The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder and expels it from the body. When the bladder and the urethra have to be inspected in detail, a medical examination known as cystoscopy with ureteroscopy is used.
In some cases, a cystoscopy is combined with an ureteroscopy. Using an instrument known as an ureteroscope, the inside of the urinary tract is examined closely. An ureteroscope is thinner than a cystoscope and can travel deep into the urinary tract up to the narrow ureters that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. An ureteroscope can be fitted with a tiny basket attached to an extra channel. In cases of stones in the ureters, this basket is used to collect the stone removed during the procedure. Another way of using the ureteroscope to remove stones is by inserting a fiber through the instrument that uses lasers to break down the stone into smaller pieces.
A cystoscopy with ureteroscopy may be used to diagnose or treat a number of urinary problems such as:
A cystoscope is a long thin tube with a lens and light on the end that is introduced into the body, and an eyepiece on the other end of the instrument.
During a cystoscopy with ureteroscopy, the doctor will insert the cystoscope into the urethra of the patient. A saline solution is injected into the bladder to inflate the surrounding and improve visibility. With the help of the lens, the internal details of the urethra and bladder are magnified and easily viewed. Depending on the type of urinary problem, the cystoscope may also be inserted with other small instruments that are used to treat the condition. Patients are usually under local anesthesia during the procedure. The entire test along with preparation time can take up to 30 minutes to complete.
As with any medical procedure, there is a small risk attached to a cystoscopy with ureteroscopy. During the examination, the patient may feel some amount of discomfort as the bladder is inflated. Post the examination, there may be a burning sensation during urination or they may be some blood in the urine. These problems usually disappear after 24 hours and should be brought to the doctor's attention if they persist or worsen even after a day. Antibiotics and painkillers may be prescribed to reduce pain and the risk of an infection.
References