Role Of Urodynamics Research Articles

Role of urodynamics in diagnosing tethered cord in spina bifida patients

Materials and methods Between 2000 and 2008 approximately 400 SBA patients, under the age of 18 years, were followed. In 70 cases secondary TC was suspected, based on a variety of symptoms: visible back anomalies, loss of strength, changes in lower urinary tract function, increase in scoliosis or a combination of these. Patients had a one day check-up by a multidisciplinary team, consisting of neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, neurosurgeon, physical therapist and urologist. Imaging (MRI) and urodynamic studies were done on the same day. At the end of the day the results were evaluated and a decision was made whether or not to operate for TC.

UP-1.19: The role of urodynamics in the management of children's vesicoureteric reflux

UP-1.19: The role of urodynamics in the management of children's vesicoureteric reflux

Urodynamics in the Evaluation of Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a clinical syndrome characterized by urinary urgency, frequency, and nocturia with or without accompanying urinary incontinence. Thus, using this operational definition based on symptoms at presentation, urodynamic testing is not required for an initial diagnosis of OAB. An increasing body of evidence suggests that, although there is a relationship between the urodynamic finding of detrusor overactivity and OAB, these are quite separate findings, and successful response to nonsurgical and surgical interventions for OAB does not depend on finding detrusor overactivity on urodynamic testing. The role of urodynamics in the setting of OAB is not well defined at present, but there are several clinical scenarios where such testing may be useful. However, at this time, the evidence to support their routine use in patients with OAB is limited.

Measuring bladder sensation: A clinical and laboratory approach

Urgency, the primary symptom of overactive bladder (OAB), is thought to be central in driving all other symptoms of OAB, including frequency, nocturia, and urge urinary incontinence. Although it is defined by the International Continence Society as a sudden compelling desire to pass urine that is difficult to defer, it remains difficult to describe and measure. Several self-administered metrics have been developed to measure urgency and have been used to demonstrate the efficacy of antimuscarinic agents in the treatment of OAB. Urodynamics measures bladder sensation during cystometry, but its role in measuring urgency has not been well defined. This review discusses scales commonly used to measure urgency and the role of urodynamics in its assessment.

Bladder Sensation Measures and Overactive Bladder

We performed a prospective multicomponent study to determine whether subjective and objective bladder sensation instruments may provide data on sensory dysfunction in patients with overactive bladder. We evaluated 70 prospectively enrolled patients with urodynamics and questionnaires on validated urgency (Urgency Perception Score), general overactive bladder (Urogenital Distress Inventory) and quality of life (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire). We first sought a correlation between sensory specific (Urgency Perception Score) and quality of life questionnaire scores. We then assessed a correlation between sensory questionnaire scores and urodynamic variables, exploring the hypothesis that certain urodynamic parameters may be bladder sensation measures. We evaluated 2 urodynamic derivatives (first sensation ratio and bladder urgency velocity) to increase sensory finding discrimination. We noted a moderate correlation between the Urgency Perception Score (0.56) and the Urogenital Distress Inventory (0.74) vs the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (each p <0.01). A weak negative correlation was seen between Urgency Perception Score and bladder capacity (-0.25, p <0.05). No correlation was noted for the other urodynamics parameters. First sensation ratio and bladder urgency velocity statistically significantly correlated with the Urgency Perception Score despite the lesser or absent correlation associated with the individual components of these derivatives. Bladder sensation questionnaires may be valuable to identify patients with sensory dysfunction and provide additional data not obtained in generalized symptom questionnaires. Urodynamic variables correlated with bladder sensation questionnaire scores and may be an objective method to assess sensory dysfunction.

Urodynamics to guide surgical therapy in LUTS/BPH

Our understanding of the disease process of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)/benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has improved over the past few years. Furthermore, medical and surgical (including minimally invasive surgery) therapeutic options for treating LUTS/BPH are now available. With these advances we are faced with choosing the most appropriate therapy/therapies for individual patients. Ideally, we could accurately predict outcomes of the therapeutic options to maximize the chance for success, minimize the potential side effects and cost of failed therapies, and improve patient/doctor satisfaction. Noninvasive tests, symptom scores, and invasive urodynamics all have been used to diagnose and manage LUTS/BPH. Although they are somewhat invasive, in some settings, pressure-flow urodynamic studies may provide more useful information in selecting patients best suited for specific treatment modalities. This article reviews the literature with the goal of better defining the role of urodynamics in the nonmedical treatment of LUTS/BPH.

Current management of overactive bladder

The concept of overactive bladder has helped us address the problem of urgency and urge incontinence from a symptomatic perspective. In this review, we provide a critical summary of clinically relevant recent publications, focusing in particular on advances in our understanding of assessment methods and therapeutic interventions for overactive bladder in women. According to current definitions, the prevalence of overactive bladder in western nations is now estimated as 13.0%. Although the prevalence increases with age, the symptoms of overactive bladder may follow a relapsing and remitting course. There has been a proliferation of validated symptom and quality of life measures and increasing sophistication in the analysis of bladder diaries. The role of urodynamics in the evaluation of urgency remains uncertain, with many trials showing limited benefit as a preoperative investigation. Fluid restriction and bladder retraining remain important first-line interventions. Many new anticholinergic medications have been licensed, with limited benefits compared with existing preparations. Intravesical botulinum toxin has become a popular alternative for patients who fail oral therapies. Although there have been few important therapeutic innovations, recent publications have led to greater sophistication in assessment methods and a clearer understanding of the role of existing interventions.

Urodynamic Measures Do Not Predict Stress Continence Outcomes After Surgery for Stress Urinary Incontinence in Selected Women

We determined the prognostic value of preoperative urodynamic results in patients with stress urinary incontinence. In a 9-center surgical trial, women with stress urinary incontinence were randomized to a Burch or pubovaginal sling procedure. Women were eligible for the study if they had predominant stress urinary incontinence symptoms, a positive cough stress test, a bladder capacity more than 200 ml and urethral hypermobility. Preoperative free uroflowmetry, filling cystometry and pressure flow studies were performed in all. Overall treatment success required a negative pad test, no urinary incontinence on a 3-day diary, a negative stress test, no self-reported stress urinary incontinence symptoms and no re-treatment for stress urinary incontinence. Stress specific success required all of the last 3 criteria. We examined urodynamic measures, and whether the presence of urodynamic stress incontinence, the presence of detrusor overactivity and Valsalva leak point pressure would predict surgical success. Subjects with urodynamic stress incontinence had a 2-fold greater odds of overall success when compared with the No urodynamic stress incontinence group, but this trend did not quite reach statistical significance (OR 2.26; 95% C.I. 0.99, 5.17). Odds of stress specific success did not differ by urodynamic stress incontinence status. Subjects with detrusor overactivity did not have significantly worse success rates. Stratifying by treatment group, there was no difference in mean Valsalva leak point pressure values between surgical successes and failures. We found a nearly statistically significant trend that women with urodynamic stress incontinence are twice as likely to have a successful overall outcome from surgical management of stress urinary incontinence as women without urodynamic stress incontinence. The level of Valsalva leak point pressure and the presence of detrusor overactivity do not predict the success outcomes after the Burch or autologous fascia sling procedures in women with pure or predominant stress urinary incontinence. The impact of urodynamic studies on surgical outcomes needs further investigation.

Clinical utility of urodynamics for postprostatectomy incontinence

Understanding the role of urodynamics in postprostatectomy incontinence helps urologic clinicians determine optimal treatment choices. The most common urodynamic diagnosis in men with leakage after prostatectomy is urodynamic stress incontinence usually due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency. Findings of detrusor overactivity and bladder outlet obstruction often coexist. Only urodynamics with pressure-flow study allow accurate diagnosis of physiologic bladder outlet obstruction. Simultaneous fluoroscopy may be useful in further defining or diagnosing clinically significant obstruction. By employing specific urodynamic techniques, one avoids misdiagnosis of incontinence and overdiagnosis of obstruction. Decreased bladder compliance is rare in recent urodynamic studies. With the advent of new surgical techniques for postprostatectomy incontinence such as male perineal and transobturator slings, it is imperative to understand bladder, sphincter, and bladder outlet function. Underlying pathologic conditions may be caused by the treatment of prostate cancer, as well as the treatment of incontinence itself.

Urodynamics and stress urinary incontinence: the dark side of a gold standard

Urodynamic studies are considered the gold standard for the assessment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), although the extent to which it influences treatment outcomes is controversial. According to a questionnaire mailed to gynecologists in five developed countries, almost 50% of them would consider doing surgery for non-complex stress urinary incontinence without performing urodynamic studies, with the exception of the UK [1]. A recent systematic review challenged this gold standard, maintaining that there is no evidence that performing urodynamics does improve the outcome of anti-incontinence procedures [2]. Hence we believe that at this point in time there is a need for prospective randomized clinical trials to define the role of urodynamics in the decision-making process to determine the best treatment for urinary incontinence in each patient. We also wish to raise a number of specific questions:

Urodynamics: What to do and when is it clinically necessary?

The role of urodynamics in the evaluation and treatment of men with lower urinary tract symptoms is not well defined. Symptoms do not correlate very well with urodynamic findings, but patients with prostatic obstruction fare better after ablative prostatic surgery than those with impaired detrusor contractility. The only proven method for distinguishing between the two is urodynamics, ie, the detrusor pressure/uroflow study. This article reviews urodynamic techniques and the literature pertaining to urodynamics, along with their clinical utility in benign prostatic hyperplasia. The role of urodynamics in clinical practice is discussed as well.

Male overactive bladder: The role of urodynamics and anticholinergics

Millions of men suffer from overactive bladder and lower urinary tract symptoms. The adverse effects on quality of life and costs associated with the condition have been well described. In men, the pathophysiology of lower urinary tract symptoms may be from a number of causes including bladder outlet obstruction, detrusor overactivity, or both. Increasing data and clinical experience support the efficacy and safety of anticholinergics in men; the rate of urinary retention has been equal to that of placebo in short-term studies. Urodynamics play a vital role in defining the bladder and/or outlet dysfunction and help direct one's therapy.

The impact of detrusor overactivity on the management of stress urinary incontinence in women

The presence of overactive bladder symptoms, urodynamic detrusor overactivity, and urge incontinence can complicate the diagnosis and management of stress urinary incontinence in women. The exact pathophysiology of mixed incontinence is not well characterized; in some patients, the stress and urge etiology may be pathologically linked. The role of urodynamics in evaluating patients with mixed incontinence remains controversial. Conservative therapies, such as bladder training, pelvic floor exercise, biofeedback, and electrical stimulation, offer moderate success in women with mixed incontinence. Surgery (colposuspension, bladder neck pubovaginal slings, and midurethral slings) offers excellent subjective and objective cure rates in patients with mixed incontinence. Preoperative detrusor overactivity is cured consistently 50%of the time with colposuspension and slings. Overall, the presence of preoperative detrusor overactivity does not appear to significantly worsen the outcome of conservative and surgical treatments for stress urinary incontinence in women.

The role of urodynamics in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in women

Urodynamic investigation was developed as an extension of patient history and physical examination in order to reveal the pathology of a patient's complaints. Much progress in standardizing definitions and procedures has been made in recent years. In particular, stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder can be differentiated with urodynamics. The developed parameters, however, cannot distinguish the various types of stress urinary incontinence. Moreover the definition and diagnosis of voiding dysfunction is not clear. Finally our understanding of bladder sensations and the impact on voiding behaviour has only started to emerge. This review is about last year's publications that focus on urodynamics and lower urinary tract symptoms in women. Defining bladder outlet obstruction is based on voiding pressure, urinary flow speed and residual urine but standardization is lacking. Urodynamics to reveal occult stress urinary incontinence in patients with pelvic organ prolapse needs standardization of the reducing manoeuvres. The quest for urodynamic tools for distinguishing intrinsic sphincter deficiency from urethral hypermobility continues. Urodynamics are still not good enough to discriminate between treatment options for stress urinary incontinence. The use of urodynamics in overactive bladder is developing and has elicited new findings. Voiding habit seems to be independent from bladder sensations. Also bladder sensations appear to be imperfectly correlated with bladder filling. Even bladder volumes do not predict entirely bladder fullness sensations. In order to use urodynamics as a proper clinical tool, defining subtypes of stress urinary incontinence and standardization of urodynamics in pelvic organ prolapse and bladder outlet obstruction in women is needed.

Urodynamics in the era of tension-free slings: defining the role.

The role of urodynamics in the routine preoperative evaluation of women with stress urinary incontinence is controversial. The introduction of tension-free mid-urethral sling procedures has created a new paradigm in surgical management. The capability of performing these procedures on an ambulatory basis has created more uncertainty about the use of urodynamic testing. The long-term results of these procedures in patients with intrinsic sphincteric deficiency, mixed incontinence, and voiding dysfunction are not clearly known. This article reviews the mechanism of action and results of tension-free slings and proposes a rational role for urodynamic testing in patients considered for these procedures.

Neurogenic Bladder: Past, Present, and Future

Summary: The foundation of the management of neuragenie bladder can be attributed to a pioneer in spinal cord injury medicine. Dr. Donald Munro, a neurosurgeon, who also had experience in urologic surgery, established the firstSpinal Cord lnjury Service of 1 0 beds in the Boston Cityhospital in the 1 930s. He later became adviser to the US Army and the Veterans Administration (VA). On his recommendation, paraplegic centers were created in US army hospitals and later in the VA hospitals from 1 943 to 1945. This article reviews the evolution of the management of neuragenie bladder in patients with spinal cord injuries from the past century to the present. The role of urodynamics in defining neurologic lesions is critical to the appropriate management of the voiding dysfunction. Key advances, such as the diagnosis of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD), recognition of its association with autonomic dysreflexia, and its definitive management, have been emphasized. The role of transrectallinear array sonography using a rectal probe was found useful for defining bladder outlet dysfunction du ring urodynamics. lt also helped to recognize secondary bladder neck obstruction and diagnose false passages in the urethra. Clean technique intermittent catheterization (IC) was evaluated and recommended. ln about 28'7'o patients with DSD that led to secondary bladder neck obstruction, a consequence of IC was reported. Transurethrallaser sphincterotomy (TURS) was first reported by mein 1 991, and later, durable 7 -yearfollow-up results were reported in 78'7'o of the first 99 patients. We reported a surgical technique to lengthen the penis. We also reported the long-term success with semirigid implants in 92'7'o of patients with SCI. This technique helped maintain external condom drainage on a small phallus and improved the sex life of patients, as weil as their quality of life. The author's pertinent areas of interest in the past one-half century were aimed at recognizing specific urologic problems associated with neurologic impairment. Management was aimed at preventive care, early recognition, and timely management to reduce secondary complications and enhance quality of life.

Overactive bladder and men: indications for anticholinergics.

Similar to bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms are very common and increase in prevalence as men age. Whether or not OAB symptoms are thought to be secondary to BOO, the goal of treatment of symptoms should result in an improved quality of life and ultimately prevent clinical deterioration. A common dilemma when treating men with obstruction and OAB is the risk of acute urinary retention or morbidities related to increasing postvoid residuals. In this article, the relationship of OAB to BOO is examined and the role of urodynamics and data on the use of anticholinergics in men with OAB and obstruction are reviewed. An algorithm for managing men with OAB also is proposed. In men with OAB without evidence of obstruction (including OAB after treatment for BOO), first-line medical therapy with anticholinergics is indicated. However, in men with OAB and concomitant BOO, nomogram has been developed to assist in the management of patients at risk for urinary retention. Men with significant obstruction should be appropriately treated to decrease bladder outlet resistance before adding anticholinergics for the treatment of OAB.

The role of urodynamics in the diagnosis and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The evaluation and treatment of men with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms is a significant component of most urology practices. The role of urodynamics in this process is controversial. This article reviews the urodynamic techniques that can be used, the relationship between urodynamic testing results and treatment response, and the scenarios in which urodynamic testing may be particularly helpful.

The role of urodynamics in the diagnosis and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

The role of urodynamics in the diagnosis and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms in females.

Ongoing controversy exists as to the extent of the necessary evaluation of the female presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms. Most would agree that a detailed history, a physical examination and a urine analysis are essential components of the initial evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms in the female. Beyond these assessments, however, there are no universally accepted guidelines or recommendations. In selected patients, a urodynamic, endoscopic and/or radiographic evaluation may be indicated. When further investigation of lower urinary tract symptoms is being considered, individual test characteristics, including sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility and accuracy, must be balanced against such factors as cost, morbidity, discomfort, availability and invasiveness. This review discusses some of the recent reports, controversies and developments in the evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms in the female, and briefly reviews the most recent relevant International Continence Society subcommittee publications. The proceedings of the International Consultation on Incontinence, as well as recent publications by a number of its subcommittees, have provided some guidance for the structured evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms in the female, especially with regard to the investigation of urinary incontinence. The role of urodynamics and radiographic imaging continues to be refined. Magnetic resonance imaging is, at present, still primarily a research tool in the evaluation of lower urinary tract disorders in the female; however, a clinical role for this technology is evolving. The goal of a diagnostic evaluation is the accurate characterization of lower urinary tract symptoms for the purposes of treatment. Ideally, a brief, low-cost, non-invasive evaluation would provide a high degree of diagnostic accuracy. However, existing technology is limited in this regard. Until future refinements permit a completely non-invasive, cost-effective and accurate analysis of female lower urinary tract symptoms, existing technology must be appropriately utilized. Well-conducted, evidence-based, prospective studies are needed.