E-Posters-The Role of Urodynamics to Determine Urologic Sources of Pelvic Pain

The Role of Urodynamics to Determine Urologic Sources of Pelvic Pain - James F Jiang

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This study aimed to demonstrate the usefulness of urodynamic testing in diagnosing and managing urologic causes of pelvic pain. The charts of 340 adult women with interstitial cystitis, pelvic pain, and suprapubic pain were reviewed. A subset of 115 patients who had follow-up appointments after urodynamic testing were analyzed. The primary findings from the cystometrogram phase were detrusor overactivity, small bladder capacity with pain, and sensory urgency without pain. The pressure-voiding study phase identified impaired contractility as the most common finding. The most common final diagnoses were interstitial cystitis, detrusor overactivity, and impaired contractility. Treatments included medical treatment, biofeedback, and sacral nerve stimulation. At the last follow-up, 16.5% of patients reported resolution of symptoms, 46.1% reported improvement, and 19.1% reported no change. <br /><br />The study concludes that urodynamic studies can help diagnose urologic causes of pelvic pain, such as detrusor overactivity and impaired contractility, in patients initially diagnosed with interstitial cystitis. Treating these underlying conditions is likely to relieve symptoms. The study acknowledges limitations, including its retrospective nature, short follow-up, subjective treatment success outcomes, and the need for further prospective multi-center studies.<br /><br />In summary, urodynamic testing is a valuable tool for diagnosing and managing urologic causes of pelvic pain. It can help identify detrusor overactivity and impaired contractility, which are often misdiagnosed as interstitial cystitis. By treating these underlying conditions, patients experience symptom relief. However, more extensive studies are needed to further investigate the role of urodynamics in diagnosing pelvic pain.

Keywords

urodynamic testing

diagnosing pelvic pain

managing urologic causes

interstitial cystitis

pelvic pain

suprapubic pain

detrusor overactivity

small bladder capacity

sensory urgency

impaired contractility