Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

cystoscopy The examination of the ur-
ethraand bladderusing a cystoscope
inserted up the urethra. A cystoscope is
a rigid metal or flexible fibre-optic view-
ing instrument, sometimes with acamera
at the tip (see endoscopy). Cystoscopy is
used to inspect the bladderfor calculi,
bladder tumours, and sites of bleeding
and infection, and to obtain urine sam-
ples from the uretersto look for infection
or tumour cells. Radiopaquedye may be
injected into the ureters via the cysto-
scope during the X-ray procedure of
retrograde pyelography (see urography).
Treatment, including removal of blad-
der tumours or calculi and insertion of
stents(narrow tubes) into a ureter to
relieve an obstruction, can all be per-
formed via the cystoscope.
cystostomyThe surgical creation of a
hole in the bladderusually performed
to drain urinewhen the introduction of
a catheteris inadvisable or impossible.
cystourethrography, micturatingAn
X-rayprocedure for studying the bladder
while urine is passed. Micturating cysto-
urethrography is most commonly used
in young children to detect abnormal
refluxof urine as the bladder empties.
-cyteA suffix that denotes a cell. For ex-
ample, a leukocyte is a white blood cell.
cyto- A prefix that means related to a
cell, as in cytology, the study of cells.
cytokineA protein released by body
cells in response to the presence of dis-
ease-causing organisms such as viruses.

Cytokines (which include interferons)

bind to other cells, activating the im-

mune response (see immune system).

cytologyThe study of individual cells.

Cytology’s main use in medicine is to

detect abnormal cells. It is widely used

to screen for cancer (as in the cervical

smear test) or to confirm a diagnosis of

cancer, and increasingly in antenatal

screening for certain fetal abnormalities

(using amniocentesisor chorionic villus

samplingto obtain the sample of cells).

Examination of cells in a sample of

fluid also helps to determine the cause

of conditions such as pleural effusion

and ascites. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy

of internal organs also involves cytology.

cytomegalovirusOne of the most com-

mon herpesviruses, which causes infected

cells to take on an enlarged appearance.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection may

cause an illness resembling infectious

mononucleosis, but usually produces no

symptoms. People who have impaired

immunity are more seriously infected. A

pregnant woman can transmit the virus

to her unborn child; this can cause birth

defects and brain damage in the child.

cytopathologyThe study of the micro-

scopic appearances of cellsin health

and disease. (See also cytology.)

cytotoxic drugsA group of drugs that

kill or damage abnormal cells; a type of

anticancer drug. Cytotoxic drugs may

also damage or kill healthy cells, espe-

cially those that are multiplying rapidly.

CYSTOSCOPY

CYSTOSCOPY CYTOTOXIC DRUGS

C

Monitor

Fluid to irrigate

bladder Urethra

Bladder

Cystoscope

Illuminated

area

ROUTE OF CYSTOSCOPE

Surgeon

Flexible
cystoscope