What is rigid cystoscopy?

Rigid Cystoscopy is a diagnostic procedure performed by a urologist under general anaesthesia. Uses a special rigid instrument (cystoscope) that carries a special camera with which the specialist inspect the interior of the urethra and bladder and if abnormality is found can take a biopsy at the same time.

The cystoscopy is performed on patients with macroscopic or microscopic hematuria (blood in urine ), when in other tests (ultrasound, CT scan) an abnormality is found in the bladder that

needs its nature to be clarified and when a patient shows symptoms of urination that cannot be explained by other tests and when cannot tolerate cystoscopy to be done under local anaesthesia.

The examination is performed in theatres under general anaesthesia. The special camera enters the bladder from the urethra (from where the man or woman urinates). Images are recorded in video or photos.

Side effect are rare. The most common are: blood in the urine and urinary tract infection.