Which urinary diagnostic procedure is regarded as invasive?

Catheterization is considered an invasive urinary diagnostic procedure because it involves the insertion of a catheter through the urethra into the bladder. This process requires skill and is performed by medical professionals to collect urine samples, relieve urinary retention, or install medication directly into the bladder. Since it penetrates the body’s natural barriers, it carries risks such as infection, bleeding, or injury to the urinary tract, which are associated with invasive techniques.

In contrast, fluoroscopy, a KUB (kidneys, ureters, bladder) series, and ultrasound are non-invasive or minimally invasive diagnostic methods. Fluoroscopy uses X-ray imaging to observe the motion of internal structures in real-time but does not involve any physical intrusion into the body. A KUB series is a type of X-ray that visually assesses the kidney, ureters, and bladder without any invasive measures. Ultrasound employs sound waves to create images of internal organs, including the urinary system, and does so externally without the need for any insertion. These differences highlight why catheterization is classified as invasive while the others are not.