You are scheduled to have a Voiding Cystourethrogram, or VCUG. This test takes place in the Radiology department of the hospital. Pictures called X-rays will be taken to help your doctor see your bladder and kidneys. X-rays also show the doctor the areas that connect the bladder to your kidneys. What happens when you have a VCUG? Here is a step-by-step description of the process. If you have questions along the way, write them down or ask us. That way, we can be sure to answer them before the test starts.
First, check in at the Admissions Office. Then go to the Radiology reception desk. They will show you to the waiting room, where lots of games and toys await you.
TV Screen -- Big Camera Bed A technologist will call your name when it is your turn. She will take you and your parent into a room with a few big machines. These machines are just big cameras! There will be a bed with a pillow and a blue mat on it. The cameras are connected to a TV screen so that the doctor can see the pictures that are being taken. Let the doctor know if you would like to see your pictures on the TV screen!
A few people will be in the VCUG room with you. You can bring a parent along, and the technologist and doctor are there to help, too. You will get a hospital gown to wear for the pictures. Please take off your pants and underwear to keep them clean. It is OK to hold your teddy bear, blanket or other item that helps you feel comfortable.
Girl Position Boy Position Your job is to lie down on the table. The technician will help put your legs in the right place. Girls need to get into the frog-leg position with knees bent, feet together and knees relaxed out to the side. Boys need to be flat on the bed with their legs out straight.
The doctor will clean the private area between your legs with warm water and a little soap. This will feel warm and wet. Please do not touch anything below your belly button until the test is over. Next, the doctor will slide a small, thin tube called a catheter into the opening where your urine (pee) comes out. He will use a slippery liquid to make it go in easier. For boys, the doctor might put a little numbing gel on the tip of your penis so that you don t feel the catheter as much. Girls do not need this gel. Once the tube is in, he will slide it along the path to your bladder. After it is in place, the doctor might put a small piece of tape on your leg to make sure that the tube doesn t come out until after he takes the picture. Your job now is to relax and stay very still.
How can you relax during a VCUG? Here are a few ideas that might help. Blow bubbles. Slowly take a deep breath, then very slowly pretend you are blowing a huge bubble. Go slowly you don t want the bubble to pop! You may need to pretend to blow more than one bubble while the doctor puts in the catheter. Sing. Practice singing your favorite songs. (Don t leave out any words!) Read. Bring a good book and have your mom or dad read it to you (or you read it to them). Other kids have said Where s Waldo and I Spy books help them relax. You might have your own ideas to help relax. Share them with us and we will help you any way we can. We know this test is new and different and maybe a little scary. Let us know how you are feeling. It s OK to cry if you feel like you want to. Relaxed Hand Tense Hand
Once the tube is in place, the technologist will move the big X-ray camera over your body. Now the doctor will start taking pictures. He will connect the tube to a bottle of clear liquid hanging from a pole. The liquid is called contrast and will help the doctor see your bladder and kidneys better. The liquid goes from the bottle, through the tube and then into your bladder. As this happens, you might feel like you need to go to the bathroom.
Tell the doctor when you must go to the bathroom. He will keep taking pictures. He may need to take a picture of the contrast coming out, so he will tell you to go to the bathroom right on the table! There are special blue mats under you so that you won t get too wet. If you have trouble going to the bathroom on the table, the technologist might pour some warm water on your private area to make it easier for you. The doctor is taking pictures of your bladder and kidneys while you are emptying your bladder.
When the doctor has finished taking the pictures, he will remove the tube and clean you up a little. Then you can get dressed and go home!
GLOSSARY VOIDING CYSTOURETHROGRAM (VCUG): Pronounced voy-ding Sis-toe-you-wreath-throw-gram. RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT: The place in the Hospital where X-rays are taken, and where your VCUG will be done. X-RAY: A picture of the inside of your body. BLADDER: The place in your body that holds urine (pee) before you go to the bathroom. KIDNEYS: You have two Kidneys. Kidneys clean waste (stuff your body doesn t need) from inside your body and turns it into urine (pee). Your body can get rid of the waste by going to the bathroom (peeing). TECHNOLOGIST: A person that goes to school to learn how to take X-Rays and helps the doctor. CONTRAST MATERIAL: Liquid that looks like water. When it is inside your body it helps the doctor to see your bladder and kidneys clearly. CATHETER: A small, thin tube that is about the size of a spaghetti noodle. The doctor uses the catheter to put contrast material into your bladder.