MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 27 men and 27 women aged 65-85 years participated in the study. All underwent perineal ultrasound examination following standardized criteria under the three conditions of rest, contraction and a Valsalva maneuvre. Ultrasound images were taken under each condition and given to two independent examiners for evaluation. For all conditions it was recorded which of the three reference points for the quantification of urethral mobility, the urethra, internal urethral meatus and the base of the urinary bladder, could be assessed. The results were compared by means of a coefficient of agreement (p0) and the difference of the results between the two groups was validated for statistical significance using Student's t-test.
RESULTS: At a t-value of 1.58 (p=0.154) there were no significant differences in the reproducibility in visualizing the three sonographic reference points, the urethra, internal urethral meatus and the base of the urinary bladder, between men and women.
CONCLUSIONS: Using perineal ultrasound for quantification of urethral mobility in the diagnostics of incontinence in men after prostatectomy is just as reproducible in men as in women. For both sexes the technique is comfortable and pain-free due to the non-invasive nature. Perineal ultrasound is a cheap, non-invasive and reproducible diagnostic procedure which can be recommended for the evaluation of incontinence and the selection of a suitable surgical procedure also in men.
Written by:
Najjari L, Hennemann J, Maass N, Kirschner-Hermanns RK. Are you the author?
Klinik für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, Uniklinik Aachen, Kapuzinergasse 7, 52068, Aachen, Deutschland.
Reference: Urologe A. 2011 Nov 25. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1007/s00120-011-2756-7
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22113548
Article in German.
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