A cystography can help diagnose such bladder problems as:

• Blood clots

• Kidney stones

• Recurrent urinary tract infections

• Trauma-related injuries

• Tumors

• Uncontrollable urine leakage (incontinence)

• Wounds or bursting (rupture) of your bladder wall

• If instructed, empty your bowel before the exam using a medicine (laxative) or a liquid injected into your rectum (enema).

• Empty your bladder before the exam.

Tell your healthcare provider if you:

• Have any allergies to X-ray dye

• Have a bladder infection

• Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant

• Have any history of bladder-related medical conditions

Follow any other instructions you are given to prepare for your procedure.

• You will change into a hospital gown and lie on an exam table. Your urethra will be numbed with an anesthetic jelly. You may also be given medicine to help you relax.

• A thin tube (catheter) will be put into your urethra up to your bladder. You will feel pressure. The dye will be slowly put through the catheter into your bladder. As your bladder fills with this liquid, you will feel the need to urinate. Tell the radiologist when this becomes uncomfortable.

• X-rays are taken of your full bladder. The catheter is removed, your bladder is then drained, and more X-rays are taken.

• Infection or bruising at the place where the tube is put into your urethra

• Problems due to the dye, including an allergic reaction or kidney damage

• Radiation exposure to your reproductive organs

• You may feel some burning when you urinate the first few times after the procedure. Drink plenty of water after the exam to help flush the dye out of your body. 

• The radiologist will analyze the results and provide a report to your primary healthcare provider (the person who referred you for the test). Your primary healthcare provider will discuss your test results with you. He or she will recommend more testing or treatment as needed.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you:

• Have blood in your urine, after you have gone to the bathroom three times 

• Have signs of infection, such as chills, fever, rapid heartbeat, or fast breathing      

• Are not able to empty your bladder