Micturating Cystourethrogram (X-ray MCU)

Your healthcare provider may order this test in the following conditions:

• To check for the size, shape and problems related to the bladder
• To check for birth defects associated with urethra or bladder 
• To evaluate the cause of vesicoureteral reflux, which is a disorder in which the urine flows back to the kidney
• To assess the cause of frequent urinary tract infections
• When you have difficulty in emptying the bladder 
• To find the narrowing of the urethral tube in males
• If you had prior trauma, infections or surgeries

MCU x-ray should be avoided in people if they: 

• Have an active and untreated urinary infection
• Are pregnant

 Before an MCU X-ray:

• Your doctor may ask you to sign a consent form to give your permission for the procedure.
• You will be given a hospital gown for the test. The following things must be avoided during an x-ray procedure as they can interfere with the test:
  • Metal objects
  • Jewellery
  • Dentures
  • Glasses
  • Buttons
  • Zippers
• Tell your doctor if you:
  • Are allergic to contrast dye 
  • Have an allergic reaction to any medicine 
  • Had an illness recently
  • Are pregnant
• Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics, two to three days before the test, to avoid urinary tract infection from the test.
• Women should tell the doctor if they are on their period along with their last period dates.

The following steps are performed for this test:

• You may need to lie down on the exam table for the test. 
• The doctor will clean your genital area and cover it with sterile towels. 
• He/she may also apply a local anaesthetic gel over the area. 
• Next, the doctor will introduce a catheter tube inside your urethra, and fill the contrast dye (if needed) into your bladder. 
• When the dye flows into your bladder, the images are captured. 
• Once the doctor gets the required images, he/she will remove the catheter and ask you to stand. The x-ray machine will also be placed in an upright position. 
• The doctor may ask you to urinate in that position and capture more x-ray images when you urinate. 

The procedure lasts for nearly 20 minutes.

There may be a feeling of discomfort when the catheter is inserted, or the contrast dye is filled inside the bladder. You may also feel cold when the area is cleaned or during the preparation for the test. Also, some people may feel awkward urinating during the test.

The following conditions can give abnormal results in an MCU x-ray test:

• Enlarged prostate gland in men (an enlargement of gland that produces sperm-containing fluid during ejaculation)
• Ureterocele (a condition in which the bottom of one of the tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder is swollen)
• Neurogenic bladder (a condition in which the bladder does not empty properly due to a brain or nerve problem)
• Urinary reflux nephropathy (a condition in which the kidneys are damaged due to the backflow of urine)
• Narrowing or scarring of the urethra 
• Formation of pouch-like sacs on the walls of the lower urinary tract

 The benefits of the MCU x-ray are as follows:

• There is no radiation left in the body after the test. 
• There are no side effects of x-ray when used within the diagnostic range. 
• The detailed results help in preventing kidney damage in people with urinary tract infections.

The risks of the MCU x-ray are as follows:

• Some people are allergic to the contrast dye.
• Low risk of UTI due to catheter insertion

You can go home after the test. You may feel a slight discomfort while urinating for a while after the test. It will go away on its own. Inform your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Blood in the urine for more than two days 
• Pain in the lower abdomen 
• Fever
• Fatigue 
• Pain or burning sensation while urinating 
• Frequent urination

The following are the other tests performed along with MCU x-ray to evaluate vesicoureteral reflux:

• Kidney or bladder ultrasound 
• Kidney scan
• Nuclear cystogram

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.