Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Urodynamics has been used in the investigation of bladder dysfunction since the 1950s, although the first report describing bladder pressure measurement dates from 1882 (Mosso & Pellacani 1882). In its broadest sense, the term incorporates any test of urinary tract function, although in practice it is applied to the study of the lower urinary tract – and thus allows the two functions of the bladder (storage and voiding) to be measured. The techniques range from simple noninvasive tests such as uroflowmetry to invasive tests such as cystometry, urethral pressure profile, sphincter electromyography (EMG), and more advanced investigations including ambulatory urodynamics and videourodynamics. However, the test with the central role is cystometry and the term ‘urodynamics’ is sometimes used incorrectly as a synonym for this investigation. In fact, the word ‘urodynamics’ was first used in the Journal of Urology in 1962 by Davis and Zimskind (Davis & Zimskind 1962). Although several