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.
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The retrograde pyelogram procedure.
To help urine through a blockage that won’t clear or via a narrowed part of the ureter, a ureteral stent can be implanted. This could stop an infection (sepsis). A tiny tube (catheter) is inserted into the entrance of the ureter to perform a retrograde pyelogram by injecting dye through it (tube draining kidney into bladder). This can be used to show the architecture of the ureter and kidney and help with stent placement.
Does a retrograde pyelogram hurt?
A retrograde pyelogram is a short, comparatively painless treatment that aids in finding urinary tract problems. Additionally, it can aid your doctor in performing safe surgery or other urological operations.
There are dangers associated with any anesthesia-related surgery. Before having this surgery done, discuss your overall health and medical history with your doctor to prevent any long-term consequences.
What does the radiology 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).
How long does a retrograde pyelogram take to complete?
Through the catheter, a dye is delivered into the ureters. The kidneys and ureters are then imaged with X-rays. The examination may last 15 to 30 minutes.
Why perform a cystoscopy by a urologist?
A cystoscopy may be used by your doctor to see what’s going on inside your bladder and urethra. Urine is held in the bladder until it is released through the urethra, a tube in the body.
A cystoscopy is carried out by a urologist, or expert in the urinary tract. Your doctor utilizes a cystoscope, a pencil-sized, lit tube with a camera or viewing lens, to do the procedure. Specialists can identify and occasionally treat urinary tract issues via a cystoscopy.
Who might need a cystoscopy?
If you experience: your healthcare professional could advise a cystoscopy.
- Urinary control problems, such as urinary retention (not being able to completely empty the bladder) or incontinence (not being able to control urine flow).
- urethral blood (hematuria).
- Urinary tract infections frequently (UTIs).
- unpleasant urination (dysuria).
Why do healthcare providers perform cystoscopies?
Urologists use cystoscopies to identify and treat issues in the urinary tract. An endoscopy can identify:
- urethral cancer or bladder cancer.
- bladder management issues.
- prostate growth (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
- urinary fistulas and urethral strictures.
A cystoscope may also be utilized by your doctor for the following purposes:
- Obtain ureteral sample urine (the ducts that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder).
- For an X-ray procedure that monitors urine flow, inject dye.
- To stop urine leakage, inject a medicine.
- An previous treatment involved the placement of a ureteral stent, a small tube that keeps the ureter open.
- Remove any polyps, tumors, abnormal tissue, or bladder stones.
- Take a biopsy using a few tiny pieces of bladder or urethral tissue (examine in a lab).
- Treat urethral fistulas or strictures (narrowing) (holes that form between two areas).
What are the types of cystoscopies?
The cystoscope comes in two varieties. The one that works best for your particular treatment will be chosen by your healthcare professional.
- These cystoscopes are rigidthey don’t bend. The tube may be used by your doctor to insert tools for biopsies or tumor removal.
- Flexible: To check the bladder and urethra from the inside and make a diagnosis, your doctor may use a bendable scope.
What does the surgical term “retrograde” mean?
Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS): Using a fiberoptic endoscope as a viewing device, retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) involves doing surgery inside the kidney.
In RIRS, the scope is inserted into the bladder through the urethra (the urinary opening), and then through the ureter into the kidney’s urine-collecting portion. As a result, the scope is advanced retrogradely (up the urinary system) to a location inside the kidney (intrarenal).
A stone may be removed using RIRS. Through the scope, the stone can be observed and handled, such as by using an ultrasound probe to crush it, a laser probe to evaporate it, a pair of tiny forceps to capture it, etc.
A urologist (endourologist) with specialized training in RIRS performs the procedure. Typically, either general or spinal anaesthetic is used during the surgery.
The benefits of RIRS over open surgery include a faster resolution of the issue, the elimination of protracted postoperative pain, and a significantly quicker recovery.
Preparation
Before your appointment, instructions will be provided to you. This will include suggestions on what to eat, drink, and how to handle any medications you’re taking.
You’ll be asked to take off everything below the waist before the surgery begins and change into a hospital gown.
You might be asked to urinate into a container so that it can be examined for pathogens. If an urinary infection is discovered, the procedure might be postponed.
The procedure
In relation to flexible cystoscopy:
- You recline flat on a unique couch.
- An antiseptic is used to disinfect your genitalia, and a covering is placed over the region.
- Your urethra is covered in local anesthetic gel to numb it and make the cystoscope slide through it more smoothly.
- The cystoscope is slowly lowered toward your bladder after being put into your urethra.
- Your doctor or nurse may pump water into your bladder to improve their ability to see inside of it.
- You might be able to view pictures that the cystoscope’s camera sends to a monitor.
After a few minutes, the cystoscope is usually taken out. Throughout, a nurse will be by your side to explain everything.
Does it hurt?
The majority of the time, a cystoscopy does not hurt, despite common misconceptions to the contrary. If you have any pain during it, let your doctor or a nurse know.
During the process, it can be a little unpleasant and you could feel the desire to urinate, but this will pass quickly.
Afterwards
You might need to use the restroom right away after the cystoscope is taken out in order to clear your bladder before changing back into your clothes.
The outcomes of the cystoscopy might be discussed shortly after by your doctor or nurse. However, it can take 2 or 3 weeks before you receive the results if a little tissue sample was removed for examination (biopsy).
How are pyelograms carried out?
Before any dye is injected, your urinary system is X-rayed. Your IV line is used to inject X-ray dye. As the dye passes through your kidneys, ureters, and bladder, periodic X-ray images are acquired. You might be required to urinate once more at the end of the test.
A retrograde injection is what?
It involves putting a needle down the length of the skin depression (in this case, under the keloid area), depositing the product on a regular basis, and then removing the needle.