How is a retrograde urethrogram performed?

You will lie on your back or side, and an x-ray of the urethra and bladder are taken. X-ray contrast agent (dye) is gently moved into your urethra. This may not be comfortable, but it doesn’t take long. More x-rays are taken with the dye to see your urethra more clearly.

What is a retrograde urethrogram used for?

A retrograde urethrogram is a procedure allowing the urethra to be x-rayed using a contrast dye. The dye is watched on the x-rays as it passes back through the urethra and into the bladder. Urethrograms are done by a radiologist with a radiographer and sometimes a nurse.

Which oblique is the position of choice for imaging during a retrograde urethrogram for a male?

Patient positioning during retrograde urethrogram is critical. The patient should be in an oblique position (35-45 degrees) to maximize visualization of the bulbar urethra.

Where is the female urethra located?

The female urethra is embedded within the vaginal wall, and its opening is situated between the labia. The female urethra is much shorter than that of the male, being only 4 cm (1.5 inches) long. It begins at the bladder neck and opens to the outside just after passing through the urethral sphincter.

What contrast is used for retrograde urethrogram?

The catheter-tipped syringe is then filled with approximately 50 mL of radiopaque contrast, and 20-30 mL of contrast is injected in a retrograde fashion. Taking a preinjection “scout” film of the urethra to compare the RUG images is important.

What does retrograde mean in urology?

What is a retrograde pyelogram? A retrograde pyelogram is an imaging test that uses X-rays to look at your bladder, ureters, and kidneys. The ureters are the long tubes that connect your kidneys to your bladder.

What is anterior and posterior urethra?

The male urethra can be divided into anterior and posterior portions. The anterior urethra is composed of the penile and bulbar urethra to the level of the urogenital diaphragm. The posterior urethra is composed of the membranous and prostatic urethra.

What is anterior Urethrography?

Antegrade urethrogram is an accurate method to visualize the proximal bulbous urethral segment in patients who are already on a suprapubic catheter. It is done just before the planned urethroplasty under anesthesia.

How do you insert a catheter into a female?

Grasp the sterile catheter 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) from the tip and keep it from touching anything. Ask the patient to take a deep breath and slowly exhale while you insert the catheter tip. Advance it 2 to 3 inches until urine flow starts. Advance it another 1 to 2 inches to make sure it’s in the bladder.

What is a woman’s private part called?

The vulva is the part of your genitals on the outside of your body — your labia, clitoris, vaginal opening, and the opening to the urethra (the hole you pee out of). While vaginas are just one part of the vulva, many people say “vagina” when they really mean the vulva.

How do you fill a bladder in retrograde?

We assess bladder emptying by filling the bladder retrograde through the catheter already in place with 300 mL of saline and then removing the catheter and allowing the patient to void (“retrograde-fill” technique).

What is a retrograde urethrogram used to diagnose?

Urethrogram showing an urethra stricture in a man. A retrograde urethrography is a routine radiologic procedure (most typically in males) used to image the integrity of the urethra . Hence a retrograde urethrogram is essential for diagnosis of urethral injury, or urethral stricture.

What are the contraindications for retrograde urethrogram?

There is no absolute contraindication for retrograde urethrogram. There are several relative contraindications such as: allergy to contrast agents, acute urinary tract infection, and recent instrumentation of urethra. The procedure involves the insertion of a Foley catheter into the distal urethra and minimally inflating it.

What are the side effects of a urethrogram?

While a urethrogram is generally safe, some people react to the dye. The dye mostly stays outside the body (inside the urethra), so reactions are not common. Minor reactions could be hot flashes, upset stomach or vomiting. These are often treated with antihistamines. Rarely, problems like a UTI (urinary tract infection) can occur.

What is a voiding urethrogram and how is it performed?

The voiding urethrogram evaluates the posterior urethra. The Foley balloon is advanced into the bladder and contrast is instilled until the bladder is dilated. The bladder should be so dilated, that the patient “feels like he absolutely needs to pull off to the side of the road so he can urinate”.