The physicians and staff of the Pediatric Urology Group evaluate and treat your child’s pediatric urological condition with the expertise of a skilled professional and the compassion of a caring parent.
Posterior Urethral Valves (PUV) Repair
Pyeloplasty, daVinci Robotic Assisted
Undescended Testis (Orchiopexy)
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Treatment
Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) Treatment
The hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine.
A thin flexible hollow tube used to drain fluids from body cavities; in this case, passed into the bladder through the urethra to draw off urine.
Improper functioning of the nerves that carry messages from the bladder to the brain and from the brain to the bladder muscles.
The canal through which urine is discharged from the bladder.
The muscular mechanism that controls the retention and release of urine from the bladder. The internal sphincter is automatically controlled by the brain, while the external sphincter can be voluntarily controlled.
This type of testing may be performed when your physician suspects or has diagnosed conditions including exstrophy, neurogenic bladder, posterior urethral valves, spinal cord trauma, some types of UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections) and voiding dysfunction.
The test is used to assess how the bladder and urethral sphincter function in relationship to the brain and spinal cord when the bladder fills and empties. A nurse practitioner, nurse or other healthcare provider will be with you and your child throughout the process.
Although mildly uncomfortable, this painless procedure may have up to five different elements, depending on your child’s needs.
Urinary Flow Rate (Uroflow). The child (if toilet trained) will urinate into a special, private toilet that measures both the total volume of urine and the second by second flow.
Catheterization. A catheter is gently inserted into the child’s urethra until it reaches the bladder and drains any remaining urine. It is loosely taped to prevent it from falling out.
Urethral Pressure Profile (UPP). The catheter is slowly drawn through the urethra while a computer measures pressures in the urethra.
Cystometrogram (CMG). Using the catheter, the bladder is filled with warm saltwater. After the bladder is full, your child will be instructed to urinate (with the catheter in place) so that pressures can be measured and recorded.
Electromyogram (EMG). This test is typically performed if a neurological cause (spinal trauma, spina bifida, etc.) is suspected for your child’s condition. During this procedure, an electrode is placed into the external urinary sphincter muscle. The healthcare provider records the muscles responses as the bladder is filled and emptied.
Because it is important for your child to not have a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) at the time of the test, he or she will be asked to provide a urine sample about one week ahead of time to test for a UTI.
Prior to the procedure, it is wise to explain in very general terms what your child will be expected to do and to emphasize the importance of their cooperation. On the day of the procedure, your child (if toilet trained) should arrive with a relatively full bladder.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. We want to make you and your child as comfortable as possible.