Urethrocystoscopy & Vaginoscopy
Urethrocystoscopy involves the passing of an endoscope through the vulva and up the urethra to allow for examination of the lower urinary tract. This minimally invasive approach can be helpful in examining for tumors of the urinary bladder and urethra, ectopic ureters, removing small bladder stones, and various other chronic urinary problems. By performing urethrocystoscopy we can often avoid more invasive surgical approaches to diagnose disease.
Left: image of a urethral tumor
Right: image of the vaginal vault showing the urethral opening (top center) and opening to the vagina (bottom)
Image of a tumor originating at the neck of the bladder
Possible indications for urethrocystoscopy or vaginoscopy
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Blood in urine
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Urine dribbling
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Increased urinary frequency
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Straining to urinate
2 images of a vaginal sarcoma. This dog was passing fresh bloody discharge from her vulva that could not be attributed to urinary bladder disease.