Cystometry

Question 1

What is cystometry?

Answer 1

Cystometry measures how much urine the bladder can hold and the pressure inside the bladder. This is used to diagnose problems in the bladder and urethra such as incontinence and overactive bladder and kidney stones which made their/its way to the bladder.

To do this, a cystoscopy is carried out. A cystoscopy is a procedure to look inside the bladder using a thin camera called a cystoscope, which is passed into the urethra.

Question 2

What conditions may cause problems in the bladder or urethra?

Answer 2

• Neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Improper function of the bladder due to a problem in the nervous system, such as a spinal cord tumor or injury.
• Diabetes. A health problem that happens when the body is not able to use sugar for growth and energy for daily activities. It can lead to nerve damage in the bladder

Question 3

What does cystometry measure?

Answer 3

Measures how well the bladder functions such as how much urine the bladder can hold and the pressure inside the bladder

Question 4

When might a patient choose to get cystometry?

Answer 4

If they experience symptoms like:
- Blood in pee
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Bladder/kidney stones (could be used to detect the kidney stones using thin camera (cystoscope), or could be used to break the kidney stone into smaller ones by attaching small surgical instruments to the cystoscope, making it easier to pass the kidney stones along with urine, preventing the need for surgery).

Question 5

How is a cystometry carried out?

Answer 5

• you’re given an injection of general anaesthetic into your hand, or a spinal anaesthetic into your lower back
• you will be lying on a special couch with your legs in supports
• your genitals are cleaned with an antiseptic and a sheet is placed over the surrounding area
• the cystoscope is inserted into your urethra and gently moved along towards your bladder
• water may be pumped into your bladder so your doctor or nurse can see inside it more clearly
• Small surgical instruments can also be passed down the cystoscope to treat certain bladder problems at the same time (SUCH AS A KIDNEY STONE, SUCH AS BREAKING IT INTO SMALLER STONES SO IT CAN PASS MORE EASILY ALONG WITH URINE, PREVENTING THE NEED FOR SURGERY).
• The procedure can last up to 30 minutes.

Question 6

What are the limitations/risks of cystometry?

Answer 6

• Usually a very safe procedure
• Although you could get a urinary tract infection (UTI) which can be treated with antibiotics
• Being unable to pee after going home – which may mean a thin tube called a catherter needs to be temporarily inserted into your bladder so you can empty it.
• There’s also a risk your bladder could be damaged by the cystoscope, but this is rare.
• Autonomic reflex (causing severe headache, increased blood pressure, lower heart rate, sweating and flushing) in people who have a spinal cord injury or a spinal cord tumor