Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that allows a doctor to examine the lining of the bladder and the urethra using a thin, lighted instrument called a cystoscope.
overview
Cystoscopy is a medical procedure that allows doctors to closely examine the inside of the bladder and urethra. This is done using a special thin, tube-like instrument called a cystoscope, which has a light and a camera at its tip. The procedure is typically performed by a urologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract.
Cystoscopy is commonly used to help diagnose urinary problems, investigate symptoms such as blood in the urine or frequent urinary tract infections, and to monitor or treat conditions affecting the bladder.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
There are two main types of cystoscopy: flexible and rigid. A flexible cystoscopy uses a bendable tube and is usually done under local anesthesia, meaning only the urethra is numbed. It is often performed in an outpatient setting and is typically used for diagnostic purposes. A rigid cystoscopy, on the other hand, uses a straight, firm tube and is generally done under general or spinal anesthesia.
Cystoscopy may be recommended for:
- Investigating causes of blood in urine (hematuria)
- Diagnosing recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Evaluating frequent or painful urination
- Detecting bladder stones, tumors, or polyps
- Monitoring bladder cancer
- Assessing urinary incontinence or blockages