Cystoscopy: Frequently Asked Questions

Cystoscopy : the name for a procedure allowing a doctor to look into the bladder with a special telescope called a cystoscope.

An Endoscopic examination of the urethra and bladder using a small telescope inserted through the urethra. This test is typically performed as an office procedure. No prep is necessary.

Cystoscopy is an internal examination of the bladder and the prostate, done with a cystoscope, a small metal tube that is inserted through the penis opening. The instrument allows the doctor to view what's happening inside. A tube attached to the cystoscope fills the bladder with liquid. As the bladder fills, the doctor can see what's causing the obstruction. Cystoscopy can be done in the doctor's office or in the hospital. If you can relax, you will minimize the discomfort. In some cases, anesthesia will be given. ...

The cystoscopy can be performed using a rigid instrument under general anaesthetic. This is painless at the time of the procedure, but has similar side-effects afterwards. A greater range of procedures can be performed through a rigid cystoscope compared to a flexible cystoscope. Sometimes, it maybe necessary to perform a rigid cystoscopy after a flexible cystoscopy. ...

A flexible cystoscopy is usually done as an outpatient whilst you are awake. Although the test may take less than 5 minutes to perform, you should allow at least one to two hours in hospital for this procedure. Do not plan important events afterwards as you may have bothersome urinary symptoms after. It is better if someone can take you home afterwards.

To help with diagnosis A cystoscopy may be done to help to find the cause of symptoms such as: • Difficulty in passing urine (which may be due to prostate enlargement or a stricture (narrowing) of the urethra). • Frequent urinary tract infections. • Blood in the urine (haematuria). • Incontinence. • Unusual cells found in a urine sample. • Persistent pain when you pass urine. Cystoscopy may also be done to monitor progress of conditions. ...

The urine sample should be collected from voided urine and must not come from first morning urine.

The UroVysion Kit provides you with "a second set of eyes" that makes your cystoscopic examination more effective. UroVysion helps you to identify the presence of the following: in situ tumors that lie flat against the bladder wall. Transitional Cell Carcinomas (TCCs).

A normal intravenous urogram will exclude most significant abnormality in the upper urinary tract. However the bladder is often not visualised very well. Therefore in these patients, cystoscopy would be necessary despite the absence of any abnormality on IVU, to exclude bladder cancer or other causes, as the cause of hematuria.

Cystoscopy involves placing a small scope through the urethra (tube through which you urinate) and into the urinary bladder. This is typically done in the office with the use of a numbing jelly. Most people tolerate this very well and describe the sensation as similar to having a catheter placed. If you prefer to have this done under anesthesia please inform your doctor and he will accommodate you.

No. We do not routinely require that somebody accompany patients who are to undergo cystoscopy in the office. The only situation that would require someone else to drive a patient home would be the use of a sedative or narcotic pain medicine. These are not routinely given for cystoscopy.