Dr. Scarzella with Cystoscope       Cystoscopy Table     Cystoscopy is an office procedure in which a small, flexible telescope is used in a man to inspect the urethra and bladder. In a woman, a small, rigid telescope is used. This inspection is done with the aid of a fiber optic light source connected to the telescope. Running water allows one a clear view down the telescope into the bladder. The water gradually fills the bladder and smoothes out the bladder walls, enabling a clear inspection of the inside of the bladder. This procedure allows the doctor to detect causes of urinary bleeding (whether microscopic or gross hematuria) from problems such as tumors or obstruction from strictures, prostate enlargement, stones, etc. No special preparation is needed, and the procedure is short and easily tolerated after numbing the urethra with topical anesthetic jelly. Rarely, a patient may experience some burning or minor bleeding after the procedure, but most will resume their normal daily activities immediately after this investigation.   Cystoscopy and Stent Removal A stent is a small plastic tube that has been placed up one or both ureters, usually through cystoscopy, to relieve an obstruction in the ureter. This tube has it's upper end coiled in the kidney and the lower end coiled in the bladder. This stent can be removed during an office cystoscopy with the aid of a grasping forcep under topical anesthesia.   Cystoscopy and Bladder Biopsy/Fulguration Small bladder lesions and tumors may be biopsied with special forceps placed down the cystoscope to sample and also remove the lesion. The base of this lesion can then be cauterized to stop potential bleeding and destroy any remaining areas. This procedure can be performed under topical anesthesia in the office.   Back