Urology

• Urinary tract infections
• Vaginal infections (in women)
• Chronic bacterial and nonbacterial prostatitis (in men)
• Bladder cancer
• Bladder inflammation or infection
• Radiation cystitis
• Kidney stones
• Endometriosis
• Neurological disorders
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Low-count bacteria in the urine
• Tuberculosis

Diagnosis usually begins with an examination of urine samples:

• Urinalysis
  In a urinalysis the urine sample is studied under a microscope to check for hematuria (blood in the urine) and bacteria, which may indicate urinary tract infection, urinary tract stones or other problems.
• Urine culture
  In a urine culture a urine sample is studied to determine if there is any bacteria growing in it. The bacteria is then tested to determine which drugs will most effectively treat the bacteria.
• Urine cytology
  A urine cytology examines cells from the bladder lining that are in the urine.

To check for prostatitis in men, prostatic fluid can be examined for signs of infection.

However, the main diagnostic tool for interstitial cystitis (IC) is cystoscopy with hydrodistention. Since this procedure can be painful to anyone with interstitial cystitis, it is usually performed while you are under general anesthesia.

• Cystoscopy
  This procedure allows the urologist to look directly into the bladder. The doctor uses a cystoscope, a thin, telescope-like instrument with a fiber-optic lighting system and a special lens. Usually general anesthesia is given, then the cystoscope is gently inserted into the bladder through the urethra. Using the cystoscope, the doctor can look for stones, ulcers and other disorders, and remove a tiny section of bladder tissue for laboratory examination (biopsy) to check for bladder cancer and other diseases. Interstitial Cystitis is not normally associated with bladder cancer.
  
  
• Hydrodistention
  In this procedure, the doctor stretches (distends) the bladder by filling it with water. Then, using the cystoscope, the doctor looks for glomerulations (pinpoint bleeding hemorrhages) on the bladder wall. Glomerulations are a major symptom of IC. (However, about 5% of IC patients do not have them.)

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