Urodynamic Testing
What Are The Benefits Of Urodynamic Diagnostic Testing?
Urodynamic Testing is used to identify the source of urine incontinence in women who may be experiencing problems with filling and emptying of the bladder.
Urodynamic is used to determine bladder strength, specifically the strength of the detrusor muscle and to identify any problems that may exist in the storage and emptying of the bladder.
Why Has a Urodynamic Test Been Recommended?
A urodynamic diagnostic test is recommended to rule out or confirm certain disorders of the urinary bladder and urethra. These disorders include:
- neurogenic bladder dysfunction,
- spinal cord injury,
- multiple sclerosis and
Other conditions that warrant testing bladder strength by using Urodynamic in trauma and age-related issues.
Urodynamic is also indicated in patients with complicated medical histories, incontinence not responsive to surgery or medical therapy and nocturnal enuresis.
What Conditions Can Urodynamic Test Diagnose?
Urodynamic can be used to diagnose if a disorder in the bladder and urethra functionality exists.
Urodynamic does not diagnose the underlying cause, which requires further tests based on the differential diagnosis. Urodynamic can identity:
- urinary retention,
- reduced filling capacity, and
- reduced strength for urination.
It can also be used to determine urinary incontinence.
What Information Can Urodynamic Diagnostic Test?
This test can report the following information:
- The rate of flow of urine from the bladder
- Residual urine quantity
- Point of the urge prior to urination
- The maximum filling capacity of the bladder
By measuring this information your doctor can better understand the causes, nature and progress of a bladder disorder.
What Are the Consequences of Not Conducting Urodynamic Test?
There are no consequences directly related to not taking the diagnostic test. However, by not identifying the nature of a bladder disorder and the functional attributes, may result in delaying an accurate diagnosis or the selection of an incorrect therapy, hindering recovery.
How Do You Prepare for Urodynamic Diagnostic Test?
In order to prepare for the procedure, the patient should be adequately counselled to ensure that the informed consent obtained is fully understood.
The doctor then records a complete history and conducts a physical examination to ensure that the patient is a good fit for the procedure and in good health.
There is no special preparation and not clothing requirements for a Urodynamic Diagnostic Test, but generally comfortable clothes should be worn.
What Does Urodynamic Diagnostic Test Involve?
The Urodynamic Test usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, but it may take slightly longer if any of the special tests are done.
The Urodynamic Test involves the following steps:
- The patient is asked to empty her bladder before beginning.
- A catheter is inserted through the urethra into the bladder.
- Residual urine is measured by your doctor (this is the urine left in the bladder)
- An additional catheter might be placed in the vagina or the rectum to measure abdominal pressure. Alternatively, the doctor may place electrodes on either side of the anus for measuring the functional strength of the muscles.
- A small amount of fluid is added through the catheter into the bladder, this is followed by an equal amount of warmer fluid.
- The patient is asked to describe how they are feeling (in pain, full, urge to urinate)
- The fluid is allowed to pass out via the catheter and is measured by a Cystometer to record bladder pressure.
Next, the process is repeated but fluid or gas is added until the patient reports that he feels full and needs to urinate. The pressure in the bladder is recorded.
Again, the patient is directed to empty the bladder over a special toilet in the room, and the bladder pressure and muscle strength are recorded again.
At the end of the procedure, the catheter and any attached probes are removed.
How Long Will Your Test Results Take?
Whereas some results may be available instantly, it takes two to three working days to get complete test results back.
After Urodynamic Diagnostic Test,
There is no recovery time required after this procedure or any special precautions to be practised.
Patients are free to continue their normal routines and diet without concern. The doctor will advise extra intake of fluids to make it easier to urinate for the first few days.
The doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent an infection. It’s normal to see blood in the urine after the test, which will lessen with time.
