Cystoscopy

The examination of the urethra and bladder using a cystoscope inserted up the urethra. A cystoscope is a rigid metal or flexible fibre-optic viewing instrument, sometimes with a camera at the tip (see endoscopy). Cystoscopy is used to inspect the bladder for calculi, bladder tumours, and sites of bleeding and infection, and to obtain urine samples from the ureters to look for infection or tumour cells. Radiopaque dye may be injected into the ureters via the cystoscope during the X-ray procedure of retrograde pyelography (see urography). Treatment, including removal of bladder tumours or calculi and insertion of stents (narrow tubes) into a ureter to relieve an obstruction, can all be performed via the cystoscope.