Diagnostic Testing & Imaging

Diagnostic Imaging

The following imaging services are offered on-site at our Lake Barrington office: Computed Tomography (CT or CAT scan), X-ray imaging, and Ultrasound.  The benefits of these in office services include timely diagnosis and convenience for our patients.

X-ray

On-site X-ray is most often used to obtain KUB films (Kidney, Ureter, Bladder) the same day as a patient’s office visit to diagnose or follow kidney stone disease.   CUC is also able to perform Cystograms, if needed, for prostatectomy patients.  The X-ray is often taken right before the patient is brought into the examination room to see the urologist, making results immediately available for review.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging is offered in our Lake Barrington office by certified ultrasound technologists.  Ultrasound uses painless sound waves to image parts of the body-without any radiation.  We perform ultrasound of the kidneys, bladder, scrotum/testicles, and prostate.

CT Scan

CT scan (or CAT scan) is a noninvasive test that creates three-dimensional images of the body from X-rays taken at different angles.  Urologists most often use CT scans to image the organs of the abdomen and pelvis.  This can be done to investigate the cause for blood in the urine, workup frequent urinary infections, detect kidney stones, and evaluate for prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers.  Some CT scans require oral or IV contrast and some do not.

We perform CT scans at our ICACTL certified Lake Barrington office with a licensed CT technologist.  Preliminary results may be immediately available and many patients save time by seeing their physician right after their scan to review it.  A board-certified radiologist reviews all studies.  We can provide a copy of the scan for a patient’s personal records and to share with his or her other physicians.

Diagnostic Testing

Urodynamics

Urodynamics are a series of tests performed to assess the bladder’s ability to store and pass urine.  CUC has the latest testing equipment and highly trained and professional staff to perform the studies.

The patient is asked to come to the test with a full bladder, and he or she will be asked to urinate into a funnel device that measures the strength and pattern of the stream (called Uroflow).  Next, a small, flexible tube is placed into the bladder to drain it out.  A tiny tube is placed in the rectum to measure pressures during the test, and small, sticky patches (called EMG) are placed around the rectum and perineum to measure the electrical activity of certain muscles.  The bladder is then filled and different pressures and sensations recorded.  The patient is then asked to urinate again, this time around the catheters.

Once testing is completed, a CUC urologist reviews the results, and an individualized treatment plan is formulated for the patient.

Pathology

Comprehensive Urologic Care offers a full-service pathology laboratory at our Lake Barrington location.  All specimen processing is done on-site, where a board-certified pathologist with extensive training in urologic pathology reviews all specimens.  Our pathology lab improves patient care by allowing for quick turn-around times and easier coordination of care and communication between the pathologist and your treating urologist.  Strict quality control measures are in place.

Laboratory

Our trained staff perform blood draws on-site.  Many of our patients prefer to have any necessary labs drawn at our office prior to their next appointment so that their test results are readily available and accessible to their CUC urologist.  PSA, Testosterone, basic metabolic panel, and complete blood count are just some of the tests frequently performed.  We also process urine analyses and urine cultures.  Urine cultures take 48 hours to grow bacteria, so results are not immediately available.

Kidney Stone Risk Assessment

Kidney stone disease is on the rise, but many causes and risk factors for kidney stones can be addressed with diet and/or medications.  CUC offers a full kidney stone risk assessment to all kidney stone patients.  In conjunction with an outside laboratory, we offer urine and blood testing as well as analysis of any passed or retrieved stones.   Once test results have been reviewed, your CUC Urologist will determine which measures will work best for you to help prevent this often-painful condition from recurring.