If your doctor suspects that you have a medical problem involving the urinary tract, bladder or kidneys, she may recommend that you undergo a urinary diagnostic test. The Harvard Medical School and the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) both provide patient information regarding diagnostic tests for urinary disorders:
Cystourethrogram
A cystourethrogram allows your doctor to observe how your bladder functions when it is filled or emptied of liquid. Patients undergoing this procedure have a liquid dye injected via a catheter into the bladder. X-rays are then taken while the bladder is full and while it empties, allowing the doctor to observe the bladder function. This test can be especially helpful in the diagnosis of patients who have frequent urinary tract infections, urine leakage or kidney problems.
Cytoscopy
Cystoscopy is a procedure in which your doctor inserts a thin scope through the urethra, allowing him to view the inside of your bladder. This test is commonly used to detect the cause of hematuria (blood in the urine).
Intravenous Pyelogram
The intravenous pyleogram (IVP) is a test that uses an X-ray to visualize the organs of your urinary system. During this test, a liquid dye is injected into the body through an intravenous (IV) line. The dye, which provides a contrast on the X-ray, then moves through the kidneys and bladder as the body works to excrete the liquid. This test can help detect obstructions in the urinary tract such as kidney stones or tumors.
Radionuclide Kidney Scan
A radionuclide kidney scan provides an image of your kidneys as they filter waste and excess liquid from your body through urine production. Prior to undergoing the scan, you will be given a radioactive medicine that accumulates in the kidneys. The radioactivity detector can then be used to take pictures of your kidneys. This test can help detect obstructions or damage within the kidneys, and can also help determine the extent of an infection within the urinary system.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a test that utilizes sound waves to create brief, moving images of internal body structures. The radiologist will rub a transducer over the abdomen, which sends and receives sound waves as they are reflected off internal tissue and organs. These sound echoes are then transformed into an image, which is displayed on a monitor for the radiologist to examine. An abdominal ultrasound can allow your doctor to check for abnormalities such as tumors or obstructions in the kidneys and urinary tract.
Urinalysis
A urinalysis is a test that allows your doctor to examine the contents of your urine. The urine sample you provide will be assessed for pH, color, cloudiness and cell content. This test can help detect cells, bacteria or chemicals within the urine that are suggestive of illness.
Urine Culture
A urine culture enables your doctor to evaluate the presence or type of bacteria within your urine. Your doctor will place a sample of your urine in conditions conducive to bacterial growth. A positive culture result means that bacterial growth occurred in your urine sample. This test is typically performed if your doctor suspects that you have a bacterial urinary tract infection.
Urodynamic Tests
Urodynamic tests evaluate how your urine is stored within the bladder, as well as how urine flows out of the bladder through the urethra. These types of tests can measure the speed and volume of urination (uroflowmetry), the amount of urine remaining in your bladder after urination (postvoid residual) or the pressure within the bladder (cystometry).
