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X-Ray
A loopogram is a contrast x-ray study of an ileal conduit, a section of bowel that a surgeon repurposes to carry urine out to a stoma on the abdomen after the bladder is removed. A catheter is placed into the stoma opening, and contrast is injected backward into the conduit while x-rays are taken. Digital refers to the digital fluoroscopy equipment used to capture the images rather than older film-based methods. The study checks for leaks at the surgical connections, narrowing where the ureters join the conduit, and reflux of contrast back up toward the kidneys. It's used as follow-up after urinary diversion surgery, particularly when there's a concern about the connection healing properly.
The study shows whether contrast stays contained within the conduit or leaks out at a surgical join, and whether it backs up into one or both ureters toward the kidneys. It also outlines the conduit's shape and any narrowing near the ureteral connections. These findings guide whether further treatment, such as a stent or repeat surgery, is needed.
A loopogram is built around the fact that, after a bladder is removed, urine no longer collects in one place the way it used to. Instead, it drains continuously through an ileal conduit, a short segment of bowel connected to both ureters at one end and to a stoma on the skin at the other. Because this connection is entirely surgical, checking that it's watertight and open is different from checking a natural bladder.
A catheter is placed into the stoma, the opening on the abdomen, and contrast is pushed backward through the conduit toward the ureters, the reverse of urine's normal downhill flow. This retrograde approach is the only practical way to reach the conduit and ureteral connections from outside the body.
Contrast escaping outside the conduit's outline points to a leak at one of the surgical connections, which needs prompt attention. A narrowing where a ureter joins the conduit can back urine up toward the kidney over time even without an obvious leak, so the study also looks for reflux of contrast up either ureter.
Loopograms are used as planned follow-up after urinary diversion surgery and when symptoms, such as new flank pain or a change in stoma drainage, raise concern about how the conduit is functioning.
It's a short segment of bowel a surgeon connects to both ureters and to an opening on the abdomen, called a stoma, to carry urine out of the body after the bladder is removed. A loopogram checks how well this surgical connection is working.
A thin catheter is placed into the stoma opening on your abdomen, and contrast is injected backward through it into the conduit. This is done without needing an incision, since the stoma is already an external opening.
Most people feel mild pressure as the conduit fills with contrast, rather than sharp pain. Tell the radiologist if you feel significant discomfort during the study.
It refers to the digital fluoroscopy equipment used to capture the x-ray images in real time, rather than the type of contrast or the tract being studied.
This page is general information about the test, not medical advice. Your own report's reference ranges apply — please discuss your results with your doctor.
A leak points to a gap at one of the surgical connections between the ureters and the conduit, which usually needs further evaluation or treatment. Your doctor will explain what it means for your specific surgery.
Timing depends on your surgeon's plan and how your recovery is going. Ask your doctor or the centre when a loopogram is appropriate in your case.
Yes, since contrast can reflux up the ureters toward the kidneys during the study, it can also show whether that backward flow is affecting one or both kidneys.