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Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you have symptoms of cystitis, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. In addition to discussing your signs and symptoms and your medical history, your doctor may order these tests:

  • Urine analysis. If it's suspected that you have a bladder infection, your doctor may ask for a urine sample to determine whether bacteria, blood or pus is in your urine.
  • Cystoscopy. Inspection of your bladder with a cystoscope — a thin tube with a light and camera attached that can be inserted through the urethra into your bladder — may help with the diagnosis. Your doctor can also use the cystoscope to remove a small sample of tissue (biopsy) for analysis in the laboratory. This test most likely won't be needed if this is the first time you've had signs or symptoms of cystitis.
  • Imaging tests. Imaging tests usually aren't necessary but in some instances — especially when no evidence of infection is found — they may be helpful. Tests, such as X-ray or ultrasound, may help rule out other potential causes of bladder inflammation, such as a tumor or structural abnormality.
Treatments and drugs Preparing for your appointment
References
  1. Eckert LO, et al. Infections of the lower genital tract: Vulva, vagina, cervix, toxic shock syndrome, HIV infections. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/177168529-3/935265772/1524/147.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50025-X--cesec2_754. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
  2. Infectious disease. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/177168529-3/935265772/1481/590.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2467-5..50054-3--cesec94_3599. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
  3. Hooton TM. Acute cystitis in women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
  4. Interstitial cystitis / Painful bladder syndrome. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/interstitialcystitis/. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
  5. French L, et al. Urinary problems in women. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2009;36:53.
  6. Hooton TM, et al. Recurrent urinary tract infection in women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
  7. Ksycki MF, et al. Nosocomial urinary tract infection. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2009;89:475.
  8. Aliotta PJ, et al. Urinary tract infections. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/177168529-17/935347317/2088/688.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00030-7--s0250_14032. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
  9. Natural history of bacteriuria and pyelonephritis. In: Brenner BM, et al. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3105-5..50036-0--cesec36&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3105-5..50036-0--cesec37&uniq=177168529&isbn=978-1-4160-3105-5&sid=935319858. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
  10. Hemorrhagic cystitis. Chemocare.com. http://www.chemocare.com/managing/hemorrhagic_cystitis.asp. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
  11. Shortliffe LMD. Infection and inflammation of the pediatric genitourinary tract. In: Wein AJ. Wein: Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/177168529-16/935328560/1445/115.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50114-X--cesec78_6964. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
  12. Urinary tract infections. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp050.cfm. Accessed Jan. 5, 2010.
  13. Castle EP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz. Jan. 10, 2010.
DS00285 March 6, 2010

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