Cystometry

Introduction: micturition Micturition is fundamentally a spinal reflex facilitated and inhibited by higher brain centers and also subject to voluntary facilitation and inhibition.

Use of cystometry : To measure bladder capacity and pressure. Assess how the bladder and sphincter behave while you store urine and when you pass urine.

Done for: People with overactive bladder. Difficulty in urinating. Urinary retention. Incontinence.

Procedure: Patient lye in the back. Urethral opening will be cleansed. Catheter with sensor will be inserted into urethra and bladder. Bladder will be filled with saline solution and filling pressure will be recorded.

Cystometrogram in a normal human

SEGMENT I  When the urinary bladder is empty the intravesical pressure is 0.  When about 100ml of fluid is collected, the pressure rises sharply to about 20cm H20. SEGMENT II  This Segment shows the plateau.  The intravesical pressure remains more or less at 20cm H20 without any change even after introducing 200 to 400ml of fluid.  It is because of adaptation of urinary bladder by relaxation. SEGMENT III As the pressure increases with collection of ml of fluid, the contraction of detrusor muscle become intense, increasing the consciousness and the urge for micturition.