Cystourethrogram

A cystourethrogram is an Reference X-ray Opens New Window test that takes pictures of your Reference bladder Opens New Window and Reference urethra Opens New Window while your bladder is full and while you are urinating. A thin flexible tube (Reference urinary catheter Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window) is inserted through your urethra into your bladder. A liquid material that shows up well on an X-ray picture (Reference contrast material Opens New Window) is injected into your bladder through the catheter, then X-rays are taken with the contrast material in your bladder. More X-rays may be taken while urine flows out of your bladder, in which case the test is called a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG).

If X-rays are taken while contrast material is being injected into the urethra, the test is called a retrograde cystourethrogram because the contrast material flows into the bladder opposite the usual direction of urine flow.

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