When Your Child Needs a Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG)
Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) is a test that uses X-rays to show the flow of urine through the urinary tract. A small flexible tube will be placed in your child’s bladder through the urethra to send contrast to the bladder. This allows the healthcare provider to determine how your child’s bladder functions. It also shows if urine is flowing backward into the kidneys or if another urinary problem is present. A doctor may recommend this test because of frequent urinary tract infections or other urologic problems.
Before the test
• Plan to have your child arrive for the exam with a full bladder. This will help with placing the catheter.
• When you arrive, a technologist and a child life specialist will explain the exam and help prepare your child.
• Help your child change into a hospital gown.
• Tell your child’s healthcare provider and the technologist giving the test if your child is allergic to medicine or the contrast used for the test.
• Tell the healthcare provider about any conditions or illnesses your child has had recently.
During the test• You may stay with your child during the test. We may ask you to stay at the head of the bed.
• For your child’s safety, the doctor may decide your child needs medicine to help with relaxation during the test. We will discuss this with you when scheduling this test.
• For the test, your child lies on his or her back on an X-ray table.
• The genital area is cleaned with an antiseptic. This soap may cause skin to temporarily look brown or red. The soap will wash off with water after the exam.
• A thin, flexible tube called a catheter is then gently inserted into the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body. This may cause discomfort for a moment. The catheter is then slowly passed into the bladder.
• Several X-rays are taken. The X-rays may be seen on a video screen. A special dye called contrast is put into the catheter to fill the bladder. The contrast makes the bladder show up clearly on the X-ray.
• More X-rays are taken while the bladder is filled with contrast.
• We will ask your child while still on the table to urinate onto absorbent pads. The catheter will pass out of the bladder and urethra as your child urinates. More X-rays are taken as the bladder empties.
After the test
• Your child can get back to normal activities after the test.
• The contrast will pass naturally within a day.
• Have your child drink lots of water to help the dye pass out of the body.
• Sometimes children will complain of difficulty or pain with urination after the test. Or you may see a small amount of blood in the urine. This is due to irritation from the tube that was placed in your child's urethra. If the symptoms are worsening or concerning you at home, call your child's healthcare provider.
Getting your child’s results
The radiologist will review the results of the test with you and your child’s healthcare provider after the exam. Your child's urologist will determine the next steps for treatment and discuss these with you at your follow up appointment.