Techniques for imaging bladder support.
BACKGROUND
Imaging techniques of bladder support can be of diagnostic value to differ causes of urinary incontinence like misbuilding of the lower urinary tract, hypermobility of the bladderneck and urethral wall pathology, which is valuable prior to surgery for incontinence.


METHODS
Literature about imaging techniques, especially, voiding cystourethrography, ultrasonography and MRI were studied and their diagnostic value evaluated.


CONCLUSIONS
Dynamic ultrasonography is the first line imaging method for studying bladder support. Bladderneck hypermobility, as a sign of defect in the adjunctive closure forces is better correlated to stress incontinence than bladder morfology, diagnosed during static cystography. Voiding cystography has its place in diagnosing misbuildings of the lower urinary tract. MRI is just at the beginning of its clinical era, and seems relevant for studies of urethral pathology.
Mouritsen
L
L
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014567:Urography; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000175:diagnosis