Please bring your Health Card to your appointment.

The cystogram is an x-ray examination of the bladder. This examination is most commonly requested on children. Arrangements will be made for your child to be admitted to the Paediatric Outpatient Unit for the catheter to be put in place. Adults will have the catheter inserted in the X-Ray Department.

There are two ways this test is done:

Non-Catheter/Voiding:

Follows an Intravenous Pyelography (IVP) examination. Once the bladder is filled the patient is taken to another room and pictures of the bladder are taken as the patient empties their bladder (voids) on the x-ray table.

Catheter/Voiding or Non-Voiding:

A catheter is inserted into the urethra (opening of bladder). The bladder is filled, the catheter is then removed, and you are asked to void or empty your bladder while x-rays are being taken.

Preparation

• The examination will be explained by the technologist.
• You will be asked to sign a consent form.
• Tell your doctor or technologist of any allergies, hay fever or asthma.
• You may eat a normal supper the evening prior to the test.
• You are not to eat or drink after 10 p.m. the evening before the test.
• Do not wear jewelry to your appointment.
• Children may not be left unattended in the Waiting Room.

Procedure

• You will be asked to wear a hospital gown and remove all clothing from the waist down.
• Your pubic area will be cleansed with a special solution.
• You will be asked to lie on your back on an x-ray table.
• A numbing jelly is put into the urethra before the catheter is inserted.
• A catheter is inserted and secured in place.
• The catheter is connected to a bottle which fills the bladder with contrast solution, while the radiologist watches on the television camera. When the bladder is full, and you feel the urge to void, the catheter is removed. You then void (or pass water) on to a padded area on the x-ray table (special pad is placed under you to absorb the liquid).
• If you are having a Non-Voiding Cystogram, the bladder is filled in the same manner, x-rays are taken, and the catheter may or may not be removed.

After the Test

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Notify your physician or seek medical help right away if you have bright red urinary bleeding or find it difficult to urinate. It is common to urinate frequently, have slight discomfort, void pink to light red urine. This should not continue for a long time.
• Contact your physician or go to the emergency department if you have chills, fever, rapid heart rate, back pain or dizziness.
• Your doctor may request the catheter be left in for a period of time.