Investigations
Below are a list of common urological investigations. To find out more information about these tests please scroll through the tests as listed below.
Cystoscopy
This procedure allows the urologist to inspect the bladder and urethra. It is performed with the aid of a telescope, that can be advanced along the water passage.
There are two ways to perform this procedure.
- A rigid cystoscopy: In this situation a solid straight telescope is used. This telescope offers the best visualization of the bladder, and also allows other proedures to be performed in the bladder such as a biopsy, a retrograde pyelogram or the insertion of a ureteric stent. This approach commonly requires the use of a general anaesthetic.
- A flexible cystoscopy: In this situation a flexible telescope is used. This is a fibre optic instrument that can easily bend and pass along the curves of the urethra. This type of examination is commonly used for diagnosis and for the follow up of bladder tumours. It can also be used to remove ureteric stents and perform biopsies. A flexible cystoscopy can be performed using a local anaesthetic jelly, which means that it can be performed in an outpatient setting. It can be performed in conjunction with twilight sedation which can make the procedure more pleasant.
A Cystoscopy may be ordered for the following reasons:
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Blood in your urine (haematuria)
- Loss of bladder control (incontinence) or overactive bladder
- Unusual cells found in urine sample
- Need for a bladder catheter
- Painful urination, chronic pelvic pain, or interstitial cystitis
- Urinary blockage such as prostate enlargement, stricture, or narrowing of the urinary tract
- A stone in the urinary tract
- Unusual growth, polyp, tumor, or cancer
- Insertion or removal of a ureteric stent
- A retrograde pyelogram