Transcutaneous electrovesicogram in normal volunteers, patients with interstitial cystitis, neurogenic bladder, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and after cystectomy.

Recordings of the vesical electric activity (electrovesicogram = EVG) were carried out in 22 healthy volunteers (12 male, 10 female: mean age 41.6 years), 9 women with interstitial cystitis (IC: mean age 44.6 years), 24 patients with neurogenic bladder (NB: 16 male, 8 female; mean age 48.3 years), 26 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH: mean age 66.8 years), and 9 cystectomy patients (6 men, 3 women: mean age 37.6 years). Four Beckman type silver-silver chloride electrodes were applied to the abdominal skin: one above and lateral to each pubic tubercle, one above symphysis pubis, and a reference electrode to the thigh. Normal EVG manifested as regular slow waves or pacesetter potentials (PPs) which had the same frequency, amplitude and regular rhythm when the test was repeated in the individual subject. Mean frequency was 4.8 cycle/minute (cpm), amplitude 1.7 mV and velocity 4.6 cm/sec. IC manifested with "vesicoarrhythmia" (increased irregular PPs). NB patients exhibited a "dysrhythmic" EVG (irregular PPs) in upper motor neuron lesions and a "silent" EVG in lower motor lesions. In BPH, the compensated bladder showed "tachyvesica" (regular increased PPs) and the decompensated "bradyarrhythmia" (irregular decreased PPs) or "silent" EVG. Cystectomy patients showed a "silent" EVG. In conclusion, transcutaneous EVG may be a useful investigative method in the diagnosis of vesical disorders. It is safe, simple, without complications and cost-effective.