What is a retrograde urethrogram?

Retrograde urethrogram is a radiological procedure for exploring the integrity of the urethra, part of the lower urine tract. Usually, the procedure is performed in men after they have been subjected to dull force trauma, but can also be performed in women. In the procedure, the dye is injected until the urethral hole is opened and the dye movement up into the bladder is evaluated by X -rays. Although the test is most often performed in trauma settings, it is also possible to look for a narrowing of an average of the urethra.

The basic idea of ​​performing a retrograde urethrogram is the visualization of the urethra, an anatomical structure that carries urine from the bladder to the outer body, allowing people to urinate. With this radiographic procedure, a dye is injected into the urinary hole and enters the body opposite the direction, which usually flows through urine. The X -ray is taken from the lower pelvic area, allowing the dye visualization. Normal test would show Dye advancing from the lower urethra up to the bladder and fill the urinary mSmutter with contrasting material. On the X -ray, the dye could run outside the normal path of the urethra, indicating that the wall of this tubular structure has been disturbed. In some cases, the dye would never reach the bladder, which also suggests that the urethra has been damaged.

One of the most important reasons why retrograde urethrogram urethrogram is performed is in the acute trauma settings. The test is carried out more often in men because they have a higher risk of suffering from the urethra damage, because these structures are much longer in men because their urethra must pass through the length of the penis. In some cases, however, the test can also be carried out in women to ensure that they do not have a key structure. Clinical findings indicating that this radiological procedure should be performed, includes bleeding when opening the urethra, finding bruises or hematomas in the skin overlapsThe urethra or recording of highly driving prostate in men when performing a rectal test.

Another reason why a retrograde urethrogram could be made is to look for restrictions or narrowing in the urethra. In part, they may develop from a chronic infection living with a catheter located inside the urethra for a longer period of time or to be subject to radiation therapy as part of the cancer treatment regime. Symptoms associated with the development of restrictions may include stress with urination or a sense of incomplete bladder evacuation.