Cystoscopy is a test that allows your doctor to look at the inside of your

bladder and urethra. It's done using a thin, lighted tube called a cystoscope
The doctor inserts this tube into your urethra and on into the bladder. Your
doctor can see areas of your bladder and urethra that usually don't show up
well on X-rays.
Your doctor can also insert tiny surgical tools through the tube to take
samples of tissue (biopsy) or samples of urine.
Small bladder stones and some small growths can also be taken out this way.

Cystoscopy may be done to:

Find the cause of many urinary system problems. Examples include blood in
the urine, pain when you urinate, incontinence, frequent urinary tract
infections, and blockages in the urinary tract.
Remove tissue samples for testing (biopsy).
Remove a foreign object.
Insert a stent. This helps urine flow from the kidneys to the bladder.
Treat certain problems. The test can be used to remove stones or growths,
help stop bleeding in the bladder, or remove a blockage.
Inject a dye that is used for a special type of X-ray of the ureter and kidney.
For this test, you will have one of three kinds of anesthesia.

Local anesthetic. This anesthetic is inserted in your urethra.

General anesthetic. You are put to sleep either with medicine through an
IV or with gases inhaled through a mask. Sometimes both methods are
used.

Spinal anesthetic. The doctor or nurse first numbs the area on your back where
the needle will be inserted. Then the needle is guided into the spinal canal and
the anesthetic is injected. You may not be able to move your legs until the
medicine wears off.
After the anesthetic takes effect, the cystoscope tube is inserted into your
urethra and slowly moved into your bladder. Next, the doctor injects either
sterile water or salt water (saline) to help make your bladder larger and to
create a clear view. The doctor may also inject medicine to reduce chances of
infection. The doctor can also insert tiny tools through the tube to collect tissue
samples for biopsy. The tissue samples are sent to the lab to be checked.

The tube is usually in your bladder for only 2 to 10 minutes. But if other X-ray
tests are done at the same time, the entire test may take up to 45 minutes or
longer.

Normal: The urethra, bladder and ureters are normal.

There are no polyps or other abnormal tissues, swelling, bleeding, narrow areas (strictures),
 or structural problems.

There is swelling or narrowing of the urethra because of previous infections or an enlarged prostate gland

There are bladder tumors (which may or may not be cancerous), polyps, ulcers, urinary stones, or
inflammation of the bladder walls.
Abnormal:

Problems in the structure of the urinary tract present since birth (congenital) are seen.

In a woman, pelvic organ prolapse is present.

He or she first inserts a thin viewing instrument (ureteroscope) into
the urethra (the tube that leads from the outside of the body to the bladder).
Then the doctor passes the ureteroscope through the bladder and the ureter, to
get to where the kidney stone is located.

The urologist removes the kidney stone with forceps or by using an

instrument with a "basket" that grabs the stone.

Smaller stones can be removed all in one piece. Larger stones may need
to be broken up before they can be removed.

Several types of instruments are available to break up stones. But most

urologists prefer to use a laser.

The urologist can also use the ureteroscope to reach a kidney stone that is
stuck in the ureter just after it leaves the kidney. He or she may then try to
push the stone back up into the kidney. After the stone is back in the kidney,
the stone may be broken up using lithotripsy
ureteroscopy to remove stones that are stuck in the ureter and are closer to the
bladder than the kidney (in the lower third of the ureter). But newer technology
is allowing ureteroscopy to be used even for small stones in or near the kidney.

Antegrade pyelography
 is a diagnostic test that uses special contrast agent (dye) to produce
detailed X-ray pictures of the upper urinary tract (kidney and ureter).
It is commonly used to diagnose the following conditions
hydronephrosis, ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction and
obstruction of the ureters
The kidneys will initially be examined with an ultrasound probe or a CT
scan. After they are located, the overlying skin will be anesthetized and
a needle will be passed directly into the kidney.
This needle is used to inject dye to outline the renal collection system
(part of the urinary tract draining urine between the kidney and
bladder) on X-ray images and detect any blockages or obstructions.

Retrograde pyelography
uses special contrast agent (dye) to produce detailed X-ray pictures of
the ureters and kidneys. The difference is that in retrograde
pyelography the dye is injected directly into the ureters rather than
into a vein.
It is better suited to see the definition of the upper urinary tract,
particularly the ureter and kidney
Commonly performed when an IVP produces an inadequate image, it
also complements cystoscopy while investigating a patient with
hematuria or recurrent or suspected cancer
This test is performed in a hospital radiology department by a urologist
and is typically carried out under general anesthesia.

 Cystoscopy is performed and the small catheter is inserted into the
opening of the ureter in the bladder. Dye is injected and fluoroscopy is
performed to visualize the ureters and kidneys. The entire study can
take 15 to 30 minutes and is done on an outpatient basis.