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Neurophysiological abnormalities in genuine female stress urinary incontinence
Author(s) -
VARMA J. S.,
FIDAS A.,
SMITH A. N.,
CHISHOLM G. D.,
McINNES A.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1988.tb06534.x
Subject(s) - medicine , external anal sphincter , urethral sphincter , pudendal nerve , sphincter , reflex , urinary incontinence , urology , urethra , stress incontinence , anal sphincter , clitoris , dorsum , anal canal , anatomy , anesthesia , surgery , rectum
Summary. Perineal sensory and motor function was investigated in 28 women with genuine stress incontinence of urine and compared with a matched control group. Electrosensitivity of the dorsal nerve of the clitoris and of the urethral mucosa was significantly diminished in these patients (eight measurements ‘insensitive’). Three different reflex latency measurements (dorsal nerve to external anal sphincter, dorsal nerve to urethral sphincter, urethral mucosa to external anal sphincter) were prolonged in incontinence (14 absent reflexes). Mean motor unit potential duration of the external anal sphincter was also prolonged, reflecting an early neuropathy. Anorectal manometry detected significantly weaker squeeze pressures in stress incontinence although other variables were unaffected.