Sonographic urethrocystography — Methods and application in patients with genuine stress incontinence

Radiologic urethrocystography has recognizable disadvantages including the risk of excessive irradiation, the time required for the test, and the discomfort of the patient. In women with genuine stress inontinence sonographic urethrocystography provides similar information to that obtained by conventional radiological procecdures without side effects. Among the numerous techniques, perineal scanning and introital sonography are particularly suitable for dynamic examination of the bladder, the urethra, and the urethrovesical junction. Moreover, concomitant sonographic urethrocystography complements pressure measurement regardless of the type of urodynamic investigation, and thus helps to exclude tonometric artifacts. All the sonographic observations are easier to review from video records than from still pictures. Ultrasound is helpful for selection of the proper operative procedure and above all can be applied during surgical correction of female incontinence, irrespective of vaginal or abdominal approach.