Overview

A loopogram is a type of X-ray that looks at how urine leaves your body after you’ve had your bladder removed. We do it to test that your urostomy (ileal conduit) and surrounding organs are working well.

Loopograms use an X-ray method called fluoroscopic imaging. This shows us images in real time, like a live video.

We’ll look at your:

• kidneys
• ureters (the tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder)
• ileum (the part of your bowel that the ureters are attached to)
• stoma (the opening in the skin of your tummy)

Benefits of a loopogram

You might have a loopogram if you have problems with your urine flow. You might have:

• tummy pain
• blood in your urine
• smelly urine
• less urine than usual in your stoma bag

A loopogram helps your doctor to diagnose your condition and recommend which treatments are best for you.

Risks of a loopogram

A loopogram uses X-rays, which are a type of radiation called ionising radiation. The amount of radiation used in medical X-rays is low and the risks are small.

We weigh up the benefits and risks of doing a loopogram before we recommend one for you. Talk to us if you have any questions or concerns.

The radiographer doing your X-ray will make sure the amount of radiation is kept as low as possible.

Radiation and pregnancy

Radiation can be harmful for an unborn baby.

Before your loopogram, tell us if you’re pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant. We cannot do any procedures that involve radiation if you’re pregnant.

If you do not use contraception, try to avoid sex from the first day of your period until your appointment. If you have unprotected sex before your appointment, contact us to reschedule your appointment so that it takes place within the first 10 days of your period. This helps to make sure you are not pregnant during your loopogram.

If you use contraception, you can have sex as usual.

You’ll be asked to sign a form about your pregnancy risks before your loopogram.

Giving your permission (consent)

We want to involve you in decisions about your care and treatment. If you decide to have the procedure or treatment, we’ll ask you to sign a consent form. This says that you understand what’s involved and agree to have the treatment.

Read more about our consent process.

Before the procedure

A loopogram uses a substance called a contrast agent. Contrast agents make X-ray images show up more clearly so we can see your internal organs better.

We use a contrast agent that contains iodine, which some people are allergic to.

We’ll remove your stoma bag during the loopogram.

Remember to bring a spare stoma bag with you.

If you take any medicines, keep taking them as normal.

Plan your journey and make sure you arrive on time for your appointment.

During the procedure

When you get to hospital, you’ll meet the team who will care for you during your procedure. Loopograms are done by:

• a radiologist (a doctor who uses X-rays to diagnose and treat illnesses)
• a radiographer (a healthcare professional that takes the images)

Getting ready

We’ll ask you to take off your clothes and put on a hospital gown. You can do this in a changing room.

Take off any:

• jewellery
• dentures
• glasses
• metal accessories

Tell your radiologist about:

• any medicines you’re taking
• any allergies you have
• your recent illnesses
• any other medical conditions

Inserting a catheter for the contrast agent

We might need to remove your stoma bag or cut a small hole in it. We’ll clean the stoma area and gently insert a thin tube (catheter) into your stoma. You might feel the catheter in your stoma, but this is usually not painful. Your stoma might get irritated or bleed slightly.

Tell the radiologist or radiographer if you have any concerns.

Taking X-ray images

We’ll put the contrast agent into your body through the catheter. As the contrast flows into your body, we’ll take some X-ray images.

We might ask you to change position so we can take images from different angles. The X-ray equipment will also move around you so we can get the best images we can.

Removing the catheter

Once we’ve taken all the X-ray images we need, we’ll drain the contrast agent from your body, remove the catheter and clean your stoma. We’ll help you put on the new stoma bag that you brought with you.

Finishing the procedure

A loopogram usually takes about 20 minutes. You might have to wait a few minutes while we check the images. It’s important we make sure the images show everything we need to see.

After the procedure

You might see some of the contrast agent drain back into your stoma bag after the procedure. This is normal.

You can leave hospital after your loopogram is done.

Most people do not get any side effects after a loopogram. If you feel unwell after leaving hospital, contact the doctor who referred you or a GP.

Getting your results

Your radiologist will examine your loopogram images and write a report about what they see. We’ll send this to the doctor who referred you for the loopogram. Your doctor will discuss the results with you and talk about any treatment you might need.

You should already have a follow-up appointment scheduled with the doctor who referred you. If not, contact them to arrange one.