Barts and The London Urology Centre
Urodynamic investigations are tests that assess how your bladder is working and is also used to assess the flow of your urine. Urodynamics is used to diagnose:
The main aim of this test is to try and recreate your symptoms and provide the urology team with vital information in order to provide the right diagnosis and treatment plan for you.
You will be asked to provide a sample of urine when you arrive. The urology nurse specialist and doctor will discuss your symptoms with you prior to test, this will help formulate the correct diagnosis after the testing procedure is completed.
The actual test involves a small tube being passed into your bladder through your urethra and another one which is passed into your rectum. This procedure is done while you are awake and lubricating anaesthetic gel is used to numb your urethra prior to inserting the tube.
The tube in your bladder is used to record pressure in the bladder – the very same tube in your bladder will be used to fill your bladder with sterile water. The tube in your rectum is used to measure your abdominal pressure. Both tubes are connected to the computer which records any changes within your bladder during the water filling process.
You will be asked questions to find out when you first feel the need to pass urine and if you can ‘hold on’ past a particular point. You will also be asked when the urge to empty your bladder becomes strong and the doctor will ask you to cough to establish any leakage.
Once your bladder is comfortably full you will be asked to pass urine in a special toilet to establish the ‘flow rate’. You will be asked to pass urine while the tubes are still in, as this allows us to gather extremely useful information about how your bladder empties. The urology team will be able to give you a result after your test.
Video-urodynamics
Vide-urodynamics involves the same process as the urodynamics, only contrast dye is used instead of water. This enables us to take x-rays of the bladder during the filling and after emptying your bladder. The x-rays are taken once the bladder is comfortably full with the liquid dye.
Address for our clinic:
3rd floor
Ultrasound
Outpatients Department
St Barts Hospital