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Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing
Published on: August 14, 2019
Do we need better methods of assessing urethral function: ICI-RS 2013?
Andrew Gammie1, Ruud Bosch, Jens Chr Djurhuus
1Bristol Urological Institute, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Current methods for assessing urethral function are insufficient for clinical needs, highlighting a gap in diagnostic capabilities. Further research is recommended to improve these essential diagnostic tools for better patient care.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Diagnostic Assessment
Background:
- Current diagnostic methods for urethral function assessment are widely used in clinical practice.
- The International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society (ICI) convenes experts to discuss and advance incontinence research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the adequacy of existing urethral function assessment methods for meeting clinical diagnostic requirements.
- To identify limitations and areas for improvement in current diagnostic techniques.
Main Methods:
- A review and analysis of a debate from the 2013 International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society meeting.
- Systematic review of reported efficacy and clinical application of various urethral function assessment methods.
Main Results:
- All reviewed methods for assessing urethral function exhibit limitations in their application and efficacy.
- The reliability of some assessment methods remains unproven, indicating a need for further validation.
Conclusions:
- A significant disparity exists between the demands of clinical practice and the capabilities of current urethral function assessments.
- Future research should focus on developing more reliable and clinically applicable methods for diagnosing urethral function.
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