Your child has been referred for an MCU examination which utilises fluoroscopic imaging and an iodine/saline contrast liquid. The most common reason for this examination is for the investigation of urinary tract infections. The study looks at the dynamics of the bladder and ureters (tubes that drain the kidneys) and makes sure that urine isn’t travelling back up from the bladder to the kidneys, a condition called urinary reflux. Your child should not have the MCU performed if they currently have a urinary tract infection. If you have any concerns please consult your child’s physician.
Your preparation requirements
No preparation is required. Parents of the child having an MCU are encouraged to stay with their child for the duration of their procedure.
Please notify your doctor and the staff at Sound Radiology if you are a diabetic, have renal disease, any allergies or you think you could be pregnant.
What to expect
Your child will be required to change into a gown or remove their nappy for this examination. They will lie on the x-ray table and their groin region will be washed down with a disinfectant solution. The small catheter is then inserted into the bladder via the urethra and has a local anaesthetic gel applied to it to reduce the discomfort to your child. The clear contrast liquid is then passed into the bladder whilst fluoroscopy images are taken. Your child will then be able to empty their bladder into either a nappy or pan. Re-filling the bladder for further imaging may be required. Once our radiologist is satisfied with the study, the catheter is removed and the procedure is finished.
Very small babies are often referred for this examination and they tolerate it extremely well. The procedure can be all over within 10 minutes, but can take up to 1 hour if the child is having difficulty emptying their bladder.
After your procedure
The following points should be considered after your child’s MCU procedure:
- Try to promote an extra fluid intake for the following 24 hours to help flush out the bladder
- Your child may mention that it is sore when they go to the toilet – this should not be experienced after 24 hours
- Urine may be blood stained for the first 24 hours post procedure due to the irritation from the catheter, but this should resolve
- If your child begins to have symptoms of fever, ongoing blood stained urine or becomes generally unwell after the procedure, please consult your child’s physician immediately or present to the emergency department of your local hospital
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us or consult your referring practitioner.
If your child is having an MCU, please see our checklists below.
