positions, and begin urinating again. If you are unable to urinate in one position, you may be asked to try it from another position.

After the test is over, drink lots of fluids to help wash the contrast material out of your bladder and to reduce any burning on urination.

This test usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.

You will feel no discomfort from the X-rays. The X-ray table may feel hard and the room may be cool. You may find that the positions you need to hold are uncomfortable or painful.

You will feel a strong urge to urinate at times during the test. You may also find it somewhat uncomfortable when the catheter is inserted and left in place. You will have a feeling of fullness in your bladder and an urge to urinate when the contrast material is injected. You may be sore afterward. If so, soaking in a warm tub bath may help.

You may feel embarrassed at having to urinate in front of other people. This procedure is quite routine for the X-ray staff. If you find yourself feeling embarrassed, take deep, slow breaths and try to relax.

During and after the test you may feel a burning sensation when you urinate. You may need to urinate frequently for several days after the test. You may also notice some burning during and after urination. Drink lots of fluids to help decrease the burning and to help prevent a urinary tract infection.

A cystourethrogram does not usually cause problems. Occasionally this test may lead to a urinary tract infection. If the contrast material is injected with too much pressure, there is some chance of damage to the bladder or urethra.

There is always a slight chance of damage to cells or tissue from radiation, including the low levels of radiation used for this test. However, the chance of damage from the X-rays is usually very low compared with the benefits of the test.

Some people may have an allergic reaction to the contrast material.

After the procedure

It is normal for your urine to have a pinkish tinge for 1 to 2 days after the test. Contact your doctor immediately if you have:

• Blood in your urine after 2 days.
• Lower belly pain.
• Signs of a urinary tract infection. These signs include:
  • Pain or burning upon urination.
  • An urge to urinate frequently, but usually passing only small amounts of urine.
  • Dribbling or leaking of urine.
  • Urine that is reddish or pinkish, foul-smelling, or cloudy.
  • Pain in the back just below the rib cage on one side of the body (flank pain).
  • Fever or chills.
  • Nausea or vomiting.

A cystourethrogram is an X-ray test that takes pictures of your bladder and urethra while you are urinating. Some results may be available immediately after the cystourethrogram. Final results are usually available within 1 to 2 days.

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Having barium (from a previous barium enema test), gas, or stool in the bowel.
• Being unable to urinate on command because of embarrassment at having to urinate in front of other people.
• Pain caused by having the catheter into the urethra. This may also cause problems with your urinary stream. You may have a muscle spasm or not be able to fully relax the muscles that control your bladder.

A cystourethrogram is not usually done during pregnancy because the X-rays could harm an unborn baby.

Other tests that use X-rays and contrast material to look for problems in the kidney, bladder, and urethra include:

• Retrograde urethrogram. This test is sometimes used to check for problems with a man's urethra. A small quantity of contrast material is injected into the urethra through a catheter. X-rays are then taken. This test can help find tears, scar tissue, prostate narrowing, tumors, or malformations of the urethra.
• Whitaker test. Also called a pressure/flow study, this test combines X-rays with measurements of pressure and flow in the kidneys and ureters. It is used to find the cause of blockage of the kidneys.
• Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) IVP is commonly done to diagnose certain diseases of the urinary tract (such as kidney stones, tumors, or infection) and detect abnormalities of the urinary tract that were present from birth (congenital). It can show the size, shape, and position of the kidneys, the bladder, the ureters, and the urethra, and it can evaluate the collecting system inside the kidneys. For more information, see the medical test Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP).

Other Works Consulted

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2004). Imaging of the Urinary Tract (NIH Publication No. 04–5107). Available online: http://www.urologic.niddk.nih.gov.

• Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2006). Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 3rd ed. St. Louis: Mosby.

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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