Clinical neurophysiological methods for investigating the lower urinary tract in patients with micturition disorders.

Abstract

Methods: Different clinical neurophysiological methods used in the investigation of patients with micturition disorders are summarized in a short critical review. The techniques of measuring nerve conduction velocities, sacral reflex latencies, cortical evoked potentials, sensory thresholds, concentric needle EMG and single fibre EMG are described and the clinical applications of the different methods are reported.

Conclusion: It is concluded that the neurophysiological tests are mainly useful in establishing the integrity of the peripheral innervation of the pelvic floor and in case of neurogenic lesions, the combination of different methods might show the level of the lesion.