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Urology Harley Street
Urological Investigations
Urological investigations are done to identify and rule out urological conditions. The specific investigations recommended for an individual depend on urological symptoms, prior medical conditions, physical examination and basic blood and urine tests. Patients consult a urologist for a variety of reasons – most frequently, on account of symptoms, findings at a routine medical examination or conditions arising on follow-up of other medical conditions.
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Blood and Urine Tests
- Blood and urine tests often form a baseline for further investigation or monitoring. They assess many physiological constituents of blood and urine that may indicate underlying kidney, bladder and (in men) prostatic disease. The kidneys can be further assessed by ultrasound to assess swelling, abnormal masses and stones, They can be examined in more detail by CT scan (computed tomography), which may involve injection of an X-ray contrast into a vein. In some situations, kidney function can be examined by nuclear renography, (requiring a injection of a small amount of radioactivity that localizes to the kidneys).
If patient require further information on urological urological investigations please visit Mr. Mark Feneley at Urology Clinic 145 Harley Street London W1G 6BJ or call us on +44 (0)20 7486 3830 to book an appointment. -
Bladder Investigations
- Bladder function can be assessed by an ultrasound scan (capacity and emptying) and measurement of the urine flow rate. Bladder pathology cannot be assessed reliably with ultrasound. In men, bladder problems may secondary to prostatic disease. The prostate can be assessed by ultrasound, and this is best done with a probe placed from the rectum. When prostate biopsies are necessary, these are usually done with transrectal ultrasound (see below).
If patient require further information on urological urological investigations please visit Mr. Mark Feneley at Urology Clinic 145 Harley Street London W1G 6BJ or call us on +44 (0)20 7486 3830 to book an appointment. -
Cystoscopy and Flexible Cystoscopy
- Cystoscopy is a visual examination to assess the inside of the bladder, prostate (in men) and urethra. Whenever a bladder tumour needs to be excluded, cystoscopy is required. As a diagnostic investigation to exclude abnormalities, cystoscopy is routinely carried out with a flexible cystoscopy and local anaesthetic gel in the urethra.
Flexible cystoscopy is a short out-patient procedure that takes about 5-10 minutes, and it is not unlike passing a catheter (tube) into the bladder, and the bladder is then filled with water. Most patients experience far less discomfort than they anticipate and tolerate the procedure extremely well. When bladder abnormalities are seen at cystoscopy, biopsy is usually necessary, and this is best carried out with anaesthesia.
If patient require further information on urological urological investigations please visit Mr. Mark Feneley at Urology Clinic 145 Harley Street London W1G 6BJ or call us on +44 (0)20 7486 3830 to book an appointment. -
Transrectal Ultrasound and Prostate Biopsy
- Transrectal ultrasound prostate biopsy is a procedure to take samples of tissue from the prostate to detect underlying prostate cancer. Prostate biopsy does have some risks, particularly infection and bleeding. Infection is usually prevented by taking antibiotics in advance and for a few days afterwards. Nevertheless, infection can develop occasionally, either in the prostate, urine or bloodstream, typically a few days after the procedure. Symptoms may include burning on passing urine, fever, shaking or general malaise. It is therefore important to take antibiotic as instructed, and to complete the full course after the procedure.
A limited amount of bleeding is not uncommon, in the urine, semen or bowel. This usually settles within a few days, though blood in the semen may take several weeks to clear. Additional precautions prior to biopsy are necessary in patients who have a bleeding tendency or take medication that thins the blood.
Local anaesthetic solution is infiltrated around the prostate to reduce the discomfort of the procedure. You will be asked to sign a consent form before the biopsy is carried out. The procedure itself takes about 10 minutes, and afterwards you will be able to travel home.
Several prostate tissue samples are taken with an ultrasound probe placed in the rectum to direct each biopsy. The number of samples depends on the size of the prostate. These are then sent to a laboratory for examination by a histopathologist.
It is recommend that you are accompanied and avoid driving for the remainder of the day. You should avoid strenuous activity until you have completed the course of antibiotics. If you feel unwell you should call your urologist and take medical advice.
While the risk of prostate cancer relates to levels of prostate-specific antigen in the blood, and abnormalities on digital rectal examination, none of these tests are reliable for detection of prostate cancer in its early stages (see cancer screening>prostate). Unfortunately, prostate biopsy remains the only definitive means to diagnose the disease in its early stages.
If patient require further information on urological urological investigations please visit Mr. Mark Feneley at Urology Clinic 145 Harley Street London W1G 6BJ or call us on +44 (0)20 7486 3830 to book an appointment.
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The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.