In
radiology
Radiology ( ) is the medical discipline that uses medical imaging to diagnose diseases and guide their treatment, within the bodies of humans and other animals. It began with radiography (which is why its name has a root referring to radiat ...
and
urology
Urology (from Greek οὖρον ''ouron'' "urine" and '' -logia'' "study of"), also known as genitourinary surgery, is the branch of medicine that focuses on surgical and medical diseases of the urinary-tract system and the reproductive org ...
, a cystography (also known as cystogram) is a procedure used to visualise the
urinary bladder
The urinary bladder, or simply bladder, is a hollow organ in humans and other vertebrates that stores urine from the kidneys before disposal by urination. In humans the bladder is a distensible organ that sits on the pelvic floor. Urine ente ...
.
Using a urinary catheter, radiocontrast is instilled in the bladder, and X-ray imaging is performed. Cystography can be used to evaluate bladder cancer,
vesicoureteral reflux, bladder polyps, and
hydronephrosis
Hydronephrosis describes hydrostatic dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces as a result of obstruction to urine flow downstream. Alternatively, hydroureter describes the dilation of the ureter, and hydronephroureter describes the dilation of t ...
. It requires less radiation than pelvic
CT, although it is less sensitive and specific than
MRI or CT. In adult cases, the patient is typically instructed to
void three times, after which a post voiding image is obtained to see how much urine is left within the bladder (residual urine), which is useful to evaluate bladder contraction dysfunction. A final radiograph of the kidneys after the procedure is finished is performed to evaluate for occult vesicoureteral reflux that was not seen during the procedure itself.
CT cystography
CT cystography is performed by filling up the
urinary bladder
The urinary bladder, or simply bladder, is a hollow organ in humans and other vertebrates that stores urine from the kidneys before disposal by urination. In humans the bladder is a distensible organ that sits on the pelvic floor. Urine ente ...
using diluted
iodinated contrast
Iodinated contrast is a form of intravenous radiocontrast agent containing iodine, which enhances the visibility of vascular structures and organs during radiographic procedures. Some pathologies, such as cancer, have particularly improved visib ...
to visualise any bladder injury if the subject has
haematuria (blood in urine) post trauma. Since CT cystography can be done together with
CT abdomen and pelvis, it has supplanted conventional cystography in such cases.
See also
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Cholecystography
Oral cholecystography is a radiological procedure used to visualize the gallbladder and biliary channels, developed in 1924 by American surgeons Evarts Ambrose Graham
Evarts Ambrose Graham (1883–1957) was an American academic, physician, and ...
*
Cystoscopy
*
Voiding cystourethrogram
In urology, voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) is a frequently performed technique for visualizing a person's urethra and urinary bladder while the person urinates (voids). It is used in the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux (kidney reflux), am ...
References
Urologic imaging
Projectional radiography
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