Cystoscopy

Cystoscopy Surgery in Chembur, Mumbai

Cystoscopy, also referred to as cystourethroscopy, is a minimally invasive test. It lets urologists get images and check the condition of your bladder (a sac that holds urine) and urethra (a tube through which urine reaches your bladder). 

What do we need to know about cystoscopy?

The test detects the presence of strictures (narrowed sections), polyps, abnormal growths and other issues. 

Doctors use a cystoscope, a thin and hollow tube with a light and camera attached to it. For men, the opening via which doctors insert the scope is at the tip of the penis.

To know more, you can consult a urology doctor near you or you can visit a urology hospital near you.

What are the types of cystoscopy?

There are two types:

• Flexible cystoscopy: A thin and bendable tube, which doctors use only to view the inside of your bladder.
• Rigid cystoscopy: This is comparatively wider, and doctors choose it to treat problems in your bladder.

What are the symptoms that lead to cystoscopy?

You qualify for this test if you show the following symptoms:

• Blood in your urine (hematuria)
• A hyperactive bladder
• Recurring urinary tract infections
• Pain while urinating 
• Pain in the pelvic area
• Several crystals and elevated level of proteins in your urine

Why is cystoscopy performed?

Cystoscopy is helpful to:

• Investigate causes of specific symptoms: These symptoms can include overactive bladder, urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control), blood in the urine and painful urination. 
• Track urinary tract infection: Cystoscopy can also help to determine the reason why you suffer from frequent urinary tract infections. At the same time, doctors do not recommend going through a cystoscopy while you have a urinary tract infection.
• Identify an enlarged prostate: With the help of this procedure, your doctor can find a narrowing urethra, where it passes via the prostate gland. It is an indication of benign prostatic hyperplasia or an enlarged prostate. 
• Diagnose bladder conditions: This procedure can help in detecting bladder diseases such as bladder stones, bladder cancer and bladder inflammation (cystitis).
• Treat bladder conditions: Your doctor passes special instruments through the cystoscope to treat some bladder conditions. For example, if there are small tumors present in your bladder, they can be eliminated using cystoscopy.
• Detect kidney problems: Doctors inject a specific dye to determine kidney problems on an X-ray.

When do you need to see a doctor?

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult a doctor.

You can request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Chembur, Mumbai.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

How is cystoscopy performed?

The entire procedure takes about 15-30 minutes. The types of anesthesia include:

• Local anesthesia: You are awake, can eat regular food during the day.
• Regional anesthesia: In this case, you get an injection in the back, which makes you numb below the waist. 
• General anesthesia: You are not awake during the whole procedure.      

Someone should accompany you to take you home later. 

Cystoscope includes the following steps:

1. After you empty your bladder, the doctor asks you to lie down on the examination table, with your feet placed on the stirrups and knees bent.
2. Next, you receive a sedative intravenously.
3. Your doctor applies numbing jelly to your urethra, so you do not feel anything when the doctor inserts the cystoscope. Larger scopes might be required if your doctor wants to collect tissue samples. 
4. The lens at the end of the cystoscope magnifies the inner sections of your bladder and urethra, which helps in better evaluation. If your doctor wants to project the images on a monitor then, he or she might put an additional video camera on top of the lens. 
5. The doctor fills your bladder with a sterile solution, which stretches your bladder. Thus, your entire bladder wall is visible. You may feel a strong urge to urinate since your bladder is full.
6. The last step is the collection of tissue samples for laboratory testing. Your doctor might also perform other procedures during cystoscopy to treat certain conditions. 

What are the benefits of cystoscopy?

A cystoscopy is tremendously beneficial in detecting conditions like a tumor, blockages, abnormal growths, bladder cancer and kidney problems. If not identified at the right time, they can lead to more trouble for your health. 

Further, it is a minimally invasive procedure, so there is minimal pain and blood loss, and you are back on your feet quickly. 

Are there any complications?

These may include:

• Bleeding: You may notice some blood or blood clots in your urine. Heavy bleeding hardly occurs.
• Infection: Sometimes, there can be bacterial growth in your urinary tract post cystoscopy. Also, you may develop a urinary tract infection. However, this depends on your age and if you have any abnormalities in the urinary tract.
• Pain: You might feel abdominal pain and a burning sensation while urinating. These are generally mild, and you feel better in a few days. 

Mostly, these are mild complications and go away in 2-3 days. But if they do not subside, call your physician.

How do you identify a serious complication?

Call your physician if any of the following issues arise:

• Severe pain in your abdominal area
• Nausea
• Chills
• Heavy blood clots in urine
• Unable to urinate
• Pain and burning sensation during urinating that does not get better after 2-3 days
• Fever that is higher than 38.5 C (101.4 F) 

Conclusion

Cystoscopy plays a significant role in diagnosing, treating, and monitoring diseases affecting the urethra and the bladder. These diseases can trigger extreme pain and discomfort. Once diagnosed, you can find appropriate treatments for these medical conditions on time.