[Urodynamic studies in children]

Disturbances of micturition and continence in children are frequent and, in certain cases, urodynamic studies provide a major diagnostic contribution to the clinical and radiological assessment. Many investigation techniques are available, ranging from simple uroflowmetry to the most complex urodynamic study recording bladder pressure, urethral pressure and urethral sphincter electromyography. In children, it is essential to record abdominal pressure, to perfuse the bladder slowly and to be present during the examination in order to correctly detect any artefacts. The indication for urodynamic examination and its technique depend on the results of a thorough clinical assessment and useless or invasive examinations must be avoided. Urodynamic studies have an important role in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of neurological problems, but have a more variable role in functional disease, the most frequent and most extensively studied and in uropathies responsible for disturbances of micturition or continence.