What is a cystoscopy?
A cystoscopy is an examination of the inside of the bladder and urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. In men, the urethra is the tube that runs through the penis. The doctor performing the examination uses a cystoscope — a long, thin instrument with an eyepiece on the external end and a tiny lens and a light on the end that is inserted into the bladder. The doctor inserts the cystoscope into the patient’s urethra, and the small lens magnifies the inner lining of the urethra and bladder, allowing the doctor to see inside the hollow bladder. Many cystoscopes have extra channels within the sheath to insert other small instruments that can be used to treat or diagnose urinary problems.
A doctor may perform a cystoscopy to find the cause of many urinary conditions, including:
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Blood in the urine, which is called hematuria
- A frequent and urgent need to urinate
- Unusual cells found in a urine sample
- Painful urination, chronic pelvic pain, or interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome
- Urinary blockage caused by prostate enlargement or some other abnormal narrowing of the urinary tract
- A stone in the urinary tract, such as a kidney stone
- An unusual growth, polyp, tumor, or cancer in the urinary tract
What are the preparations for a cystoscopy or ureteroscopy?
People scheduled for a cystoscopy or ureteroscopy should ask their doctor about any special instructions. In most cases, for cystoscopy, people will be able to eat normally in the hours before the test. For ureteroscopy, people may be told not to eat before the test.
Because any medical procedure has a small risk of injury, patients must sign a consent form before the test. They should not hesitate to ask their doctor about any concerns they might have. Patients may be asked to give a urine sample before the test to check for infection. They should avoid urinating for an hour before this part of the test. Usually, patients lie on their back with knees raised and apart. A nurse or technician cleans the area around the urethral opening and applies a local anesthetic so the patient will not experience any discomfort during the test. People having a ureteroscopy may receive a spinal or general anesthetic. They should arrange for a ride home after the test.
How is a cystoscopy performed?
After a local anesthetic is used to take away sensation in the urethra, the doctor gently inserts the tip of the cystoscope into the urethra and slowly glides it up into the bladder. A sterile liquid-water or salt water, called saline-flows through the scope to slowly fill the bladder and stretch it so the doctor has a better view of the bladder wall.
As the bladder is filled with liquid, patients feel some discomfort and the urge to urinate. The doctor may then release some of the fluid, or the patient may empty the bladder as soon as the examination is over.
The time from insertion of the scope to removal may be only a few minutes, or it may be longer if the doctor finds a stone and decides to treat it. Taking a biopsy or small sample of tissue for examination under a microscope will also make the procedure last longer. In most cases, the entire examination, including preparation, takes 15 to 30 minutes.
What happens after a cystoscopy or ureteroscopy?
Patients may have a mild burning feeling when they urinate, and they may see small amounts of blood in their urine. These problems should not last more than 24 hours. Patients should tell their doctor if bleeding or pain is severe or if problems last more than a day.
To relieve discomfort, patients should drink two 8-ounce glasses of water each hour for 2 hours after the procedure. They may ask their doctor if they can take a warm bath to relieve the burning feeling. If not, they may be able to hold a warm, damp washcloth over the urethral opening.
