MECHANICAL VERSUS VISUAL EVALUATION OF URINARY FLOW CURVES AND PATTERNS

Flow curves from 100 consecutive patients were obtained using the Urod yn 1000 mictiograph. Four observers evaluated the flow curves blindly, i.e. without access to the mechanically estimated values. Further, th e flow curve pattern was decided upon in each case. The 4 observers ag reed very meticulously in the evaluation while they disagreed with the mechanically obtained results. The visually read values were signific antly lower than the mechanically determined ones. At the same time th e difference in Qmax was most pronounced in abnormal curves. In conclu sion the mechanical evaluation of uroflow curves may be misleading and should not replace the visual evaluation.