The urodynamic profile of prostatodynia

To evaluate urodynamically patients with prostatodynia, and thus define a specific urodynamic pattern that might add to the pathophysiology of the syndrome and possibly aid definitive treatment.

Forty-three patients (mean age 38.1 years, sd 9.25, range 24-59) with symptoms suggestive of chronic prostatitis, e.g. dysuria, frequency of micturition and a burning sensation in the perineum, were classified as having prostatodynia after excluding prostatic infection by standard bacteriological methods. Thereafter, the patients were evaluated urodynamically, including the measurement of free flow-rate, filling (water) cystometry, a pressure/flow study of micturition, with fluoroscopy and electromyography of the external urethral sphincter.

Twenty-eight patients (65%) had a low maximum free flow rate (Qmax ), with a mean (sd) of 10.91 (1.26) mL/s. Of the 42 patients who underwent filling cystometry, 26 (62%) had a first sensation of filling, and 28 (67%) a first desire to void, at low volumes (<150 mL and <300 mL, respectively). Of the 25 patients who underwent a pressure/flow study, 16 (64%) had an obstructive pattern of micturition, as defined by a low Qmax of 10.04 (1.38) mL/s and a high intravesical pressure at Qmax of 83.3 (5.3) cmH2O. The site of obstruction was at the level of the bladder neck, as confirmed by fluoroscopy.

A significant proportion of these patients had a particular urodynamic pattern of functional infravesical obstruction at the level of the bladder neck and sensory disturbances.