Voiding Cystourethrogram

Radiology Terms and Definitions

We heard you are going to have some special pictures of your bladder called a V.C.U.G.. We thought we would tell you a little bit about them so you'll know what's going on. The VCUG is done in the Radiology Department where some x-rays of your bladder will be taken.

• A technologist will have you remove all your clothes and put on a hospital gown which ties up in the back.
• You will then be asked to pee in the toilet. After you have peed, the technologist will take you and your parents into the x-ray room.
• There you will see a TV, an x-ray table and on the walls, various pictures. Can you tell what they are? Where are the birdies?
• First the technologist will ask you to climb up on the table and lie on your back. Your parents can stay with you during the entire test if you want them to.
• The test should only take about 30 minutes.
• The radiologist or technologist will put on rubber gloves to keep you as clean as possible.
• They will wash the area where you pee. The liquid we use will be a bit cold and feel funny but it won't hurt. After washing, you will be covered up with a paper sheet. This is to keep the area super clean so you must not touch it until the test is over. If you want to, you can hold mommy and daddy's hand.
• The radiologist or technologist will then put a small slippery plastic tube into where you pee. Once it is in place, a small piece of tape is used to hold it in. It will burn for a few seconds and feel uncomfortable but that feeling will pass.
• Special contrast material that shows up on x-rays and outlines your bladder will be dripped in through the tube. The camera will be placed over you and on the TV you will see what you like inside.
• The lights will be turned down in the room so the doctor can see the TV better. Notice the clear liquid showing up black on the TV. It is filling up your bladder. When you have to pee really bad, tell the doctor.
• The tape will be removed and you will be asked to pee on the special cloth provided. As you pee, the tube falls out. You shouldn't feel it. Pictures will be taken.
• After the pictures are taken, the test is over and you may go home.
• Don't forget to ask for a special sticker which we give to all of the boys and girls who have had their pictures taken.

Please note that infants will usually be comforted by a bottle of milk at the time the catheter is placed. Please also adjust timing of next feeding to coincide with V.C.U.G. appointment.