A cystoscopy is a medical procedure used to examine the inside of the bladder.
It's carried out using a cystoscope, a thin, fibreoptic tube that has a light and a camera at one end.
The cystoscope is inserted into the urethra and is moved up into the bladder (the urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder, out of the body). The camera relays images to a screen where they can be seen by the urologist (specialist in treating bladder conditions).
There are two types of cystoscope:
- flexible cystoscope – a thin, flexible tube used when the only purpose of a cystoscopy is to look inside your bladder
- rigid cystoscope – a thin, straight metal tube that's used for passing small surgical instruments down through the cystoscope to remove a tissue sample or to carry out treatment
Most cystoscopies are performed as outpatient procedures, so you'll be able to go home on the same day.
Read more about what happens during a cystoscopy
What is a cystoscopy used for?
A cystoscopy can be used to investigate and treat symptoms and conditions that affect the bladder and urinary system. For example, it can be used to:
- check for abnormalities in the bladder
- remove a sample of bladder tissue for further testing (a biopsy) in cases of suspected cancer
- treat certain bladder conditions, such as removing small bladder stones
Read more about why a cystoscopy might be used.
The results of a cystoscopy are usually available to discuss within a few days. However, if a biopsy is necessary it may take several weeks for the results to become available.
Is a cystoscopy painful?
You shouldn't feel any serious pain as a flexible cystoscopy is usually carried out using a local anaesthetic gel or spray to numb the urethra. A rigid cystoscopy is usually done under general anaesthetic (where you are asleep), or a spinal anaesthetic (epidural) that numbs all feeling below your spine.
However, for some people the procedure may feel uncomfortable and you may have mild side effects afterwards, such as muscle pain, nausea and blood in your urine.
You may also feel a burning sensation when passing urine for a few days after the procedure.
Read more about recovering from a cystoscopy.
Complications of a cystoscopy
It's rare to experience serious complications after a cystoscopy, but you should contact your GP or hospital staff if you're having difficulty passing urine for more than eight hours after the procedure. You may have a swollen urethra.
There's also a small risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI) that affects your urethra, bladder or kidneys. You should see your GP if you experience symptoms of infection such as a high temperature (fever) of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above.
Read more about the possible complications of a cystoscopy.
