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Resources Title
International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire
Glossary of Urodynamics
International Prostate Symptom Score
Report on Good Urodynamics Practice
Standardisation of Terminology of Lower Urinary Tract Function (ICS)
Nursing the Incontinent Patient
English Voiding Diary Color | English Voiding Diary:Black & White
French Voiding Diary: Color | French Voiding Diary: Black & White
Glossary of Urodynamics Terms

Abdominal Pressure: (Pabd) the pressure surrounding the bladder, usually measured via rectum or vagina. Standard channel on CMG or pressure/flow studies, measured in cmH2O

Abdominal Leak Point Pressure: (ALPP) the intravesical pressure at which there is leakage of fluid from the bladder caused by increasing abdominal pressure by straining or coughing. ALPP less than 60cmH2O pressure is considered intrinsic sphincter dysfunction. ALPP greater than 90cmH2O pressure can indicate urethral hypermobility, and shows a low risk of intrinsic sphincter dysfunction. Standard annotation in Event Menu, often on Control Panel

Acontractile Detrusor: (formerly arreflexic bladder) absence of detrusor contraction under urodynamic evaluation

Area Under The Curve: a calculation of the area contained by the curve of a urethral pressure profile

Bladder Pressure: (Pves, intravesical pressure) pressure within the bladder standard channel on CMG, pressure/flow, or UPP tests, measured in cmH2O

Calibration: “checking calibrations” - verifying the accuracy of measurements “recalibrate” – a procedure to correct or improve the accuracy of measurements

Capacity: notation of the sensation at which the patient feels he/she can no longer delay voiding. This is the point at which permission to void is given. Standard annotation in Event Menu, often placed on the Control Panel

Closure Pressure: (Pclo) the calculated value that reflects the difference between urethral pressure and bladder pressure. Pura–Pves=Pclo. Pclo less than 20cmH2O pressure can indicate intrinsic sphincter dysfunction. Standard channel in a UPP test, measured in cmH2O

Compliance: the relationship between bladder volume and bladder pressure. Calculated by dividing the change in detrusor pressure during that change in bladder volume. Expressed in ml/cm H2O. Standard points are: the detrusor pressure at start of bladder filling (usually zero), the detrusor pressure at cystometric capacity (but before any detrusor contractions). Can be calculated using the function found under “Info” on the client screen, or set to Auto Compliance under “Options”

Cystometrogram: (CMG) the graphical recording of bladder pressures. Most commonly used to refer to general urodynamic studies. Standard will include Pves, Pabd, Pdet, EMG and display volume infused and infusion rate

Detrusor: muscle layer surrounding bladder

Detrusor Leak Point Pressure: detrusor pressure at which urine leakage occurs in the absence of either a detrusor contraction OR increased abdominal pressure. Most often seen in neurologically impaired patients such as spinal cord injury. DLPP greater than 40cmH2O pressure can lead to upper urinary tract damage

Detrusor Overactivity: characterized by involuntary detrusor contractions during the filling phase of urodynamics – either spontaneous or provoked

Detrusor Overactivity Incontinence: incontinence as a result of involuntary detrusor contraction

Detrusor Pressure: (Pdet) the calculated pressure measurement reflecting that component of total intravesical pressure that is generated by the detrusor muscle. Pves-Pabd=Pdet. Standard on CMG or pressure/flow tests, measured in cmH2O

Electromyogram: the measurement of nerve activity – in urodynamics to monitor sphincter muscle activity

Enuresis: involuntary loss of urine, usually subcategorized as nocturnal enuresis meaning involuntary loss of urine during sleep

Filling Phase: (storage phase) often used to describe the CMG portion of a urodynamic examination, this phase ends prior to voiding

Sensation: in urodynamics, the reported sensations during testing such as first sensation, first desire, strong desire, and sense of reaching bladder capacity. These are recorded as annotations, in the Event Menu and usually on the Control panel.

Micturition Study: a pressure/flow study. This study includes pressure measurements such as Pves and Pabd as well as uroflow measurements. This allows documentation of the relationship between the pressure generated during the voiding event and the resultant flow rate and pattern.

Post Void Residual: (PVR) the volume of urine left in the bladder after voiding

Pressure/Flow Study: (Micturition study) a urodynamic study that includes pressure measurements such as Pves and Pabd as well as uroflow measurements. This allows documentation of the relationship between the pressure generated during the voiding event and the resultant flow rate and pattern. Standard will include: Pves, Pabd, Pdet, EMG, Flow, Volume voided, and digital display of volume infused and infusion rate

Pressure Transmission Ratio: (PTR) the increment in urethral pressure on stress as a percentage of the simultaneously recorded increment in intravesical pressure. Calculated as: PTR=(urethral pressure rise during stress maneuvers at the site of MUCP/intravesical pressure rise) x100. If the pressure measured on the Pclo channel becomes negative leakage is likely to occur. For best correlation between stress urinary incontinence and findings on stress UPP, the test should be done with a full bladder, and in the erect position.

Stress Urinary Incontinence: (SUI) the symptom of a loss of urine associated with exertion, often with cough or sneeze. This is considered a complaint unless proven urodynamically, when it then is known as urodynamic stress incontinence (formerly genuine stress incontinence)

Strong Desire To Void: described as the persistent desire to void without fear of leakage


Common Urodynamics Terms

ALPP Abdominal leak point pressure

CLPP Cough leak point pressure

CMG Cystometrogram

DLPP Detrusor leak point pressure

DSD Detrusor sphincter dyssynergia

EMG Electromyogram

FUL Functional urethral profile length

ICS International Continence Society

IH2O Rate of fluid infusion during CMG

ISD Intrinsic sphincter dysfunction (or deficiency)

LPP Leak point pressure

LUTS Lower urinary tract symptoms

MCC Maximum cystometric capacity

MUCP Maximum urethral closure pressure

MUP Maximum urethral pressure

NGB Neurogenic bladder

Pabd Abdominal pressure

Pclo Closure pressure

Pdet Detrusor (or subtracted) pressure

PTR Pressure transmission ratio

Pura Urethral pressure

Pves Intravesical pressure

PVR Post void residual

SUI Stress urinary incontinence

UDC Uninhibited detrusor contraction

UPP Urethral pressure profile

URA Urethral resistance factor - nomogram

VH2O Volume infused during CMG

VLPP Valsalva leak point pressure

VS Valsalva

VUR Vesico-ureteral reflux


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