Common Urology Diagnostic Tests
There are many different ways to diagnose possible urology issues in patients, at Paragon Care we offer many diagnostic tools that can be used to gain results on site and make clinical decisions for positive patient outcomes more quicker. As with everything in healthcare, the faster a patient is diagnosed, the sooner you can start treatment, so having all diagnosis options available is key to improving your results.
Have a read below to see more about some of the most common urology solutions available, all of which we can provide the equipment required to perform:
Urine Analysis
- This is the simplest and most common way to evaluate urine. The various components of the provided sample are exclaimed using microscopic examination to look for any abnormal organisms, blood cells, or inflammatory cells which may indicate cancer, urinary tract infections, or any other urological diseases. This is widely used for analyzing the health of the lower urinary tract and is the first port of call for assessing any possible issues.
Kidney, Ureter, Bladder (KUB) X-ray
- If any abnormalities are suspected, generally an x-ray will be the first method used to see if anything odd can be located in the urinary system. The x-ray will be focused on the patient’s abdomen to investigate the possibility of any issues. These images are then printed out for the physician to review. X-rays are very common across all medical fields, so they are used quite frequently in initial assessments.
Bladder Biopsy
- This method is generally only reserved for when there is a suspicion of cancer cells in the bladder, it is an invasive assessment and so is best avoided unless necessary. The patient is given anesthesia, then a thin tube with a camera and light attached to it is entered into the bladder to remove a sample of tissues from the wall of the bladder. This sample will then be examined under the microscope to analyze the presence of diseases. Patients may experience mild pain which goes away after a few days.
Computed Axial Tomography (CT) scan
- It is an imaging technique that uses computers and X-rays to generate three-dimensional images of the internal organs and tissues of the body. These scans can be used to diagnose abnormalities in kidneys, ureters, bladder and the vessels attached to them. It is not an invasive technique, but it does take some preparation from both the patient and the doctor.
Intravenous Pyelogram/Urogram
- It is an x-ray examination of the upper urinary tract including kidneys, urethra, and ureters. This is a more advanced version of the typical x-ray as it uses a special dye that is injected into the veins and then carried through the bloodstream and entire urinary system. It makes it easier to get a clear look at the health and functioning of the urinary system.
Abdominal/Renal Ultrasound
- Ultrasounds are one of the less invasive options for diagnosis while also providing faster results than an x-ray. It is an imaging technique that uses ultrasound waves to examine the kidneys and bladder. A clear gel is applied to the area of the abdomen that needs assessment and then a small hand-held probe is moved over this area to see the organs. Images appear on the screen and are printed as a film.
Prostate Biopsy
- This is an important test to confirm suspicions of prostate cancer. As this is an invasive method, a prostate biopsy will not be completed unless the patient shows signs of abnormality in the blood or irregular results of rectal examination and there is a likelihood of cancerous tissue.
Cystoscopy
- A cystoscope is a thin flexible tube with a light and a camera attached to it that can be inserted inside the bladder to assist physicians with getting a close look at the lower urinary tract including the bladder, urethra, and prostate. It helps to diagnose urological conditions such as bladder cancer, chronic pelvic pain, benign prostate hyperplasia, and urinary incontinence. As it is invasive, it is possible patients may experience mild side effects such as a burning sensation or blood in the urine, which should disappear after 2-3 days.
Uro-dynamics Testing
- This is a combination of several tests used to examine the function and efficiency of the lower urinary tract including the bladder and urethra. This is the most common urological test to diagnose any urinary problems such as frequent urination, urine leakage, painful urination, or difficulty emptying the bladder.
At Paragon Care, we offer healthcare products in Australia that are designed to help make the process of diagnosing urology issues faster than ever. If your facility needs to perform any of the above tests, then contact our friendly team for options on what urology solutions we can provide to help streamline your diagnostic process.