Urology |
D11
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Haematuria Clinic
The Haematuria Clinic
What is Haematuria?
Haematuria refers to blood being present in the urine.
If you have experienced passing blood in your urine or your GP has found evidence of blood on a urine dipstick test you will be referred urgently for further investigation.
Investigation of this symptom occurs in our haematuria clinic.
What can I expect when I come for my clinic visit?
At the haematuria clinic we will perform a number of investigations to find a cause for your symptoms:
- A urine sample will be sent to look for infection (MSU) and abnormal cells (cytology)
- An ultrasound test will be done to look at your kidneys and bladder
- A flexible telescope will be passed into the bladder under local anaesthetic
When you come to this clinic you will first be sent to the Ultrasound Department where an ultrasound of your kidneys and bladder will be performed by one of the radiology team. The urologist will have the results of this scan when he sees you.
Following the ultrasound you will then be seen by one of our urologists who will perform a flexible cystoscopy:
The flexible cystoscopy
What does the procedure involve?
A small flexible telescope is inserted into the bladder via the water pipe (urethra). A local anaesthetic jelly is used to numb and lubricate the urethra which makes passage of the instrument into the bladder as comfortable as possible. Men often find passage of the instrument through the area of the prostate gland uncomfortable but this is momentary.
Once the instrument is in place, the examination will only take a few minutes to complete. During the procedure sterile water is used to fill the bladder so that all the lining can be inspected.
A nurse will remain with you whilst the examination is taking place and will explain anything you do not understand.
Once the urologist has completed the examination, he/she will remove the instrument and will explain the findings. You will also be advised of the need for any further treatment.
You will then be able to walk to the toilet to pass the fluid that has been used to fill your bladder.
At home after the procedure
When you get home, you should drink plenty of fluid to flush your system through.
You may find that, when you first pass urine, it stings or burns slightly and it may be lightly bloodstained. If you continue to drink plenty of fluid, this discomfort and bleeding will resolve rapidly.
If you develop a fever, severe pain on passing urine, inability to pass urine or worsening bleeding, you should contact your GP immediately.
What happens next?
This will depend on what we find. If an abnormality is found your urologist will explain what this is and will arrange for further investigation or an operation to treat the problem.
If all your tests are normal and there is no further cause for concern you will be reassured and discharged. However, if nothing is detected on your initial visit but concern still remains then further evaluation may be required with a CT scan that will be done urgently on a separate visit. You will then be seen in the outpatient department to discuss the results.