Voiding cystourethrogram: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P A voiding cystourethrogram is an x-ray study of the bladder and urethra. It is done while the bladder is emptying.

T How the Test is Performed
P The test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in a health care provider's office.
P You will lie on your back on the x-ray table. A thin, flexible tube called a catheter will be inserted into the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body) and passed into the bladder.
P Contrast dye flows through the catheter into the bladder. This dye helps the bladder show up better on x-ray images.
P The x-rays are taken from various angles while the bladder is full of contrast dye. The catheter is removed so that you can urinate. Images are taken while you empty your bladder.

T How to Prepare for the Test
P You must sign a consent form. You will be given a gown to wear.
P Remove all jewelry before the test. Inform the provider if you are:
- Allergic to any medicines
- Allergic to x-ray contrast material
- Pregnant

T How the Test will Feel
P You may feel some discomfort when the catheter is placed and while your bladder is full.

T Why the Test is Performed
P This test may be done to diagnose the cause of urinary tract infections, especially in children who have had more than one urinary tract or bladder infection.
P It is also used to diagnose and evaluate:
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
- Birth defects with the bladder or urethra
- Narrowing of the tube that carries urine out of the bladder (urethral stricture) in males
- Urinary reflux from the bladder up into the kidney

T Normal Results
P The bladder and urethra will be normal in size and function.

T What Abnormal Results Mean
P Abnormal results may indicate the following:
- Bladder does not empty properly because of a brain or nerve problem (neurogenic bladder)
- Large prostate gland
- Narrowing or scarring of the urethra
- Pouch-like sacs (diverticula) on the walls of the bladder or urethra
- Ureterocele
- Urinary reflux nephropathy

T Risks
P You may have some discomfort when urinating after this test because of irritation from the catheter.
P You may have bladder spasms after this test, which may be a sign of an allergic reaction to the contrast dye. Contact your provider if bothersome bladder spasms occur.
P You may see blood in your urine for a couple of days after this test.

T Alternative Names
P Cystourethrogram - voiding

T Images
- Voiding cystourethrogram
- Cystography

T References
P Bishoff JT, Rastinehad AR. Urinary tract imaging: basic principles of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and plain film. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 2.
P Elder JS. Vesicoureteral reflux. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 539.

T Review Date 1/30/2017
P Updated by: Jennifer Sobol, DO, urologist with the Michigan Institute of Urology, West Bloomfield, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

