Urodynamics of the female lower urinary tract

The symptoms associated with voiding disorders and incontinence in female patients are notoriously misleading. Even experienced urodynamicists are unable to achieve a 50 per cent success rate for predictive diagnosis based on symptoms and physical examination in any group except pure stress incontinence. Urodynamic studies are an essential part of the investigative sequence required to make an accurate diagnosis. If this is not made, then treatment will be empirical and the success of therapy correspondingly disappointing. The advent of urodynamic investigations has allowed a more rational approach to treatment with documented improvement in the success of therapy. However, our precise understanding of the pathophysiology of incontinence and voiding disorders remains incomplete. Nevertheless, a systematic scheme of investigation using standardized record-keeping and urodynamic techniques allows an accurate diagnosis in most patients. It is essential that additional testing should be performed when the urodynamic investigations fail to explain the patient's complaints. It is hoped that advanced techniques and in particular the electrophysiologic approach may provide the explanation for phenomena as yet ill-understood, such as bladder instability. This article has outlined the importance of a thorough basic assessment of each female patient with a symptomatic inquiry guided by urodynamic insight and a careful physical examination. The basic techniques of flow studies, cystometry, both filling and voiding, and urethral profilometry were described, and the more complex and difficult electrophysiologic tests were outlined.