[Techniques of urodynamic diagnosis. Measurement--pressure--flow]

The urodynamic techniques useful for the diagnostic assessment of vesicosphincteric disorders are uroflowmetry, measurement of abdominal, urethral and vesical pressure and electromyography. Uroflowmetry is a very widely used screening examination, as it is atraumatic. Other techniques are more invasive, but provide more pathophysiological information. The methodology is recalled for each of these examinations. The parameters to be analysed are described in detail. The value and limitations of these modalities are emphasised. Combined examinations allow a better understanding of vesicosphincteric equilibria and disequilibria and reveal the concepts of compliance, detrusor pressure, isometric detrusor contractions, hyper and hypoactivity, and pressure transmission.