Urodynamic Studies
Please report to the Feldberg Building Information Desk through the main entrance of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center-East Campus. They will direct you to the 3 rd Floor-Feldberg Cystoscopy Suite Waiting Room using the Reismann elevators (left of the information desk). The waiting room is across the hall from the Pain Clinic waiting room. Please call 7-7624 from the waiting room to inform the cystoscopy staff you have arrived.
You have an appointment for urodynamic study at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Please read the following instructions prior to your visit.
- Try to come with a full bladder but do not make yourself uncomfortably full. If you are on an intermittent catheterization program, catheterize yourself as usual.
- Please bring a copy of all your medications including prescriptions and non-prescriptions.
- Eat and Drink as you normally would. Do not drink extra fluid—just continue with your normal routine.
- If you become ill or have an elevated temperature, please call and cancel the test. You should be in your usual state of health for these tests.
- The test takes approximately 30 minutes to 90 minutes.
- Plan to be at the hospital approximately 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time.
- Please fill out the questionnaire prior to your appointment. Please document fluid intake and output, including episodes of incontinence. This provides information about bladder capacity, the frequency of passage of urine and episodes of incontinence and getting up at night to urinate. The questionnaire can also outline other problems such as excessive fluid intake.
What to Expect
Urodynamics is the study of how the body stores and releases urine. Urodynamic tests help your doctor or nurse see how well your bladder and sphincter muscles work and can help explain symptoms such as: incontinence, frequent urination, sudden, strong urges to urinate, problems starting a urine stream, painful urination, problems emptying your bladder completely, recurrent urinary tract infections.
Your study may include any one or more of the following tests:
Uroflowmetry (Measurement of Urine Speed and Volume): A simple test with a uroflowmeter that automatically measures the amount of urine and the flow rate. You may be asked to urinate privately into a toilet that contains a collection device and scale. This test will be abnormal if the bladder muscle is weak or urine flow is obstructed.
Measurement of Postvoid Residual: After you have finished, you may still have some urine, usually only an ounce or two, remaining in your bladder. To measure this postvoid residual, the nurse may remove it with a catheter, a thin tube that can be gently glided into the urethra. Local anesthetic will be used.
Cystometry (Measurement of Bladder Pressure): A cystometrogram (CMG) measures how much pressure builds up inside your bladder as it stores urine, how full it is when you feel the urge to urinate.
Cystoscopy: A very small camera is used to look inside the bladder.
Pressure Flow Study: This study is sometimes performed after the CMG. You will be asked to empty your bladder so that the catheter can measure the pressures required to urinate. This study helps to identify bladder outlet obstruction that men experience with prostate enlargement. Bladder outlet obstruction is less common in women.
Video Urodynamics: Urodynamic tests can be performed with equipment to take pictures of the bladder during filling and emptying. Contrast medium may be given via the catheter and your bladder will show up on the x-ray. You may be asked to cough during the x ray.
After the Test
You may have mild discomfort for a few hours after these tests. You may experience some frequent urination and slight burning the first few times you void after the test. Infrequently, the urine is blood tinged. These are both due to catheter placements and resolve quickly. Your doctor may also give you an antibiotic to take after the procedure. If you have signs of infection—including pain, chills, or fever—you should call your doctor.
You will get the results after the tests are completed.
