5 Diagnostic Tools for UrologyRebecca Ray

Urine Culture (UC)

Urine Culture, continuedA urine culture uses an agar medium to attempt to culture any bacteria that might be present, which would indicate infection.

Sensitivity is a related test that uses small paper discs impregnated with different antimicrobial drugs. The discs with the largest clear areas around them indicate which antibiotic works best for the infection. (see image on previous page)

Urinalysis is a panel of tests for substances found normally in urine and also those abnormal substances that point to potential health problems. (image at right)

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

BUN is a test of the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood.7-21 mg/dL of blood is the normal range. (compare to the graph at left)Elevated levels indicate azotemia, an accumulation of nitrogenous waste in the blood. This happens when the kidneys fail to remove the waste from the blood.

KUB (X-ray of Kidneys, Ureters, and Bladder)

A KUB is an abdominal X-ray that does not use any dye or contrast medium.It can be used to detect kidney stones, but otherwise is not the most useful tool for urologists.It is normally the first image taken in a series of more specific images.

Catheterization (cath)A catheter may be inserted to drain urine from the bladder or even directly from the kidney.

Catheters are also used to insert dye or contrast medium for diagnostic procedures.

Retrograde Pyelogram (RP)

This type of X-ray involves inserting dye into the urethra with a catheter.The bladder, ureters, and renal pelvis are all visibly enhanced.There is also an intravenous pyelogram (IVP) wherein the dye is injected into a blood vessel and works its way down to the bladder.

Comparing IVP with RP

Intravenous Pyelography Retrograde Pyelography