Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
05:25
Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing
Published on: August 14, 2019
Differential diagnosis of overactive bladder in men
Jerry G Blaivas1, Brian K Marks, Jeffrey P Weiss
1Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York, USA.
The Journal of Urology
|October 20, 2009
Summary
Overactive bladder in men often stems from various urological conditions, not just a single syndrome. Identifying these underlying causes like benign prostatic enlargement is key for effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Diagnostic Medicine
Background:
- Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in men can be indicative of multiple underlying urological pathologies.
- A clear differential diagnosis is crucial for targeted and successful treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the differential diagnosis of concomitant pathological conditions in men presenting with overactive bladder symptoms.
- To establish a diagnostic rubric for clinicians managing male OAB patients.
Main Methods:
- An observational, descriptive study involving 122 men with OAB symptoms.
- Utilized validated OAB questionnaires, voiding diaries, physical exams, and urodynamic testing.
- Cases were categorized into specific urological conditions including benign prostatic enlargement, neurogenic bladder, and cancer complications.
Main Results:
- Detrusor overactivity was confirmed in 79% of patients via urodynamics.
- Benign prostatic enlargement was the most common diagnosis (32%), followed by benign prostatic obstruction (22%) and prostate cancer treatment complications (20%).
- Other diagnoses included neurogenic bladder, urethral stricture, idiopathic OAB, bladder stones, bladder cancer, and bladder diverticulum.
Conclusions:
- Overactive bladder in men is a symptom complex, not a distinct syndrome, with diverse underlying urological causes.
- A comprehensive differential diagnosis is essential for precise patient management and improved treatment outcomes.
- This study provides a diagnostic framework to guide clinicians in identifying specific pathologies contributing to male OAB.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
Men's health issues are increasingly recognized as significant, with several conditions posing common threats. Among these, testicular cancer is especially prevalent in younger men, particularly those aged 20 to 35 years. The disease often manifests as a painless mass in the testicles, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heaviness or a dull ache.
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra. Symptoms...
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra. Symptoms...
01:19Urodynamic Studies: Uroflowmetry
Uroflowmetry is a non-invasive urodynamic test designed to measure various aspects of urination, including volume, flow rate, and the time to void. This test is crucial for diagnosing and assessing conditions such as bladder outlet obstruction, bladder dysfunction, incomplete bladder emptying, incontinence, and urinary tract blockages caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and urethral strictures.Pre-Test Instructions:Before a uroflowmetry test, patients are typically advised to drink...
01:23Urinary Bladder
The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular sac that temporarily stores urine before it is expelled from the body. It can hold approximately 600 mL of urine prior to micturition. The bladder is retroperitoneal and located behind the pubic symphysis in the pelvic floor.
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
01:26The Micturition Reflex
Urination, or micturition involves the coordination of the bladder's detrusor muscle and two sphincters to ensure controlled bladder emptying.
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating urine...
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating urine...
01:19Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra
The lower urinary system consists of the urinary bladder and urethra, which are essential in storing and expelling urine from the body. Together with the internal and external sphincters, these structures work together to regulate urination effectively.Anatomy of the BladderThe urinary bladder is a muscular, stretchable organ behind the pubic bone and in front of the rectum. In females, the bladder is positioned anterior to the vagina and inferior to the uterus, while in males, it is located...
01:28Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...