Nuclear Cystogram

What is the purpose of a nuclear cystogram?
This type of scan is usually performed on children to evaluate urinary reflux.

How is the nuclear cystogram performed?
The patient will lie on a table. If the patient is a child, a papoose may be used to help the child remain still. A pediatric nurse, who specializes in the medical care of children, will insert a urinary catheter.

A saline bag is connected to the urinary catheter. A small amount of radioactivity is injected through the saline line. The bladder is then filled with saline to see if there is any reflux back into the kidneys.

Pictures are taken with a camera that detects radioactivity, while the bladder is being filled. After the bladder is filled, the patient is asked to empty the bladder. If the patient is a child capable of sitting on a bed-pan and urinating, he/or she will be asked to do so. Pictures will be taken at this time to see if there is any reflux while the patient urinates. If the child is too young to sit up, medical staff will wait for the child to empty their bladder into their diaper. Pictures will be taken at this time. The test will take approximately one hour to complete.

How should one prepare for this scan?
There are no special preparations for a nuclear cystogram.

How does a patient feel after a nuclear cystogram?
The patient may have some discomfort around the area that was catheterized. Nurses will give you information about what to expect and instructions for what to do after the procedure.

How soon will my doctor get the results?
After the procedure is complete, a nuclear medicine physician will study the pictures along with the patient's medical history to make an assessment of what the images show. He will then dictate a report that will be forwarded to your physician within five to seven business days. If your doctor needs the results sooner, he/she may contact the nuclear medicine physician on the day of the exam.

How do I make an appointment?
Your doctor will write an order or prescription for the test. The doctor will either give you the order or have it faxed to the hospital. You may then schedule your appointment by calling the Nuclear Medicine Department at 847-723-5050.

If I still have questions, who should I call?
For more information about the procedure, please call the Nuclear Medicine Department at 847-723-5050.