Premium
Neurophysiological Assessment of the Central Motor Pathway to the External Urethral Sphincter in Man
Author(s) -
THIRY A. J.,
DELTENRE P. F.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
british journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 0007-1331
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.1989.tb05947.x
Subject(s) - urination , urethral sphincter , external anal sphincter , pelvic floor , neurophysiology , medicine , motor cortex , sphincter , scalp , stimulus (psychology) , urinary incontinence , physical medicine and rehabilitation , neuroscience , psychology , anatomy , urinary system , surgery , anal canal , stimulation , rectum , psychotherapist
Summary— A recently developed neurophysiological method by which the motor cortex in man can be electrically stimulated has been applied to the assessment of the central motor pathway to the external urethral sphincter. It was observed that there was parallel activation of the anal sphincter, the pelvic floor and the lower limb muscles, voluntary facilitation and marked inhibition during micturition. This method can be used to assess the volitional and the various segmental and suprasegmental influences on the behaviour of the external urethral sphincter. Unfortunately, the poor tolerance of subjects to the scalp sensations caused by the electrical stimulus is a major limitation to its clinical use, though this should be obviated by the introduction of a cortical magnetic stimulator.