Role of perineal sonography in the evaluation of patients with stress urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the role of perineal sonography in diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with stress urinary incontinence and 17 age-matched control patients were included in the study. Perineal sonography was carried out in both groups to evaluate the role of this technique in the diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence. By using the posterior edge of the symphysis pubis as a reference point, posterior urethra-vesical angle (beta angle) and the angle between the vertical axis and urethral axis(alpha angle) were measured at rest and on straining. Bladder neck mobility was evaluated only at the cephalocaudal plane by measuring the desensus diameter. RESULTS: Posterior urethro-vesical angle (beta angle) was found to be significantly different between the study and control groups both at rest and on straining (P < 0.05). The angle between the vertical axis and urethral axis (alpha angle) was found to be significantly different between study and control groups only on straining (P < 0.05). Cephalocaudal distance (desensus diameter) was longer in patients with stress urinary incontinence (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Perineal sonography has an important role in diagnosing patients with stress urinary incontinence.