Ureteral retrograde brush biopsy cytology

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Kidney anatomy

Kidney - blood and urine flow

Ureteral biopsy

Ureteral retrograde brush biopsy cytology is a diagnostic procedure in which tissue from the kidney or ureter (tube that connects a kidney to the bladder) is removed for examination.

Biopsy - brush - urinary tract; Retrograde ureteral brush biopsy cytology

This procedure is performed using regional (spinal) or general anesthesia. The test takes about 30 to 60 minutes.

A long, thin tube (cystoscope) is first placed through the urethra into the bladder. Then a guide wire is inserted through the cystoscope and into the ureter (the tube between the bladder and kidney).

The cystoscope is removed, leaving the guide wire in place. A small camera used to see the inside of the ureter and kidney (ureteroscope) is then inserted over or next to the guide wire.

A nylon or steel brush is placed through the ureteroscope, and the questionable lesion is rubbed with the brush. Biopsy forceps may be used instead to collect a tissue sample. The brush or biopsy forceps is removed, and the tissue is taken from the instrument and sent to a pathology laboratory for analysis. The instrument and guide wire are completely removed from the body.

Fasting for about 6 hours is generally recommended. Your health care provider will advise you on specific preparations you will need to make.

After the test is over, you may have some mild cramping or discomfort. Some burning may occur the first few times you empty your bladder. You may also see some blood in your urine for a few days after the procedure.

This test is used to obtain a sample of tissue from the kidney (renal pelvis or calyx) or ureter when an x-ray or other test has shown a suspicious area (lesion) or there are suspicious cells in the urine.

Review Date: 10/24/2006
Reviewed By: Marc Greenstein, D.O., North Jersey Center for Urologic Care, Denville, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.