The significance of the stop test in female urinary incontinence.

One hundred twelve cases of female urinary incontinence were studied. The bladder was stable in 53 patients and detrusor instability was detection in 59 of the incontinent women. Cystometry performed in the supine position cannot be relied upon to be sufficiently useful in the complete evaluation of various forms of instability. Involuntary detrusor contractions occurring during one or more provocative tests represent an abnormal bladder behavior pattern. An isometric contraction develops when the stream is interrupted and stable incontinent women show only a small isometric rise in 35 cases (66%). Fifty-six patients with unstable bladders presented a large isometric detrusor contraction (95%). Urodynamic studies combined with voiding stop tests can increase the clinical information of female urinary incontinence.