Voiding cystograms in children?

Question

My 9 yr old son is having a voiding cystogram for uti's and i have a few questions.

1.How painful is the procedure? Will they have to hold him down from the pain?

2.After the procedure what can i expect? Bleeding/pain/ any precations?

Answer 1

A voiding cystourethrogram is relatively painless.  If he has not had one before, they may or may not do it with a little sedation.  Since he is 9 I doubt they will have to hold him down for it.  They will take plain x-rays of the bladder (probably a couple of shots).  A catheter will be inserted in the p***s (this is the worst part and hopefully they will use some numbing jelly first so he should not feel much) and then inject dye (contrast) into the bladder.  This may or may not make him feel a little queasy but it passes very quickly.  The catheter will then be removed and more x-rays done.  He will be asked to urinate while on the table so x-rays can be taking while he voids to see if there is reflux into one or both ureters (tubes that come from the kidneys to the bladder).  There should be no effects after the procedure.  He should drink a lot of water to flush the contrast from his system after the procedure.  He may experience a little burning with urination after the procedure but this is normal and usually caused by the catheterization.  Drinking the water will help with that as well.  There should not be any bleeding unless a stricture in the urethra is why he is having the infections.  The thing you have to emphasize is that he has to remain as still as possible when they are taking the x-rays.  The whole procedure takes about 30 minutes.