Pathology and pathophysiology of detrusor in incontinence.

Incontinence is a common urologic problem, especially in the elderly. Ultrastructural study of the detrusor is crucial for the understanding of its normal and abnormal functional behavior. Prospective, correlative, ultrastructural studies in the elderly revealed distinctive patterns of the overactive (unstable) detrusor, whether occurring alone or together with impaired detrusor contractility or bladder outlet obstruction. These patterns provide better insight into pathophysiology of the unstable bladder, and a great potential in diagnosis of detrusor dysfunction in general.