What Is a Voiding Cystourethrogram - Pedsurgerydelhi

1. What Is a Voiding Cystourethrogram? - pedsurgerydelhi • What Is a VoidingCystourethrogram? • A voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), also known as icturating cystourethrogram (MCU)is a radiological investigation for examination of urinary tract system. The study is used to visualize the urethra, urinary bladder and about the possibility of vesico ureteric reflux (VUR). • When to do voiding cystourethrogram? • Recurrent urinary tractinfections. • Urinary tract infection in an infant. • Suspected bladder outletobstruction. • Hydrouretronephrosis onultrasound. • BilateralHydronephrosis. • The study is conducted under antibiotic cover and in fluoroscopicmachine. • Technique • With all ascepic precautions, bladder is catheterized with a small lumen tube and filled with a liquid called as contrast (as per the normal bladdercapacity). • The sequential video images are taken during filling and voidingphase. • The images are visualized on the monitor and the and any structural abnormalityies findings arenoted. • The whole procedure takes around 15 to 20 minutes. • Findings • VCUG gives an idea about any abnormality related to bladder size and shape (neurogenic bladder, bladder diverticula, bladder mass etc.). It also identifies urethral problems, such as a blockage along the path of the urine (posterior urethral valve, urethral stricture etc.). VCUG helps in making a diagnosis of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) in which the urinegoes

2. back(reflux) towards kidney. VCUG is the only confirmatory imaging for the diagnosis of vesicouretericreflux. What are the risks of voidingcystourethrogram? There is a mild risk of urinary tract infections so it should always be done under antibiotic cover and also after treating any preexisting urinary tractinfections. There is some risk due to exposure to radiation, however the amount of radiation used in a VCUG is small and is not considered dangerous.