BLADDER NECK ANATOMY AND MOBILITY - EFFECT OF VAGINAL ULTRASOUND PROBE

Objective To evaluate the effect of a vaginal ultrasound probe on blad der neck anatomy and mobility. Patients and methods Twenty women, 15 w ith urinary incontinence and five with other urological complaints, we re studied. Colpocysto-urethrography (CCU) during rest, Valsalva and w ithholding manoeuvres were compared with and without simultaneous vagi nal endosonography. The CCU diagnoses and measurements of bladder neck position and mobility in relation to the symphysis pubis were compare d with and without the probe inserted. A small, 7 MHz vaginal probe (B ruel and Kjaer, type 1846) was used with the scanning field 45 degrees to the long axis of the probe. Results The CCU diagnoses as well as t he measurements of bladder neck position and mobility relative to the symphysis pubis were unaffected by the insertion of this probe. Conclu sion Vaginal ultrasonography is a minimally invasive technique; it is convenient for routine, first-line evaluation of bladder neck anatomy and mobility in incontinent women.