Ultrasound measurement of bladder wall thickness in different forms of detrusor overactivity

Introduction and hypothesis  

Aims of this study were to compare the ultrasound measurement of bladder wall thickness (BWT) in women with different urodynamic diagnosis and to correlate BWT to the different urodynamic findings of detrusor overactivity (DO).     

经超声逼尿肌厚度测定在无创诊断女性膀胱出口梗阻中的应用

目的 探讨经超声逼尿肌厚度测定在女性膀胱出口梗阻诊断中的应用价值.方法 93例伴有LUTS的女性患者,行压力流率测定过程中,当膀胱容量为250 ml或最大膀胱容量的50％时,应用7.5 MHz高频线纵超声探头测定膀胱前壁逼尿肌厚度.以Qmax≤12 ml/s以及最大尿流率时逼尿肌压力≥25 cm H2O(1 cm H2O =0.098 kPa)作为诊断女性膀胱出口梗阻的标准,将患者分为梗阻及非梗阻两组,比较两组年龄、尿动力学参数及逼尿肌厚度的差异.应用相对工作特征曲线评价逼尿肌厚度测定作为诊断工具的价值. 结果 梗阻组42例,非梗阻组51例.两组年龄分别为(61.2±8.3)、(59.9±7.7)岁(P=0.44),最大膀胱灌注容量分别为(292.2±82.3)、(308.1±87.5)ml(P =0.37),组间比较差异均无统计学意义;两组最大逼尿肌压力[(43.1±11.2)、(16.2±7.1)cm H2O,P=0.00]、最大尿流率时逼尿肌压力[(34.3±8.2)、(13.1±7.8)cm H2O,P=0.00]、Qmax[(7.4±3.2)、(17.4±4.1)ml/s,P=0.00]、排尿量[(157.1±63.7)、(251.2±77.4)ml,P=0.00]、残余尿量[(117.5±71.3)、(37.7±18.1)ml,P=0.00]及逼尿肌厚度[(1.8±0.3)、(1.4±0.2)mm,P =0.00]比较差异均有统计学意义.当临界值≥1.9 mm时,特异性和阳性预测值均为100％,敏感性为38％,阴性预测值为62％.其曲线下面积为0.88±0.06. 结论 经超声逼尿肌厚度测定诊断女性膀胱出口梗阻具有无创、方便、可靠的特点.当临界值≥1.9 mm时,具有较高的特异度和阳性预测值,在一定程度上可取代压力流率测定.     

Transabdominal ultrasonography of detrusor wall thickness in women with overactive bladder

Study Type – Diagnostic (case series)
Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To determine the clinical usefulness of measuring detrusor wall thickness (DWT) as a noninvasive test in women with overactive bladder (OAB).

PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 122 women with dry OAB, wet OAB, and women with no OAB symptoms (control group). A 3‐day voiding diary was used to differentiate between wet and dry OAB. Transabdominal ultrasonography (TAUS) measurements of DWT were taken at bladder volumes of 250–300 mL and the maximal bladder capacity by both catheter‐ and natural‐filling. Video‐urodynamic studies (VUDS) were used to classify bladder dysfunction in 88 of the women.

RESULTS

The mean (range) age of the women was 58 (20–94) years. There were 39 ‘normal’ controls, 44 women had dry OAB, and 39 had wet OAB. Of the 88 women who had VUDS, 28 had a ‘normal’ test, 30 had increased bladder sensation (IBS), and 30 had detrusor overactivity (DO). The mean DWT at 250–300 mL among three symptomatic subgroups or urodynamic subgroups showed no significant difference by either catheter‐ or natural‐filling methods. The women with wet OAB had significantly greater DWTs than the controls at maximal bladder volume. The maximal bladder capacity was significantly greater in ‘normal’ women than in those with OAB. If we corrected maximal bladder volume to 250 mL, DWT at corrected 250 mL showed no significant difference among three symptomatic subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

DWT measured by TAUS in women with OAB and without OAB was not different and did not differ with urodynamic status. Thus, TAUS measurement of DWT is not recommended as a useful diagnostic test for DO in women with OAB.     

经超声逼尿肌厚度测定在可疑膀胱出口梗阻患者中的应用

目的 分析可疑膀胱出口梗阻患者术前逼尿肌厚度,探讨逼尿肌厚度测定对可疑膀胱出口梗阻患者术后疗效的预测作用.方法 对可疑膀胱出口梗阻并行手术治疗的86例患者在行压力流率测定过程中,当膀胱容量为250 ml或灌注量为膀胱最大容量的50%时,应用7.5 MHz高频线纵超声探头行膀胱前壁逼尿肌厚度测定.术后3个月复查,将患者分为疗效显著组与疗效非显著组,比较2组患者年龄、前列腺体积及逼尿肌厚度.结果 疗效显著组(37例)与疗效非显著组(49例)患者年龄及前列腺体积差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).逼尿肌厚度差异有统计学意义[(2.5±0.3)和(2.2±0.3)mm,P＜0.01].应用受试者工作特性曲线,当逼尿肌厚度≥2.8 mm时,逼尿肌厚度测定作为预测工作特异性和阳性预测值均为100%,而敏感性为19%,阴性预测值为62%.其曲线下面积为0.84±0.04.结论 逼尿肌测定预测可疑膀胱出口梗阻患者术后疗效可靠,但仍需要多中心、大样本的试验进一步确定临界值.

Abstract：

Objective To estimate the application of ultrasound measurement of detrusor wall thickness (DWT) in the assessment of curative effect after operation. Methods Detrusor thickness was measured by linear ultrasound (7. 5 MHz) either at a filling volume of 50% of cystometric capacity or at 250 ml filling in 86 patients, who were diagnosed equivocal BOO, during a pressure-flow study. All patients accepted transurethral resection of the prostate. At 3 months post-surgery, the patients were divided into two groups according to curative effect after operation. The volume of the prostate, age and DWT were compared between the two groups. Results There was no difference in either age or volume of the prostate between the two groups. DWT was significantly higher (P＜0.01) in the more curative effect group (37 cases, DWT 2. 5±0.3 mm) compared to the less curative effect group (49 cases, 2.2±0. 3 mm). As a predictor of curative effect, DWT of 2. 8 mm or greater had a positive predictive value of 100%, a negative predictive value of 62%, specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 19%. Receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC) revealed that DWT had a high predictive value for curative effect post-surgery with an AUC of 0. 84±0. 04. Conclusions In patients with equivocal BOO, ultrasonographically assessed detrusor thickness may have a predictive value for curative effect post-surgery. However, this cutoff value needs to be validated in a larger study population.     

The significance of detrusor wall thickness as a prognostic factor in pediatric bladder outlet obstruction

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine detrusor thickness as a prognostic factor in posterior urethral valves.MethodsThe medical information of 41 patients diagnosed with posterior urethral valves at our institute was retrospectively reviewed. The serum creatinine level after bladder decompression, results of ultrasonography, and voiding cystourethrography were compared between groups divided according to the final bladder and renal function. Detrusor thickness was measured using Müller's method.ResultsThe median detrusor thickness was 1.3 mm (0.4-2.5 mm). After median 45.6 months (7.2-96.0 months) of follow-up, impaired bladder function (IBF) was observed in 14 patients. In multivariate analysis, detrusor thickness greater than 1.3 mm (odds ratio, 32.6; 95% confidence interval, 3.1-340.6; P = .004) was the only independent risk factor for later IBF. Final renal function impairment developed in 24 patients (58.5%), and 3 patients (7.3%) were diagnosed with end-stage renal disease after median 66.0 months (32.4-133.2 months) of follow-up period. On multivariate analysis, age-specific elevated serum creatinine level at presentation (odds ratio, 11.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-112.5; P = .042) was an independent risk factor.ConclusionsDetrusor thickness more than 1.3 mm on ultrasonography was an independent prognostic factor for later IBF.     

A review of detrusor overactivity and the overactive bladder after radical prostate cancer treatment

There are various forms of treatment for prostate cancer. In addition to oncologic outcomes, physicians, and increasingly patients, are focusing on functional and adverse outcomes. Symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB), including urinary frequency, urgency and incontinence, can occur regardless of treatment modality. This article examines the prevalence, pathophysiology and options for treating OAB after radical prostate cancer treatment. OAB seems to be more common and severe after radiation therapy than after surgical therapy and even persisted longer with complications, suggesting an advantage for surgery over radiotherapy. Because OAB that occurs after radical prostate surgery or radiotherapy can be difficult to treat, it is important that patients are made aware of the potential development of OAB during counselling before decisions regarding treatment choice are made. To ensure a successful outcome of both treatments, it is imperative that clinicians and non‐specialists enquire about and document pretreatment urinary symptoms and carefully evaluate post‐treatment symptoms.     

Standardized ultrasound method for assessing detrusor muscle thickness in children

PURPOSE: We standardized transabdominal ultrasound measurement of bladder wall thickness in children and evaluated its reliability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using ultrasonography we measured the thickness of the low echogenic layer of the ventral and dorsal bladder walls at increasing degrees of bladder fullness in the setting of voiding cystourethrography. For assessing intra-observer variability an observer blinded to the numerical values of the measurements studied 38 patients 0.2 to 13.7 years old (median age 1. 5). Measurements were performed as pairs of replicates at well-defined sites with reference to the urachal remnant, and rectal impression and/or contour. For assessing interobserver variability 3 independent observers measured the same child. Eight children 0.3 to 10.5 years old (median age 6.4) were evaluated at 2 degrees of bladder fullness per child. RESULTS: The thickness of the low echogenic layer of the ventral and dorsal walls was 0.4 to 2.9 (median 0.9) and 0.4 to 2.8 mm. (median 1.1). The dorsal wall was slightly thicker than the ventral wall. The intra-observer and interobserver variability of measurements (standard deviation) was 0. 2 mm. for each wall part. There was a small systematic difference among observers. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to determine the thickness of the low echogenic layer of the bladder wall with a systematic and anatomically defined method of acceptably reliable measurements. The ventral and dorsal walls should continue to be measured until more is known about their pathological appearance.     

Combined evaluation of detrusor pressure and bladder wall thickness as a parameter for the assessment of detrusor function: an experimental in vivo study

PURPOSE: We developed a new method for assessing detrusor function, including active detrusor pressure in relation to bladder wall thickness. This parameter should enable the determination of bladder wall tension, defined as detrusor force per cross-sectional area of bladder tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In acute studies in 8 male foxhounds sacral anterior roots S2 to S3 were placed into a modified Brindley electrode. The bladder was stimulated at different intravesical volumes with bladder filling in 50 ml. stages up to 700 ml. and intravesical pressure was measured and registered. The volume of bladder tissue was determined following cystectomy. Bladder tissue volume and bladder wall thickness were correlated with intravesical pressure during stimulation, resulting in the determination of detrusor force per cross-sectional area in N./cm.2 bladder tissue. RESULTS: The curve of the intravesical pressure rise during stimulation between 0 and 700 ml. showed a rapid incline with a maximum mean of 70.8 cm. water at 100 ml., followed by a slow decline. The bladder wall tension curve had an approximately symmetrical course with a slow incline, a maximum mean of 10.15 N./cm.2 at 350 ml. and a subsequent slow decline. CONCLUSIONS: The different curves of intravesical pressure and bladder wall tension show that these parameters are not identical. Combining detrusor pressure with bladder wall thickness enables further information on detrusor function to be obtained. Therefore, the clinical assessment of bladder wall tension may become a promising supplement to standard diagnostic methods with predictive value in patients with disturbed micturition.     

Ultrasound detrusor wall thickness measurement in combination with bladder capacity can safely detect detrusor underactivity in adult men

Purpose

Detrusor underactivity (DU) has lately gained increasing interest because this bladder condition is an important cause of post-void residual urine and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in adult men. Until now, DU can only be diagnosed by pressure–flow measurement. Therefore, the aim of this study was to search for noninvasive tests which can safely predict DU in adult men.

Methods

Unselected, treatment-naïve male patients aged ≥40 years with uncomplicated, non-neurogenic LUTS were prospectively evaluated. All men received—after standard assessment of male LUTS–ultrasound detrusor wall thickness (DWT) measurements at a bladder filling ≥250 ml and computer urodynamic investigation. DU was defined as incomplete bladder emptying (>30 ml) in the absence of bladder outlet obstruction or dysfunctional voiding. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was used to determine parameters and threshold values for DU.

Results

The study population consisted of 143 consecutive men with medians of 62 years, IPSS 16, and prostate volume 35 ml. In total, 33 patients (23.1 %) had DU. CART analysis showed that all men with DWT ≤ 1.23 mm plus bladder capacity >445 ml had DU. This multivariate model has a sensitivity of 42 %, specificity of 100 %, positive predictive value of 100 %, and negative predictive value of 85 %.

Conclusions

This study showed that all men with ultrasound DWT ≤ 1.23 mm + bladder capacity >445 ml have DU. Combination of these two tests could help physicians to diagnose DU noninvasively in clinical practice. A prospective independent study should confirm these results.

     

Participation of the pudendal innervation in the detrusor overactivity of the detrusor and in the overactive bladder syndrome

ObjectivesThe functional symptoms of the filling phase and detrusor overactivity are two inter-related dysfunctions of the lower urinary tract. We have aimed to study the participation of the lesion of the pudendal nerve in both urinary dysfunctions.Material and methodsA cross-sectional cutoff study in a series of 108 women was carried out. The study consisted in the questioning on the presence of functional symptoms of the lower urinary tract, cystomanometry and determination of peripheral pudendal nerve latency time, selective electromyography of the external anal sphincter and determination of the sacral reflex latency time.ResultsA tendency was observed towards significance between the presence of pollakiuria amplitude of motor unit potentials (greater in presence of pollakiuria) and the presence of urgency-incontinence and time of sacral latency (greater in the presence of urge incontinence) and a significant relation between the score on the King's Health Questionnaire and peripheral pudendal nerve latency time. Regarding detrusor hyperactivity, greater sacral latency time was observed in patients with overactivity with tendency towards significance.ConclusionsThere is a relation between pudendal innervation alterations and presence of symptoms in the filling phase and detrusor overactivity. This relation would explain the therapeutic action of the perineal rehabilitation on these dysfunctions.     

Is sensory urgency part of the same spectrum of bladder dysfunction as detrusor overactivity?

It has been suggested that the urogynecological diagnosis of sensory urgency is an early form of detrusor overactivity and may be just earlier in the spectrum of disease. The former term is generally defined as increased perceived bladder sensation during filling, a low first desire to void and low bladder capacity in the absence of recorded urinary tract infection (UTI) or detrusor overactivity. The aims of this study are to determine the prevalence and associations of sensory urgency in comparison with detrusor overactivity, and whether sensory urgency is shown to be in the same spectrum of bladder dysfunction as detrusor overactivity. Five hundred and ninety-two women attending for an initial urogynecological/urodynamic assessment took part in this prospective study. In addition to a full clinical assessment, all women underwent free uroflowmetry, residual urine volume measurement (by vaginal ultrasound) and multichannel filling and voiding cystometry. Data were separated into those having (1) sensory urgency or (2) detrusor overactivity. Apart from prevalence figures, comparative associations were sought for (3) age; (4) parity; (5) presenting symptoms; (6) presence of at least one (medically) documented UTI in the previous 12 months; (7) two or more (recurrent) documented UTIs in the previous 12 months; (8) prior hysterectomy; (9) prior continence surgery; (10) menopause; (11) menopause and HRT use; (12) sign of clinical stress leakage; (13) retroverted uterus; (14) anterior vaginal wall prolapse; (15) uterine prolapse; (16) posterior vaginal wall prolapse; (17) apical vaginal prolapse; (18, 19) maximum, average urine flow rate (MUFR, AUFR) centiles, Liverpool Nomograms; (20) median residual urine volume (RUV) in milliliters; (21, 22) voiding difficulty: VD1,VD2 (MUFR, AUFR under 10th centile Liverpool Nomogram and/or RUV >30 ml); (23) diagnosis of urodynamic stress incontinence and (24) diagnosis of uterine and/or vaginal prolapse (grade >0). The prevalence of sensory urgency was 13%. The only differences in the clinical and urodynamic profiles of it and detrusor overactivity were (1) significantly increased prevalence of the symptom of urge incontinence and (2) (by definition) abnormal detrusor contractions during filling cystometry in women with detrusor overactivity. Overall, sensory urgency and detrusor overactivity appear to be part of the same spectrum of bladder dysfunction.     

Increase in detrusor wall thickness indicates bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in men

Detrusor wall thickness decreases continuously while the bladder fills to 50% of its capacity and then remains constant until 100%. Therefore, detrusor wall measurements were performed in patients when the bladder was filled to maximum capacity only. Mean detrusor wall thickness for unobstructed (n = 14), equivocal (n=23) and obstructed patients (n=33) were 1.33, 1.62 and 2.4 mm, respectively (P <0.001). With increasing CHESS letters and CHESS numbers, the thickness of the detrusor wall increased as well (P< 0.001). The positive predictive value of detrusor wall measurement (95.5% for a cut-off value greater than or equal to 2 mm) was superior to all other predictors investigated. The thickness of the detrusor wall increases depending on the extent of BOO. Both constrictive and compressive BOO lead to an increase in detrusor wall thickness. BOO is found in 95.5% of men with a detrusor wall thickness greater than or equal to 2 mm. Measuring the thickness of the detrusor wall can be used as a screening test to detect BOO.     

Botulinum toxin treatment for overactive bladder and detrusor overactivity in adults

Objectives

To review the evidence in support of botulinum toxin (BoNT-A) for overactive bladder and detrusor overactivity in adults.

Methods

A search of Medline and Pubmed was undertaken using the search terms ‘botulinum toxin’ with ‘overactive bladder’, ‘detrusor overactivity’, ‘randomised trial’ and ‘trial’. A narrative review was undertaken based on the papers identified.

Results

Only four randomised trials reporting the effects of botulinum toxin in this group of patients exist, alongside three systematic reviews and numerous uncontrolled series. Overall, BoNT-A appears an effective treatment modality, with significant and clinically meaningful reductions in urinary symptoms. Urgency and urgency incontinence episodes appear more responsive than absolute frequency. The side effect profile can be predicted from the mode of action of BoNT-A and includes voiding difficulty and urinary tract infection. Few data exist comparing the efficacy and safety of different doses, nor directly comparing the two common preparations, onabotulintum toxin A with apobotulinum toxin A. The cost-effectiveness of BoNT-A remains to be fully evaluated.

Conclusions

BoNT-A is an emerging treatment for overactive bladder and detrusor overactivity. The data available to date are of moderate quality with few large randomised trials. However, the drug appears to be effective and safe, although further work is required to identify the most cost-effective dose and treatment interval for maximum benefit.     

Lidocaine cystometry in the diagnosis of bladder overactivity

The effect of intravesical lidocaine was studied in a group of patients with symptoms of urinary urgency with or without incontinence. Provocative water cystometry failed to demonstrate signs of unstable detrusor but all patients presented a continuous, steep rise of detrusor pressure at the end phase of filling. Repeat cystometry was performed after the bladder had been treated with 3 g lidocaine intravesically for 20 minutes. In the majority of patients, no change in configuration of the cystometrogram was noted. In a group of patients, a decrease of detrusor pressure occurred and there was also an influence on phasic bladder contractions. In three patients, phasic detrusor contractions developed after lidocaine. Thus, intravesical lidocaine seems to be a useful tool to increase the precision of the urodynamic diagnosis in bladder overactivity.     

Measurement of detrusor wall thickness in women with overactive bladder by transvaginal and transabdominal sonography

Introduction and hypothesis  

Women with overactive bladder (OAB) might have a greater detrusor wall thickness (DWT) suggestive of detrusor overactivity (DO).     

Review on ultrasound measurement of bladder or detrusor wall thickness in women: techniques, diagnostic utility, and use in clinical trials

Purpose

To provide a narrative review of literature evaluating ultrasound techniques for the measurement of bladder wall hypertrophy in women as an alternative to invasive urodynamic assessment for the diagnosis of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Methods

A literature review was performed using PubMed and all paper journals of congress abstracts searching for articles on ultrasound measurement of bladder wall thickness (BWT) or detrusor wall thickness (DWT) published between January 1990 and May 2012. Each study was classified with a level of evidence using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine classification (2009).

Results

Ultrasound measurement of bladder wall hypertrophy is not standardised, and techniques vary widely according to anatomical approach, ultrasound frequency and other factors. This review compared transvaginal, translabial/transperineal and suprapubic approaches for ultrasound BWT/DWT measurement. BWT/DWT measurements correlated well with urodynamic diagnoses of detrusor overactivity (DO) using all three ultrasound techniques. BWT values were consistently higher in women with DO than in women with stress incontinence, although threshold values for the differential diagnosis of DO varied between clinical studies (5.0–6.5 mm using transvaginal ultrasound). Few data were available on the use of translabial or suprapubic ultrasound in women. Inter- and intraobserver variability was higher with transperineal and suprapubic ultrasound, and these techniques appear less reliable than transvaginal ultrasound. Studies suggest that BWT is reduced in response to antimuscarinic therapy in women with overactive bladder or DO.

Conclusions

Data from clinical trials suggest that transvaginal ultrasound measurement of BWT is a reliable method of diagnosing DO in women with LUTS, and BWT decreases during antimuscarinic therapy.