General information
Other names
| Where It's Done | Who Does It | How Long It Takes | Discomfort/Pain |
| Hospital radiology suite or office of radiologist. | Technician and radiologist. | About 1-2 hours. | Some discomfort when catheter is inserted. |
| Results Ready When | Special Equipment | Risks/Complications | Average Cost |
| A few minutes to a few days. | X-ray machine, foley catheter, fluoroscope and screen, and dye. | Minimal radiation risk. Because of foley catheter placement, there is a risk of bladder infection. | $$ |
None.
Purpose- To determine whether the bladder empties completely when you urinate.
- To diagnose reflux (in which urine backs up to the kidneys instead of flowing out through the urethra).
- To detect abnormalities of the urethra (used for this purpose more often in children than in adults).
The use of a radiopaque contrast dye to highlight internal structures and a fluoroscope (moving X-ray) allows the radiologist to actually see what happens internally when you urinate.
PreparationYou must disrobe and put on a hospital gown.
Test procedure- The technician will take a series of X-rays while you assume different positions.
- A catheter is then inserted into your bladder in order to drain urine and inject the contrast dye.
- When your bladder is full, the catheter is removed and you are asked to urinate.
- More X-rays are taken.
- You may be asked to wait until the X-rays are developed, after which you may resume normal activities.
- You should drink plenty of fluids after the test to help flush out the dye from your bladder and reduce burning during urination.
- Notify your doctor if you see blood in your urine or experience lower-abdominal pain or fever.
- Feces or gas in the bowels.
- Inability to urinate in a steady stream without muscle spasms.
A radiologist examines the flow of urine on the moving X-rays for signs of reflux.
Advantages- It is the only test that can diagnose reflux.
- It's a good way to determine how well the bladder empties.
- It requires insertion of a foley catheter.
- Some patients are embarrassed about having to urinate in front of a radiology screen.
- If there is a diagnosis of reflux, surgical correction may be recommended, especially for young children and kidney transplant patients.
- If the test indicates a problem with bladder contraction, further urologic testing may be recommended, or drugs such as urocholine may be prescribed to improve bladder function.
- In patients preparing for renal transplant, the presence of severe reflux may be an indication that the diseased kidney should be removed before the transplant.
