Ureteral retrograde brush biopsy

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Kidney anatomy

Kidney - blood and urine flow

Ureteral biopsy

Ureteral retrograde brush biopsy is a procedure in which tissue from the kidney or ureter (tube that connects a kidney to the bladder) is removed for examination.

Biopsy - brush - urinary tract; Retrograde ureteral brush biopsy cytology; Cytology - ureteral regrograde brush biopsy

This procedure is performed using regional (spinal) or general anesthesia. The test takes about 30 - 60 minutes.

A long, thin tube (cystoscope) is first placed through the urethra into the bladder. Then a guide wire is inserted through the cystoscope into the ureter (the tube between the bladder and kidney).

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The cystoscope is removed, leaving the guide wire in place. A small camera used to see the inside of the ureter and kidney (ureteroscope) is then inserted over or next to the guide wire.

A nylon or steel brush is placed through the ureteroscope. The suspicious area is rubbed with the brush. Biopsy forceps may be used instead to collect a tissue sample.

The brush or biopsy forceps is removed. The tissue is taken from the instrument and sent to a pathology laboratory for analysis. The instrument and guide wire are completely removed from the body.

Fasting for about 6 hours is generally recommended. Your health care provider will advise you on specific preparations you will need to make.

After the test is over, you may have some mild cramping or discomfort. Some burning may occur the first few times you empty your bladder. You may also see some blood in your urine for a few days after the procedure.

This test is used to take a sample of tissue from the kidney (renal pelvis or calyx) or ureter. It is performed when an x-ray or other test has shown a suspicious area (lesion), or there are suspicious cells in the urine.

Review Date: 06/11/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).