Cystoscopy

When patients visit Dr. Gandhi with urinary problems, he may suggest patients undergo a cystoscopy. This diagnostic test allows him to determine problems within the urinary tract visually. A thin instrument with a small light called a cystoscope is inserted into the urethra and into the bladder. This allows Dr. Gandhi to look inside the organs and see problems that cannot be seen with x-rays and other diagnostic tests. The cystoscope can assist in removing tissue or urine samples from inside the body for further testing and analysis.

Attractive young woman enjoying her time outside in park

Dr. Gandhi of Partners in Pelvic Health North Shore Urogynecology may suggest a cystoscopy for several reasons. He may want to find the source of blood in the urine or determine the reason for a blockage in the urinary tract. Removing tissues for biopsy or foreign objects can be achieved with a cystoscope. Urinary tract conditions such as tumors and kidney stones can be diagnosed with this test as well.

The test is performed in the practice as an outpatient procedure. It begins with the patient removing their clothing and wearing a gown. They will lie back on the table with their feet in stirrups. The area is prepared with antiseptic cleanser. Local anesthetic is applied to the urethra before the cystoscope is inserted.

Cystoscopy is a safe and effective test that can provide thorough results for proper diagnosis of several conditions. Patients describe the unexpectedly (they anticipated pain) tolerable with only slight discomfort.

The cystoscopy procedure takes approximately 10 minutes, but may last longer if any additional tests are performed during the same visit. Patients may experience some temporary discomfort and swelling of the urethra after their visit. Some spotting may occur after the procedure but is normal and will go away on its own.

Sanjay Gandhi, M.D.

Sanjay Gandhi, M.D.
Partners in Pelvic Health North Shore Urogynecology

Conditions affecting the female pelvis are the focus at Partners in Pelvic Health North Shore Urogynecology. We provide effective solutions for these problems from our offices at Park City, Woodstock, and Lake Forest in Illinois.

Our team is headed by Sanjay Gandhi, MD, Urogynecologist. Dr. Gandhi’s specialized education included a residency in gynecology and obstetrics at Northwestern University and a three-year urogynecology fellowship. He is among a few in the country to pass the first examination in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (URPS) of The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He also teaches healthcare students.