Your child is having a VCUG
(Voiding Cystourethrogram)
What is a VCUG?
A Voiding Cystourethrogram or VCUG is a test that looks at
how the bladder and urethra (the tube that takes urine
from the bladder out of the body) is working. It can be
used to see if there is reflux, a condition where the urine
from the bladder goes upward, back into the kidneys.
A VCUG is taken under an X-ray or fluoroscopy using a
contrast material.
Preparing your child for a VCUG
Encourage your child to bring a doll, stuffed animal, toy,
blanket or other comfort item to hold during the exam.
Your child will have to change into a hospital gown and
X-ray camera and TV screen. Your child will lie on a narrow
bed with towels underneath him or her.
remove their bottoms and diapers / underpants before
The nurse will place Lidocaine, a numbing gel, on your
the VCUG.
child’s private area and then clean it with cotton balls
If your daughter is having the VCUG, you may want to
and Betadine, a cold, brown soap.
have her practice making the “frog” or “butterfly wing”
A catheter will be inserted in the urethra, which goes into
leg position at home. This means bending the knees up
the bladder. Tape will then be used to hold the catheter
then relaxing them to the side with her feet touching.
in place.
Boys may keep their legs extended for the VCUG.
The catheter will be connected to liquid contrast that
A non-pregnant caregiver is encouraged to be with your
hangs on a pole nearby. As the contrast material flows
child during the VCUG.
through the catheter into the bladder; X-rays will be taken.
Sedation may be used to help your child relax. This may
make your child feel dizzy and sleepy. They should not
The doctor may ask your child to roll from side to side for
imaging purposes.
remember anything once the medication takes effect,
Once his or her bladder is full, your child will usually have a
but may still react to the catheter insertion.
strong urge to urinate.
What happens during a VCUG?
The doctor will ask your child to urinate while he or she is
on the table and more X-rays are taken. Older children
If your child is receiving sedation, a pediatric sedation
may use a bedpan or urinal.
nurse will be with your child throughout the test.
If your child has difficulty urinating, warm water may be
The VCUG is done in the fluoroscopy room with a large
sprinkled on his or her private area to help.
The catheter will slide out on its own or will be easily
your belly, you may hear it hum or click. You may be
removed by the nurse.
asked to roll from side to side for better pictures.
Due to the personal nature of this exam, your child may
There is a big TV in the room to watch your pictures. Your
be uncomfortable or embarrassed. Please reassure your
bladder, where your potty / pee is kept, will look like a
child that it is the nurse’s job to do this and a loved one
black balloon when it’s full.
will be there the entire time.
This may sound funny, but when you feel like you have to
This sample discussion can help you prepare
your child for a VCUG.
go to the bathroom, they will tell you that you can – right
there on the table. There are towels on the special table
to help catch your potty / pee.
Your doctor wants you to have a VCUG. That is a test that
If you can’t go, the nurse may sprinkle warm water on
looks at how your body goes potty / pee.
your private area to help. When you go potty / pee the
You can bring a favorite doll, stuffed animal, toy or
tube might slide out on its own or the nurse may have to
blanket to hold during the test. At the doctor, you will
help take it out.
change into a special gown and take off your diaper /
After you are done, you can clean up and get dressed in
underpants.
your own clothes.
You will lie on a special table in a room with a square
camera that takes a picture of the inside of your body;
You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about
it will be above your belly. The camera will not touch you
this test. It’s the doctor’s and nurse’s job to find out what is
and it will not hurt, it will only take pictures.
wrong and help you get better. Mom, Dad or someone
else you know can be there the whole time.
The nurse will put gel on your private area, so you will not feel
it as much. Then the nurse will clean your private area with
Need more information?
cotton balls and brown soap. This may feel cold and wet.
For further information on how to prepare your child for a
A small, flexible tube that looks like a spaghetti noodle,
VCUG at Marshfield Clinic, please call the Child Life
will be put in the place where your potty / pee comes out.
department at 715.221.8824 or 715.221.7419 .
You may feel some pressure when the nurse does this.
Mom or Dad or your Child Life specialist will help you
count, blow or take deep breaths when this happens.
If your child is a patient at Ministry Saint Joseph’s
Children’s Hospital and you have any questions about the
VCUG, please ask a nurse to page your Child Life
The nurse will use a piece of tape to keep the tube in
specialist.
place.
For further information on the VCUG, contact your child’s
Your little tube will connect to a bottle of special water. It
doctor.
will go through the tube into your bladder where your
potty / pee is held. When the camera takes pictures of
child life program
611 Saint Joseph Avenue, Marshfield, Wisconsin 54449-1832 715.387.7361 Fax 715.387.7311 ministryhealth.org