Cystometry: Unlocking the Secrets of Bladder Function

The cystometry is a diagnostic test widely used in the field of Urology that consists of studying the correct functioning of the urine bladder and the detrusor muscle of the bladder, through the use of a cystometer or device in the form of a tube or probe capable of measuring intravesical pressure.

How is a cystometry performed?

Cystometry is performed on an outpatient basis in the Urology Unit of the medical center or hospital by qualified personnel.

The patient is asked to undress from the waist down and will be given a gown to cover themselves. You will need to empty your bladder in the normal way, while the amount of urine that is passed is recorded. You will then be asked to lie on your back on the examination table. A small catheter will be inserted into the urethra up to the bladder. A small amount of room temperature fluid will be injected into your bladder through the catheter, followed by an equal amount of warm fluid. You will be asked to describe any sensations you feel, such as heat, the need to urinate, discomfort or pain, and nausea. The fluid will be drained through the catheter and the catheter will be connected to the cystometer (tube to measure the pressure inside the bladder). Fluid will be injected back into the bladder through the catheter. You will be asked to say when you feel the first urge to urinate and when you feel you need to urinate immediately. Throughout the time, the pressure inside the bladder will be recorded with the help of the cystometer.

When the bladder is completely full, you will be asked to do some activities like coughing or standing up. Finally you will be asked to empty the bladder while the pressure inside it is recorded and finally the intravesical catheter will be removed.

The study usually lasts 30 minutes.

Preparation for the study

The study does not require prior preparation on the part of the patient, except to avoid taking drugs that may vary the result of the study.

How it feels during and after the study

The study is painless for the patient, although it can be uncomfortable in some cases.

The patient may feel discomfort during catheter placement.

Some sensations elicited by the study may be perceived as bothersome such as a feeling of fullness, an urgent need to evacuate, pelvic or abdominal discomfort, nausea.

Bladder pain may appear due to contracture of the detrusor muscle in some cases that subsides with usual antispasmodics and analgesics.

Study risks

• Irritation of the urethra or bladder with when placing the catheter.
• Urethral bleeding or bloody urination in the hours or days after the study.
• Infection of the urine due to the passage of germs into the bladder through the catheter.
• Urethral fistula when placing the catheter (rare)
• Bladder wall rupture when placing the catheter (exceptional).

The patient should urgently consult his doctor if in the hours following the end of the study he presents fever and / or chills, severe abdominal or pelvic pain or abundant bleeding from the urethra.

Contraindications

The patient should consult with his doctor before carrying out the study in case of:

• Taking medication.
• Severe urethral stricture.

Reasons why the study is carried out

Cystography is a widely known and widely used test in the field of Urology as it provides objective information on the correct functioning of the urine bladder.

Especially useful for the study of patients who present urinary incontinence (involuntary loss of urine) or retention of urine (absence or difficulty in urination).

It allows you to check the effectiveness of different treatments for urine retention and how to decide whether or not a patient would benefit from a certain surgical treatment of the bladder.

MAPFRE, in its medical chart, has the best specialists in urology and a preventive medicine program aimed at taking care of your health.

Alternative names

Urodynamic study. Simple cystometry.