Cystoscopy

A cystoscopy is a medical procedure that is used to examine the inside of the bladder. It is performed using a piece of equipment called a cystoscope.

Cystoscope

A cystoscope is a thin, fiber-optic tube that has a light source and a camera at one end.

The cystoscope is inserted into the urethra and is moved up into the bladder. The urethra is a tube that runs from the penis, or vagina, to the bladder and urine passes through it. The camera at the end of the cystoscope relays images to a screen where they can be viewed.

Uses of cystoscopy

A cystoscopy can be used to:

• check for abnormalities in the bladder, such a kidney stone, or a blockage,
• remove a sample of bladder tissue for further testing (a biopsy) in cases of suspected cancer, and, in a number of cases,
• treat certain bladder conditions, such as removing small bladder stones.

Types of cystoscope

There are two main types of cystoscope:

• flexible cystoscope - a thin, flexible tube that is about the size of a drinking straw, and
• rigid cystoscope - a thin, straight metal tube that is about the size of a pen.

Flexible cystoscopes are used when the only purpose of a cystoscopy is to look inside the bladder.

Rigid cystoscopes are used in situations where it may be necessary to pass small surgical instruments down through the cystoscope in order to remove a tissue sample, or to carry out treatment.

A flexible cystoscopy is usually performed using a local anaesthetic gel, or spray, to numb the urethra.

A rigid cystoscopy is usually performed under a general anaesthetic, or a spinal anaesthetic (epidural) that numbs all feeling below the spine.

Tissue

Body tissue is made up of groups of cells that perform a specific job, such as protecting the body against infection, producing movement or storing fat.

Biopsy

A biopsy is a test that involves taking a small sample of tissue from the body so it can be examined.

Urethra

The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Cystoscopy

A cystoscopy is a procedure to view the inside of the bladder using a thin instrument with a light and a tiny telescope (cystoscope), which is inserted into the urethra.

Bladder

The bladder is a small organ near the pelvis that holds urine until it is ready to be passed from the body.