Urethral pressure reflectometry; a novel technique for simultaneous recording of pressure and cross-sectional area in the female urethra.

AIMS

Urethral pressure reflectometry (UPR) is a new and easily applicable technique for simultaneous measurements of cross-sectional area (CA) and pressure in the urethra. CAs of 1-16 mm(2) and pressures of 0-200 cm H(2)O can be measured along the entire urethra in the same setting. The method is reliable in vitro. The aim was to present the method and some clinical results from the female urethra.

METHODS

A very thin polyurethane-bag was placed in the urethra. A pump applied preselected pressures stepwise to the bag. For every step the CA was measured by acoustic reflectometry. Measurements were made both during inflation and deflation. The women were examined in different positions and with different provocations.

RESULTS

UPR was easy to perform. The obtained parameters were opening pressure, closing pressure, elastance of the opening curve and closing curve, and hysteresis.

CONCLUSIONS

UPR is feasible for measuring urethral pressure and corresponding CA. The technique is minimally invasive and with minimal impact on the urethra per se. The technique provides physiological sound parameters which add potentially important physiological/pathophysiological information about the urethra to what can be obtained on the basis of conventional urodynamic work-up. Further studies are needed to prove if this new method is useful for clinical and research purposes.