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
recommend certain tests, such as:

Urine analysis. For a suspected bladder infection, your doctor may ask for a
urine sample to determine whether bacteria, blood or pus is in your urine. If so,
he or she may request a urine bacterial culture.

Cystoscopy. During this test, your doctor inserts a cystoscope a thin tube
with a light and camera attached through the urethra into your bladder to
view your urinary tract for signs of disease.
Using the cystoscope, your doctor can also remove a small sample of tissue
(biopsy) for lab analysis. But this test most likely won't be needed if this is the
first time you've had signs or symptoms of cystitis.

Imaging. An imaging test usually isn't needed, but in some instances

especially when no evidence of infection is found imaging may be helpful.
For example, an X-ray or ultrasound may help your doctor discover other
potential causes of bladder inflammation, such as a tumor or structural
abnormality.

Diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic Staff
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The following may be helpful in diagnosing interstitial cystitis:

Medical history and bladder diary. Your doctor will ask you to describe your
symptoms and may ask you to keep a bladder diary, recording the volume of
fluids you drink and the volume of urine you pass.

Pelvic exam. During a pelvic exam, your doctor examines your external
genitals, vagina and cervix and feels your abdomen to assess your internal pelvic
organs. Your doctor may also examine your anus and rectum.

Urine test. A sample of your urine is analyzed for signs of a urinary tract
infection.

Cystoscopy. Your doctor inserts a thin tube with a tiny camera (cystoscope)
through the urethra, showing the lining of your bladder. Your doctor may also
inject liquid into your bladder to measure your bladder capacity. Your doctor

may perform this procedure, known as hydrodistention, after you've been

numbed with an anesthetic medication to make you more comfortable.

Biopsy. During cystoscopy under anesthesia, your doctor may remove a sample
of tissue (biopsy) from the bladder and the urethra for examination under a
microscope. This is to check for bladder cancer and other rare causes of bladder
pain.

Urine cytology. Your doctor collects a urine sample and examines the cells to
help rule out cancer.

Potassium sensitivity test. Your doctor places (instills) two solutions water
and potassium chloride into your bladder, one at a time. You're asked to rate
on a scale of 0 to 5 the pain and urgency you feel after each solution is instilled.
If you feel noticeably more pain or urgency with the potassium solution than
with the water, your doctor may diagnose interstitial cystitis. People with normal
bladders can't tell the difference between the two solutions.