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Cystoscopy

Cystoscopy Introduction

Cystoscopy is the use of a scope (cystoscope) to examine the bladder. This is done either to look at the bladder for abnormalities or to help with surgery being performed on the inside of the urinary tract (transurethral surgery).

  • Areas that can be examined include the following:

    • Urethra or urinary channel, which includes the prostate in men

    • Bladder, which collects and stores urine

    • The 2 ureters, which are small internal tubes that conduct the urine made by each kidney into the bladder

  • A urologic surgeon, or urologist, performs cystoscopy. The procedure involves looking at the urinary tract from the inside. Abnormalities can be detected in this manner, and surgical procedures can be performed.

  • You would commonly have cystoscopy for the evaluation of blood in the urine. There are many other indications for the procedure, including the evaluation and treatment of kidney stones, bladder or ureteral tumors, prostate surgery, and urethral strictures (narrowings).

  • Simple procedures can be performed in the doctor's office with only a local anesthetic. Most procedures, however, are performed in a hospital operating room as an outpatient. A variety of different anesthetics can be used to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.



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Cystoscopy

Blood in the Urine Overview

Blood in the urine is a common problem. The medical term for red blood cells in the urine is hematuria. Sometimes blood in the urine is a sign of a serious problem in the urinary tract, while other times it is not serious and requires no treatment. Only after a thorough evaluation by a health-care provider should blood in the urine be attributed to a non-serious cause.

The urinary tract consists of the following structures:

  • Kidneys: You have two kidneys, located closer to your back than your front at about waist level. The kidneys filter the blood in your body and produce urine.


  • Ureters: These narrow, hollow tubes carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.


  • Bladder: The bladder is a balloon-like organ that holds urine until it is convenient for you to empty your bladder (urinate).


  • Urethra: This narrow, hollow t...

Read the Blood in the Urine article »



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