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 Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), also known as vesicoureteric reflux, is a condition in which urine flows retrograde, or backward, from the bladder into one or both ureters and then to the renal calyx or kidneys. Urine normally travels in one directio ...

, 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 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body. MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves ...

or CT. In adult cases, the patient is typically instructed to

void Void may refer to: Science, engineering, and technology * Void (astronomy), the spaces between galaxy filaments that contain no galaxies * Void (composites), a pore that remains unoccupied in a composite material * Void, synonym for vacuum, a ...

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

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 Hematuria or haematuria is defined as the presence of blood or red blood cells in the urine. “Gross hematuria” occurs when urine appears red, brown, or tea-colored due to the presence of blood. Hematuria may also be subtle and only detectable w ...

(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.

References

Urologic imaging Projectional radiography {{med-diagnostic-stub

CT cystography

See also

References