How To Do Retrograde Urethrogram

An x-ray of your urethra and bladder will be taken while you are lying on your side or back. Your urethra is gently guided into the X-ray contrast agent (dye). Although uncomfortable, this process doesn’t take very long. With the dye, more x-rays are obtained to better see your urethra.

How is a urethrogram performed?

The most common causes of urethral strictures are trauma, surgery, protracted catheterization, and radiation therapy. A urethrogram is a procedure used to show the location and characteristics of a urethral stricture that is clinically suspected. This test may be appropriate for males with inadequate urine flow who are not suspected to have prostatomegaly. The referral usually comes from a qualified urologist or on their recommendation.

A urethrogram is a contrast urethral examination done under fluoroscopic guidance. This is accomplished by inserting a catheter into the urethral meatus, gently inflating the balloon to create a seal, and then injecting a small amount of contrast material into the urethra while monitoring the image. A voiding study is frequently required and is performed by catheterizing the patient, filling the bladder afterward, withdrawing the catheter, and having the patient void while being imaged with spot films.

What are the prerequisites for having an urethrogram done?

Typically, urethrograms are performed following a specialist referral. Some urologists could consent to a urethrogram after speaking with you on the phone.

A urethrogram should not be performed until the urinary infection has been treated. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be taken into account in patients with recurrent urinary tract infections. The study can be conducted near the conclusion of an antibiotic course for a urinary tract infection.

What are the absolute contraindications for a urethrogram?

Realistically, there are no absolute contraindications. The danger of an adverse reaction is limited because the contrast is not intravenously administered. Patients who have a history of a moderate or severe contrast reaction should be premedicated or a different contrast should be employed, given the theoretical risk of contrast intravasation with urethral mucosal injury.

Unless there are unusual circumstances, such as the likelihood of traumatic catheterization or the failure of catheterization in a patient who needs to be catheterized as part of care, severe urinary tract infection should be treated before a urethrogram is performed.

What are the relative contraindications for a urethrogram?

Patients could be unwilling to have the treatment done because they are embarrassed by it. A thorough explanation and a sympathetic demeanor from the staff members present in the room throughout the process can typically overcome this, though.

What are the adverse effects of a urethrogram?

After catheterization, mild or light haematuria is typical, transient, and rarely problematic if patients are informed to expect it.

Investigation and treatment may be necessary for infections following catheterization. If the treatment is performed with the proper sterile approach, it is extremely uncommon.

An attempted urethrography in the presence of an acute urethral injury may create swelling or oedema and afterwards result in urine retention.

Are there alternative imaging tests, interventions or surgical procedures to a urethrogram?

The ideal method for assessing the female urethra, where the research is typically conducted to ascertain whether a diverticulum is present, is magnetic resonance imaging. A urethrogram in a male provides more useful information regarding the functional flow restriction caused by strictures.

Recently, there has been some interest in using ultrasound to study the urethra. The urethra must still be distended with jelly or fluid, making this procedure just as invasive.

Voiding studies are challenging and should only be conducted by experts in the field.

Further information about urethrogram

In an emergency case, urethrograms can be performed to confirm the presence of a ruptured or partially ruptured urethra. In most cases, all that is required is an ascending research. A suprapubic catheter can be used to manage the patient throughout the acute damage and healing phase while the study can be postponed for a few weeks. An elective repair can also be performed at a later time after the injury. At this point, a urethrogram is frequently helpful for operational planning.

What is the purpose of a retrograde urethrogram?

Male patients are the ones who typically undergo a retrograde urethrogram (RUG), a diagnostic procedure used to identify urethral disease such as urethral injuries or strictures.

The antegrade urethrogram procedure.

X-ray dye is first injected into the bladder. There are two ways to accomplish this: either the patient already has a suprapubic catheter that was surgically implanted, or a nurse will place a urinary catheter into the bladder through the urethra.

A radiologist performs urethrograms while a radiographer and occasionally a nurse are also present.

A radiologist will examine your images and write a report that will be given to your doctor. On occasion, the radiologist will address you directly while performing the examination.

  • Alice Springs Medical Center
  • Calvary Adelaide Medical Center
  • Noarlunga Medical Center
  • Pt Augusta Medical Center
  • Lincoln Hospital at Pt
  • St Andrew’s Medical Center

How can one urinate retrogradely?

We measure bladder emptying by adding 300 mL of saline retrogradely through the already-installed catheter, then withdrawing the catheter and letting the patient urinate (“retrograde-fill” technique).

Does the retrograde urethrogram hurt?

No, there are no injections involved in the operation. You won’t feel anything when the local anesthetic solution is administered; just discomfort. However, the operation could be stopped if you immediately notify your doctor if you experience any pain. There are no negative effects of the contrast agent utilized during this technique. Rarely, you might respond to the local anesthetic itself or the contrast. This may, very infrequently, pose a hazard to life.

A retrograde cystogram is what?

A thorough x-ray of the bladder is called a retrograde cystography. Through the urethra, contrast dye is injected into the bladder. The tube that transfers urine from the bladder to the outside of the body is called the urethra.

The terms ascending and descending urethrogram are defined.

(A) The ascending pericatheter urethrogram seems to be in order. (b) A significant extraperitoneal leak (arrow) is visible around the bladder neck and posterior urethra on a descending pericatheter urethrogram. To enable voiding for the descending investigation, the catheter was inserted farther into the bladder while the balloon was still inflated.

What does the radiographic term “retrograde” mean?

An imaging procedure called retrograde cystography makes use of X-rays to view the bladder. The bladder is X-rayed after being filled with a contrast dye. The dye makes it easier for the radiologist to see your bladder and the tissues around it. Another imaging technique, computerized tomography (CT), can also be used for retrograde cystography.

During retrograde cystography, the bladder is given a dye injection. Both before and after the dye has been emptied, X-rays of the bladder are taken. Retrograde cystography may reveal bladder rupture in addition to malignancies, blood clots, or pouches in the bladder wall (diverticula).

What does the urology term “retrograde” mean?

An imaging examination called a retrograde pyelogram employs X-rays to examine your bladder, ureters, and kidneys. The lengthy tubes that link your kidneys and bladder are called ureters. The cystoscopy procedure typically includes this test. It makes use of an endoscope, which is a lit, long tube. The doctor performing the cystoscopy has the option of directly injecting contrast dye into the ureters. On an X-ray, the contrast makes certain bodily components appear more distinct. Anesthesia is used during the examination.