Urology Care Foundation - What is a Voiding Cystourethrogram?

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Voiding Cystourethrogram

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What is a Voiding Cystourethrogram?

There are two types of studies that might be performed to look into bladder problems.

One is a Voiding Cystourethrogram or VCUG - this test shows your health care team the size of your bladder and how well it can drain when you pee.

The other is a cystogram - this shows the size of your bladder only. This might be performed if you cannot pee on your own, or if the questions being answered don’t depend upon how well you can pee.

The test can also be used to evaluate anything abnormal about the urethra and the bladder. For example, it can find a problem with the narrowing of the urethra (stricture) or help uncover VUR (vesicoureteral reflux), a condition in which urine flows back up from the bladder through the ureter and into the kidney.

Diagram of the Male and Female Urinary Tracts

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Procedure

This test is done in a hospital or in a health care provider’s office. It is done by a doctor, physician assistant (PA), nurse practitioner (NP) or an X-ray technician. No special set-up is needed.

You will either be standing or lying on your back. You will be asked to stay still. A basic X-ray of the abdomen and pelvis is taken. This helps your health care team decide on the best way to position the test.

Then a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is put through the urethra into the bladder. Dye is placed in the bladder through this tube. You may experience some discomfort when the catheter is inserted. As the bladder fills, X-rays are taken in different positions and times.

The catheter is taken out and more X-rays are taken while you pass urine into a container. Once your bladder is empty, a final X-ray is taken. The entire test takes about an hour.

Risks

While VCUG is mainly safe, some people react poorly to the iodine based dye. This is very rare because the dye goes into the bladder and not into the bloodstream.

Minor reactions include:

  • Hot flashes
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

These are most often treated successfully with antihistamines.

More serious side effects are:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Low blood pressure
  • Swelling of the mouth or throat
  • Heart problems

There is also a chance of a urinary tract infection (as with any use of a catheter).

The radiation exposure during this test is relatively low. But women who are or may be pregnant should tell their health care team before the test.

After the Test

You may feel slight pain or burning when passing urine for up to 48 hours. Your urine may also be slightly pink. You can go back to daily activities as soon as the test is done. If the pain does not go away, if you have a fever, or if your urine is bright red, you should contact your health care team.

Updated December 2024. 

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