•  
  •  

Cystometrogram for Spinal Cord Injury

A cystometrogram tests the pressure inside the bladder. It helps your doctor find out whether your bladder is contracting (squeezing) on its own and if so, how well. It also measures how much urine your bladder can hold. Your doctor uses this information to help figure out the correct bladder management program for your spinal cord injury.

A small catheter is placed in your bladder and connected to a machine. The machine will insert water or carbon dioxide gas into your bladder. You will tell your doctor when you can feel your bladder beginning to fill or other bladder pressure. Your doctor will also want to know when you feel you have to urinate and when you can no longer "hold it." At the same time, your bladder pressure and how much your bladder can hold is measured and put on a graph.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Nancy Greenwald, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Last Revised February 16, 2011

Last Revised: February 16, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & Nancy Greenwald, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more visit Healthwise.org

© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.