MCUG (X-ray of the bladder while passing urine)

Aap ke bachay ka urologist MCUG kah sakta hai agar bachay ko baar baar peshab ka infection ho, agar ultrasound ya gurdon ke scan mein gurda phoola hua dikhe ya bladder ko qareeb se dekhna ho, ya agar bladder theek se khali na ho. Ladkon mein yeh urethra ki rukawat dhoondne ke liye bhi istemal hota hai.

Aasaan tasveer. Baayen taraf dye se bhara bladder. Daayen taraf peshab ulta gurde ki taraf jata hua, jise reflux kehte hain.

MCUG reflux dhoondne ke liye sab se mufeed tests mein se aik hai. Reflux ki tafseel vesicoureteric reflux guide mein hai. Bade bhi yeh test karwa sakte hain, lekin yeh bohat kam hota hai.

Test se pehle

Team ko kisi allergy ke baare mein batayein, khaas tor par contrast dye ya iodine ki.
Team ko batayein agar bachay ko abhi peshab ka infection ho. Ilaaj hone tak test mulatvi ho sakta hai.
Antibiotic test se pehle ya baad mein infection ke bachav ke liye di ja sakti hai. Theek waise hi dein jaisa bataya gaya ho.
Bachay ki koi dawa apne taur par band na karein. Team se sawal ho to poochh lein.
Aam tor par roza nahi chahiye. Hospital ki jo hidayat hon un par amal karein.
Bachay ko aasan lafzon mein tayyar karein. Batayein ke doctor X-ray se bladder dekhega aur aap sath hongay. Pasandida khilona ya tasalli wali cheez saath le jayein.

Test ke dauran

Bachcha X-ray mez par letta hai. Jagah saaf ki jati hai, aur aik patli, naram nali (catheter) urethra ke zariye bladder mein narami se rakhi jati hai. Ladke aur ladkiyon dono mein aisa hi kiya jata hai.

Dye nali ke zariye bladder ko bharta hai. Bachay ko peshab ki hajat mehsoos ho sakti hai. X-ray bladder ke bharne ke dauran aur bachay ke peshab karte waqt dobara liye jate hain. Aakhir mein nali nikal di jati hai.

Aam tor par walid kamre mein bachay ke saath reh sakte hain, aur team batati hai ke kya ho raha hai. Yeh test aam tor par bohat dardnak nahi, lekin takleef deh ho sakta hai, aur team test ke dauran bachay ka khayal rakhti hai.

Test ke baad

Zyada tar bachay usi din ghar ja sakte hain.
Aik din tak jalan, ya halka gulabi peshab ho sakta hai.
Pani aur mayeh cheezen dein, aur bachay ko mamool ke mutabiq peshab karne dein.
Jo antibiotic di gayi ho woh batayi gayi hidayat ke mutabiq dein.
Agar bachay ko bukhar ho to fauran team ko batayein.

Mumkin khatre

X-ray ki dose kam hai. Test se thori der ke liye takleef, jalan, aur peshab mein halka khoon aa sakta hai. Peshab ka infection ho sakta hai, is liye aksar antibiotic di jati hai. Dye se allergy bohat kam hoti hai. Team test se pehle in khatron ko samjhayegi.

Aap ke nateeje

Report bladder aur urethra ki shakl batati hai, aur yeh ki peshab gurdon ki taraf wapis jata hai ya nahi. Agar jata hai to report reflux ka darja batati hai.

Ilaaj reflux ke darje, bachay ki umar aur alamaat par munhasir hai. Ikhtiyaraat mein ehtiyati antibiotic, waqt ke saath nigrani, ya kuch hal'aton mein operation shamil hain. Kuch bachon ka reflux waqt ke saath theek ho jata hai. Urologist ikhtiyaraat aur follow-up ka plan samjhayega. Report bachay ke urologist ko dikhayein.

Fauran madad kab lein

Is test ke baad agar bachay mein yeh hon to fauran madad lein:

Bukhar, ya bachcha bohat bimar lagta ho, khaas tor par kaampna ya susti ke saath. Usi din check karwana zaroori hai.
Bachcha peshab nahi kar pata, ya bohat kam karta hai (dekhein bachon ke bladder masail wali guide).
Pait ya kamar mein shadeed dard, ya peshab mein bohat khoon, ya khoon ke lothray.
Jild par daane, chehre ya honton mein sujan, ya saans lene mein dikkat. Fauran qareebi emergency department jayein.

Bachay mein test ke baad bukhar ko usi din check karwana chahiye, chahe halka lage.

Aam sawalaat

Kya test mere bachay ko dardnak lagega?

Aam tor par takleef deta hai, bohat dardnak nahi. Team bachay ko sakoon mein rakhne ki koshish karti hai, aur aap ek saath reh sakte hain.

Nali kyun zaroori hai?

Nali dye ko bladder mein bharne deti hai, taake X-ray tasveer mein bladder aur peshab ka gurdon ki taraf wapis jana dikh sakay.

Kya X-ray mere bachay ke liye mehfooz hai?

Dose kam hai, aur yeh test tab tajweez kiya jata hai jab ilaaj ki mansooba bandi ke liye maloomat zaroori ho. Koi fikr ho to team se poochhein.

Kya bachay ko khana peena band karna parega?

Aam tor par nahi. Hospital ki hidayat par amal karein.

Kya yeh test sirf ladkon ke liye hai?

Nahi. Yeh ladkon aur ladkiyon dono ke liye hai, aur team aap ke bachay ke liye behtareen tareeqa samjhayegi.

Kya bachay ko yeh test dobara karwana parega?

Kabhi kabhi, waqt ke saath tabdeeli dekhne ke liye. Urologist follow-up ka plan batayega.

Kya main kamre mein reh sakta hoon?

Aam tor par haan. Team batayegi ke kahan khade hona hai, taake X-ray se aap mehfooz rahen.

What it is and why it is done

Your child's urologist may ask for an MCUG if your child has repeated urine infections, if an ultrasound or kidney scan has shown a swollen kidney or a bladder that needs a closer look, or if the bladder does not empty properly. In boys, it can also look for a blockage in the urethra.

Simple picture. On the left, the bladder filled with dye through a thin tube. On the right, urine flowing back up from the bladder to the kidney, called reflux.

The MCUG is one of the most useful tests for finding reflux. Reflux is explained in the vesicoureteric reflux guide. Adults can also have this test, but it is much less common.

Before the test

Tell the team about any allergy, especially to contrast dye or iodine.
Tell the team if your child has a urine infection now. The test may be postponed until it has been treated.
Antibiotics may be given before or after the test to prevent infection. Give them exactly as you are told.
Do not stop any medicine on your child's own. Ask the team if you have questions.
Fasting is not usually needed. Follow any instructions your hospital gives you.
Prepare your child in simple words. Tell them that the doctor will look at their bladder with an X-ray and that you will be with them. A favourite toy or comforter helps.

During the test

Your child lies on an X-ray table. The area is cleaned, and a thin, soft tube (catheter) is gently placed into the bladder through the urethra. This is done for both boys and girls.

Dye fills the bladder through the tube. Your child may feel that they need to pass urine. X-rays are taken while the bladder fills and again while your child passes urine. The tube is removed at the end.

Usually a parent can stay with the child in the room, and the team will explain what they are doing. The test is not usually very painful, but it can be uncomfortable, and the team will look after your child during it.

After the test

Most children can go home the same day.
Your child may have some burning, or a little pink urine, for a day or so.
Give plenty of fluids, and let your child pass urine normally.
Give any antibiotics you have been given, as you are told.
Tell the team straight away if your child has a fever.

Possible risks

The X-ray dose is low. The test can cause a short period of discomfort or burning, and a little blood in the urine. A urine infection can follow, so antibiotics are often given. Allergic reactions to the dye are rare. The team will explain these risks before the test.

Your results

The report describes the shape of the bladder and urethra, and whether urine flows back up to the kidneys. If it does, the report grades how far the reflux goes.

Treatment depends on the grade of reflux, your child's age and their symptoms. Options include preventive antibiotics, monitoring over time, or an operation in some cases. Some children's reflux settles over time. Your urologist will explain the options and the follow-up plan. Please take the report to your child's urologist.

When to seek urgent help

Please seek urgent help for your child after this test if any of these happen:

A fever, or your child seems very unwell, especially with shivering or drowsiness. This needs to be checked the same day.
Your child cannot pass urine, or passes very little (see the children's bladder problems guide).
Severe tummy or back pain, or heavy bleeding or clots in the urine.
A rash, swelling of the face or lips, or difficulty breathing. Go to the nearest emergency department at once.

For a child, a fever after this test should always be checked the same day, even if it seems mild.

Common questions

Does the test hurt my child?

It is usually uncomfortable rather than very painful. The team does everything they can to keep your child calm, and you can stay with them.

Why does my child need a tube?

The tube lets the dye fill the bladder so the X-ray pictures can show the bladder and any flow back up to the kidneys.

Is the X-ray safe for my child?

The dose is low, and the test is recommended only when the information is needed to plan care. Please ask the team if you have any worry.

Does my child need to stop eating or drinking?

Usually not. Follow the instructions your hospital gives you.

Is the test only for boys?

No. It works for boys and girls, and the team will explain the best approach for your child.

Will my child need this test again?

Sometimes, to check how things are changing over time. Your urologist will tell you the follow-up plan.

Can I stay in the room?

Usually yes. The team will explain what happens and where you should stand, so that you are safe from the X-ray.

Written and reviewed by Dr Mudassir Hussain, Consultant Urologist, FRCS (Urol) Eng, FCPS (Urol) Pak

Last reviewed: October 2026 Next review due: October 2028

Further reading from trusted organisations (free, in English):Mazeed parhne ke liye, mustanad idaaron ki taraf se (muft, angrezi mein):
MedlinePlus: Voiding cystourethrogram

This guide gives general information and is not a substitute for advice from the doctor treating you.

Yeh guide aam maloomat deti hai aur aap ka ilaaj karne wale doctor ke mashwaray ka mutabadil nahi hai.

Yeh test kya hai aur kyun kiya jata hai