Cystography

As Cystography is defined as the X-ray imaging of the urinary bladder where the in native, X-ray image can not be seen by means of the bubble contrast agent filling is made visible. In this way, the position, shape and size of the urinary bladder can be assessed, as can wall changes or foreign bodies .

The contrast agent can either be applied through the urethra (retrograde cystography) or it is administered intravenously (iv urography ).

application areas

Pathological changes in the urinary bladder for which cystography can be used are, for example, tumors that often grow exophytically and appear as recesses in the contrast medium shadow, diverticula , concretions (“stones”), fistulas or intravesical ureteroceles . Functional disorders such as voiding disorders or vesico-ureteral reflux can also be diagnosed in this way.

Retrograde cystography

The contrast medium is applied to the urinary bladder with the aid of a catheter . As a rule, water-soluble, iodine-containing contrast media are used, which are diluted and given in a volume sufficient to fill the bladder firmly. X-rays are then often taken both while standing and lying down. Subsequently, if the question arises, the excretion of the contrast agent can be shown naturally by means of additional images, which is called a micturition cystourethrography.

Intravenous urography

This variant is also known as excretory urography. Contrast media (usually also containing iodine) are administered intravenously and excreted via the kidneys, which is then recorded in a series of X-rays. This means that the kidneys and ureters can also be assessed.

Alternatives

Depending on the question, a sonography of the bladder or a urethrocystoscopy can also be considered.

literature

• Richard Fotter (Ed.): Pediatric Uroradiology , 2nd edition, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg 2008, ISBN 978-3-540-33004-2 , 537 pages.