Urodynamics tests measure how the urinary bladder functions and provide objective evidence about any dysfunction. Common tests include uroflowmetry to measure urine flow, cystometry to evaluate bladder capacity and pressure, and pressure flow studies to identify bladder outlet blockage. Symptoms like urine leakage, frequent urination, and incomplete emptying may indicate the need for urodynamics to inform treatment for conditions like prostate enlargement or spinal injuries.

1. Urodynamics/Uroflowmetry
DEPARTMENT OF UROLOGY EDUCATION
Production Team
Dr. Abraham Benjamin - Manager Medical Informatics
Mr. Naresh Kumar - Coordinator Medical Informatics

2. What is Urodynamics?
 Urodynamics is the name given to a series of tests designed
to show how the Urinary Bladder functions.
 Symptoms reported by the patient are often an unreliable
guide to the underlying dysfunction of the lower urinary tract.
 The purpose of Urodynamics is to provide objective evidence
for treatment. It can also be done to study the emptying of
the urine from the kidney into the ureter.

3. Anatomy of urinary tract

4. Why are Urodynamics Performed ?
 They are also performed in Men, Women and children who have
difficulty in passing Urine and also in patients of Urinary Leak,
Spinal Injury Patients and Patients who have defective Kidney by
Birth.
 Most urodynamic tests focus on the bladder’s ability to hold urine
and empty steadily and completely.
 Symptoms reported by the patient are often an unreliable guide to
the underlying dysfunction of the lower urinary tract. The purpose
of Urodynamics is to provide objective evidence for treatment.

5. What are the Symptoms for which
Urodynamics are performed?
 urine leakage.
 frequent urination.
 painful urination.
 sudden, strong urges to urinate.
 problems starting a urine stream.
 problems emptying the bladder completely.
 recurrent urinary tract infections.

6. What are the different type of
Urodynamics Tests Performed?
 Uroflowmetry.
 Cystometry.
 Pressure flow study.
 Video urodynamic tests.
 Urethral Pressure Profile (UPP)
 Electromyography (EMG)
 Whitakers test.

7. Uroflowmetry
The above picture shows a Uroflowmetry machine which measures the
reading and gives the results immediately.

8. Uroflowmetry
 Uroflowmetry is the measurement of urine speed and volume. Special equipment
automatically measures the amount of urine and the flow rate, and how fast the urine
comes out.
 Uroflowmetry equipment includes a device for catching and measuring urine and a
computer to record the data. During a Uroflowmetry test, the person urinates
privately into a special toilet or funnel that has a container for collecting the urine and
a scale.
 The equipment creates a graph that shows when the flow rate is the highest and how
many seconds it takes to get there. Results of this test will be abnormal if the bladder
muscles are weak or urine flow is blocked.

9. Uroflowmetry Graphs
Normal Graph Obstructed Flow Graph

10. Cystometry
 A cystometric test measures how much urine the bladder can hold, how
much pressure builds up inside the bladder as it stores urine, and how full
it is when the urge to urinate begins.
 A catheter is used to empty the bladder completely. Then a special,
smaller catheter is placed in the bladder. This catheter has a pressure
measuring device called a manometer.
 The patient is then asked to void, and both flow and pressure are
recorded. These are plotted against each other to create the
cystometrogram.

11. Cystometry Procedure and Graphs
above picture shows catheter placement Cystometrogram

12. Urethral Pressure Profilometry(UPP)
 This urodynamic test measures
pressure at the distal sphincter.
(The urinary control mechanism )

13. Pressure Flow Study
 A pressure flow study measures the simultaneous true
bladder pressure required to urinate and the flow rate.
 This pressure flow study helps identify bladder outlet
blockage that men may experience with prostate
enlargement.
 In this test the patient bladder is simulated for filling of
the Urinary bladder and the patient urinary bladder is
filled to the point of voiding and the pressure and flow
rate are measured.

14. Video Urodynamic Tests:
 Video urodynamic tests take pictures and videos of
the bladder during filling and emptying. The imaging
equipment may use real time xray imaging and
these test are usually combined with the pressure
flow tests.
 When x rays are used the bladder is filled with a
contrast Medium.
 This test is usually combined with Pressure flow
studies test.

15. Electromyography:
 Electromyography uses special sensors to measure
the electrical activity of the muscles and nerves in
and around the bladder and the sphincters.
 The sensors are placed on the skin near the urethra
and rectum or on a urethral or rectal catheter.
Muscle and nerve activity is recorded on a machine.
The patterns of the nerve impulses show whether
the messages sent to the bladder and sphincters are
coordinated correctly.

16. Electromyography:

17. Whitakers Test:
 It is a urodynamic study, which has been used to evaluate
persistent upper urinary tract dilatation.

18. What Preparation is required by the
patient for Urodynamics?
 The patient will normally be asked to attend for the
tests with a comfortably full bladder.
 Patient is required to take a laxative a night before
the test to ensure rectum is empty
 Urine Culture should be negative before the
Urodynamics is performed

19. What to expect after Urodynamics
test for a patient ?
 After having urodynamic tests, the patient may feel mild discomfort for a
few hours due to insertion of catheter while passing urine .
 There might be a chance for Urinary Tract Infection
 The Uroflowmetry test result is obtained immediately but the other tests
need upto24 hr to interpret .
 If you need to get this test done and meet our team of Urologists for
Consultation click on the link below
http://www.ramayyapramila.com/

20. Superior and Compassionate Care