BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuUreteral retrograde brush biopsyBiopsy - brush - urinary tract; Retrograde ureteral brush biopsy cytology; Cytology - ureteral retrograde brush biopsyUreteral retrograde brush biopsy is a surgical procedure. During the surgery, your surgeon takes a small sample of tissue from the lining of the kidney or ureter. The ureter is the tube that connects a kidney to the bladder. The tissue is sent to a lab for testing.BiopsyA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article How the Test is Performed This procedure is done using:Regional (spinal) anesthesia SpinalSpinal and epidural anesthesia are procedures that deliver medicines that numb parts of your body to block pain. They are given through shots in or ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article General anesthesiaGeneral anesthesiaGeneral anesthesia is treatment with certain medicines that puts you into a deep sleep so you do not feel pain during surgery. After you receive the...Read Article Now Book Mark Article You will not feel any pain. The test takes about 30 to 60 minutes.A cystoscope is first placed through the urethra into the bladder. A cystoscope is a tube with a camera on the end.CystoscopeCystoscopy is a surgical procedure. This is done to see the inside of the bladder and urethra using a thin, lighted tube.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Then a guide wire is inserted through the cystoscope into the ureter (the tube between the bladder and kidney). The cystoscope is removed. But the guide wire is left in place. A ureteroscope is inserted over or next to the guide wire. The ureteroscope is a longer, thinner telescope with a small camera. The surgeon can see the inside of the ureter or kidney through the camera. A nylon or steel brush is placed through the ureteroscope. The area to be biopsied is rubbed with the brush. Biopsy forceps may be used instead to collect a tissue sample. The brush or biopsy forceps is removed. The tissue is taken from the instrument.The sample is then sent to a pathology lab for analysis. The instrument and guide wire are removed from the body. A small tube or stent may be left in the ureter. This prevents a kidney blockage caused by swelling from the procedure. It is removed later. How to Prepare for the Test You may not be able to eat or drink anything for about 6 hours before the test. Your health care provider will tell you how you need to prepare. How the Test will Feel You may have some mild cramping or discomfort after the test is over. You may have a burning feeling the first few times you empty your bladder. You may also urinate more often or have some blood in your urine for a few days after the procedure. You may have discomfort from the stent that will continue to be in place until it is removed at a later time. Why the Test is Performed This test is used to take a sample of tissue from the kidney or ureter. It is performed when an x-ray or other test has shown a suspicious area (lesion). This can also be done if there is blood or abnormal cells in the urine.x-rayX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results The tissue appears normal. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal results may show cancer cells (carcinoma). This test is often used to tell the difference between cancerous (malignant) and noncancerous (benign) lesions.CarcinomaCancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.Read Article Now Book Mark Article BenignBenign refers to a condition, tumor, or growth that is not cancerous. This means that it does not spread to other parts of the body. It does not in...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks Risks for anesthesia and surgery in general are:Reactions to medicines Breathing problems Bleeding, blood clots InfectionAnother possible risk for this procedure is damage that creates a hole (perforation) in the ureter. This can cause scarring of the ureter and you may need another surgery to correct the problem. Tell your provider if you have an allergy to seafood. This could cause you to have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye used during this test. Allergic reactionAllergic reactions are sensitivities to substances called allergens that come into contact with the skin, nose, eyes, respiratory tract, and gastroin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Considerations This test should not be performed in people with a:Urinary tract infection Blockage at or below the biopsy site You may have abdominal pain or pain on your side (flank). Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article FlankFlank pain is pain in one side of the body between the upper belly area (abdomen) and the back.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A small amount of blood in the urine is normal the first few times you urinate after the procedure. Your urine may look faintly pink. Report very bloody urine or bleeding that lasts longer than 3 emptyings of the bladder to your provider.Blood in the urineBlood in your urine is called hematuria. The amount may be very small and only detected with urine tests or under a microscope. In other cases, the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Call your provider if you have:Pain that is bad or is not getting better Fever Chills Very bloody urine Bleeding that continues after you have emptied your bladder 3 times Open ReferencesReferencesKallidonis P, Liatsikos E. Urothelial tumors of the upper urinary tract and ureter. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 98.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Cystoscopy & ureteroscopy. www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/cystoscopy-ureteroscopy. Updated July 2021. Accessed August 23, 2022.AllVideoImagesTogKidney anatomy - illustration The kidneys are responsible for removing wastes from the body, regulating electrolyte balance and blood pressure, and the stimulation of red blood cell production.Kidney anatomyillustrationKidney - blood and urine flow - illustration This is the typical appearance of the blood vessels (vasculature) and urine flow pattern in the kidney. The blood vessels are shown in red and the urine flow pattern in yellow.Kidney - blood and urine flowillustrationUreteral biopsy - illustration The cystoscope enters through the urethra, then the bladder, in order for the guidewire to gain access to the ureter.Ureteral biopsyillustrationKidney anatomy - illustration The kidneys are responsible for removing wastes from the body, regulating electrolyte balance and blood pressure, and the stimulation of red blood cell production.Kidney anatomyillustrationKidney - blood and urine flow - illustration This is the typical appearance of the blood vessels (vasculature) and urine flow pattern in the kidney. The blood vessels are shown in red and the urine flow pattern in yellow.Kidney - blood and urine flowillustrationUreteral biopsy - illustration The cystoscope enters through the urethra, then the bladder, in order for the guidewire to gain access to the ureter.Ureteral biopsyillustration Tests for Ureteral retrograde brush biopsy Ureteral retrograde brush biopsyRelated Information Renal(Special Topic)X-ray(Medical Test)Cancer(Condition)Benign(Special Topic) Review Date: 4/10/2022 Reviewed By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 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Ureteral retrograde brush biopsyBiopsy - brush - urinary tract; Retrograde ureteral brush biopsy cytology; Cytology - ureteral retrograde brush biopsyUreteral retrograde brush biopsy is a surgical procedure. During the surgery, your surgeon takes a small sample of tissue from the lining of the kidney or ureter. The ureter is the tube that connects a kidney to the bladder. The tissue is sent to a lab for testing.BiopsyA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article How the Test is Performed This procedure is done using:Regional (spinal) anesthesia SpinalSpinal and epidural anesthesia are procedures that deliver medicines that numb parts of your body to block pain. They are given through shots in or ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article General anesthesiaGeneral anesthesiaGeneral anesthesia is treatment with certain medicines that puts you into a deep sleep so you do not feel pain during surgery. After you receive the...Read Article Now Book Mark Article You will not feel any pain. The test takes about 30 to 60 minutes.A cystoscope is first placed through the urethra into the bladder. A cystoscope is a tube with a camera on the end.CystoscopeCystoscopy is a surgical procedure. This is done to see the inside of the bladder and urethra using a thin, lighted tube.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Then a guide wire is inserted through the cystoscope into the ureter (the tube between the bladder and kidney). The cystoscope is removed. But the guide wire is left in place. A ureteroscope is inserted over or next to the guide wire. The ureteroscope is a longer, thinner telescope with a small camera. The surgeon can see the inside of the ureter or kidney through the camera. A nylon or steel brush is placed through the ureteroscope. The area to be biopsied is rubbed with the brush. Biopsy forceps may be used instead to collect a tissue sample. The brush or biopsy forceps is removed. The tissue is taken from the instrument.The sample is then sent to a pathology lab for analysis. The instrument and guide wire are removed from the body. A small tube or stent may be left in the ureter. This prevents a kidney blockage caused by swelling from the procedure. It is removed later. How to Prepare for the Test You may not be able to eat or drink anything for about 6 hours before the test. Your health care provider will tell you how you need to prepare. How the Test will Feel You may have some mild cramping or discomfort after the test is over. You may have a burning feeling the first few times you empty your bladder. You may also urinate more often or have some blood in your urine for a few days after the procedure. You may have discomfort from the stent that will continue to be in place until it is removed at a later time. Why the Test is Performed This test is used to take a sample of tissue from the kidney or ureter. It is performed when an x-ray or other test has shown a suspicious area (lesion). This can also be done if there is blood or abnormal cells in the urine.x-rayX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results The tissue appears normal. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal results may show cancer cells (carcinoma). This test is often used to tell the difference between cancerous (malignant) and noncancerous (benign) lesions.CarcinomaCancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.Read Article Now Book Mark Article BenignBenign refers to a condition, tumor, or growth that is not cancerous. This means that it does not spread to other parts of the body. It does not in...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks Risks for anesthesia and surgery in general are:Reactions to medicines Breathing problems Bleeding, blood clots InfectionAnother possible risk for this procedure is damage that creates a hole (perforation) in the ureter. This can cause scarring of the ureter and you may need another surgery to correct the problem. Tell your provider if you have an allergy to seafood. This could cause you to have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye used during this test. Allergic reactionAllergic reactions are sensitivities to substances called allergens that come into contact with the skin, nose, eyes, respiratory tract, and gastroin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Considerations This test should not be performed in people with a:Urinary tract infection Blockage at or below the biopsy site You may have abdominal pain or pain on your side (flank). Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article FlankFlank pain is pain in one side of the body between the upper belly area (abdomen) and the back.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A small amount of blood in the urine is normal the first few times you urinate after the procedure. Your urine may look faintly pink. Report very bloody urine or bleeding that lasts longer than 3 emptyings of the bladder to your provider.Blood in the urineBlood in your urine is called hematuria. The amount may be very small and only detected with urine tests or under a microscope. In other cases, the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Call your provider if you have:Pain that is bad or is not getting better Fever Chills Very bloody urine Bleeding that continues after you have emptied your bladder 3 times Open ReferencesReferencesKallidonis P, Liatsikos E. Urothelial tumors of the upper urinary tract and ureter. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 98.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Cystoscopy & ureteroscopy. www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/cystoscopy-ureteroscopy. Updated July 2021. Accessed August 23, 2022.