Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Role of Ultrasound in the Investigation of Urinary and Fecal Incontinence

  • Chapter
Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery

  • 530 Accesses

Abstract

Ultrasound was first introduced into medicine in 1942 by the Viennese neurologist Dussik for locating brain tumors. In 1958 Donald used this diagnostic method for intrauterine measurements of the fetus. Since then, ultrasonic investigation has become an indispensable part of the diagnostic repertoire in obstetrics and gynecology [1]. Attempts to determine the functional interactions within the pelvis, including the bladder, the urethra and the pelvic floor, have prompted the study of urethrovesical relationships by numerous methods, mostly radiographic techniques of urethrocystography [2, 3]. Ultrasound has many advantages over other imaging systems in that it is possible to visualize fluid-filled structures without the use of contrast medium. Ultrasound allows soft tissues to be seen, including the kidney, the bladder and its wall, the urethra and the urethral sphincter. The main advantage with ultrasound is that there is no ionizing radiation used and this means that tests may be repeated as frequently as required.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Donald I, MacVican J, Brown T. Examination of abdominal masses by pulsed ultrasound. Lancet 1958;i:1188–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Nargund VH, Lomas K, Sapherson DA, Flannigan GM, Stewart PA. Radiographer-performed abdominal and pelvic ultrasound: its value in a urology out-patient clinic. Br J Urol 1994,73:366–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. White RD, McQuown D, McCarthy TA, Ostergard DR. Real time ultrasonography in evaluation of urinary stress incontinence. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1980;138:235–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Spencer J, Lindsell D, Mastorakou I. Ultrasonography compared with intravenous urography in the investigation of adults with haematuria. BMJ 1990;301:1074–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ellenbogen PH, Scheible FW, Talner LB. Sensitivity of Gray scale ultrasound in detecting upper urinary tract obstruction. Am J Roentgenol 1978;130:731–6.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Orgaz RE, Gomez AZ, Ramirez CT. Application of bladder ultrasonography I. Bladder content and residue. J Urol 1981;125:174–6.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Henriksson L, Marsal K. Bedside ultrasound diagnosis of residual urine volume. Arch Gynecol Obstet 1982;231:129–33.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ouslander JG, Simmons S, Tuico E, Nigam JG, Fingold S, Bates Jensen B, Schnelle JF. Use of a portable ultrasound device to measure post-void residual volume among incontinent nursing home residents. J Am Geriatr Soc 1994, 42:1189–92.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Coombes GM, Millard RJ. The accuracy of portable ultrasound scanning in the measurement of residual urine volume. J Urol 1994, 152:2083–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Brandt TD, Harrey N, Calenoff L, Greenberg M, Kaplan P, Nanninga J. Ultrasound evaluation of the urinary system in spinal chord injury patients. Radioliology 1981;141:473–8.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kohorn EI, Scioscia AL, Jeanty P. Ultrasound cystourethrography by perineal scanning for the assessment of female stress urinary incontinence. Obstet Gynecol 1986;68:269–72.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Koelbl H, Bernaschek G, Wolf G. A comparative study of perineal ultrasound scanning and urethrocystography in patients with genuine stress incontinence. Arch Obstet Gynecol 1988;244:39–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Gordon D, Pearce M, Norton P, Stanton S. Comparison of ultrasound and lateral chain urethrocystography in the determination of bladder neck descent. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1989;160:182–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Schaer GN, Koechli OR, Schuessler B, Haller U. Perineal ultrasound for evaluating the bladder neck in urinary stress incontinence. Obstet Gynecol 1995;85:220.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Schaer GN, Koechli OR, Schuessler B, Haller U. Usefulness of ultrasound contrast medium in perineal sonography for visualization of bladder neck funneling-first observations. Urology 1996; 47:452.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Schaer GN, Koechli OR, Schuessler B, Haller U. Can simultaneous perineal sonography and urethrocystometry help explain urethral pressure variations? Neurourol Urodyn 1997;16:31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Martan A, Halaska M, Voigt R, Drbohlav B. Sonographie des Blasenhals-Urethra-Uberganges vor und nach Beckenbodentraining mit Kolpexin. Zentralbl Gynakol 1994, 116:416–18.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Peschers UM, Fanger G; Schaer GN, Vodusek DB, DeLancey JO, Schuessler B. Bladder neck mobility in continent nulliparous women. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 2001;108(3):320–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Miller JM, Perucchini D, Carchidi LT, DeLancey JO, Ashton-Miller J. Pelvic floor muscle contraction during a cough and decreased vesical neck mobility. Obstet Gynecol 2001;97(2):255–60.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Atherton MJ, Stanton SL. A comparison of bladder neck movement and elevation after tension-free vaginal tape and colposuspension. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 2000;107(11):1366–70.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Martan A, Masata, Halaska M, Voigt R. Ultrasound imaging of the lower urinary system in women after Burch colposuspension. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2001 17(1):58–64.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Schaer G, Koelbl H, Voigt R, Merz E, Anthuber Ch, Niemayer R, Ralph G, Bader W, Fink D, Grischke E, Hanzal E, Koechli OR, Koehler K, Munz E, Perucchini D, Peschers U, Sam C, Schwenke A. Recommendations of the German Association of Urogynecology on functional sonography of the lower female urinary tract. Int Urogynecol J 1996;7:105–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Koelbl H, Bernaschek G. A new method for sonographic urethrocystography and simultaneous pressure-flow measurements. Obstet Gynecol 1989;74:417–22.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Hanzal E, Joura EM, Haeusler G, Koelbl H. Influence of catheterisation on the results of sonographic urethrocystography in patients with genuine stress incontinence. Arch Gynecol Obstet 1994, 255:189–93.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Koelbl H, Bernaschek G, Deutinger J. Assessment of female urinary incontinence by introital sonography. J Clin Ultrasound 1990;18:370–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Quinn MJ, Beynon J, McMortensen NUJ, Smith PJB. Transvaginal endosonography: a new method to study the anatomy of the lower urinary tract in urinary stress incontinence. Br J Urol 1988;62:414–17.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Wise BG, Burton G, Cutner A, Cardozo L. Effect of vaginal ultrasound probe on lower urinary tract function. Br J Urol 1992;70:12–16.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Hol M, Van Bolhuis C, Vierhout ME. Vaginal ultrasound studies of bladder neck mobility. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1995, 102:47–53.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Khullar V, Cardozo LD, Salvatore S, Hill S. Ultrasound: a noninvasive screening test for detrusor instability. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1996;103:904–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Mouritsen L, Strandberg C, Frimodt-Moller C. Bladder neck anatomy and mobility: effect of vaginal ultrasound probe. Br J Urol 1994,74:749–52.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Mouritsen L, Strandberg C. Vaginal ultrasonography versus colpo-cysto-urethrography in the evaluation of female urinary incontinence. Acta Obstet Scand 1994, 73:338–42.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Bergman A, Vermesh M, Ballard AC, Platt LD. Role of ultrasound in urinary incontinence. Urology 1989;33:443–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Carey M, Dwyer PL. Position and mobility of the urethrovesical junction in continent and stress incontinent women before and after successful surgery. Aust NZ J Obstet Gynaecol 1991;31:279–84.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Haylen BT, Frazer MI, Sutherst JR, West CR. Transvaginal ultrasound in the measurement of bladder volumes in women: preliminary report. Br J Urol 1989;63:152–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Iwamoto K, Kigawa J, Minagawa Y, Miura H, Terakawa N. Transvaginal ultrasonographic diagnosis of bladder-wall invasion in patients with cervical cancer. Obstet Gynecol 1994, 83:217–19.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Nishizawa O, Takada H, Sakamoto F. Combined urodynamic and ultrasonic techniques: a new diagnostic method for the lower urinary tract. Tohoku J Exp Med 1982;136:231–2.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Shapeero LG, Friedland GW, Perkash I. Transrectal sonographic voiding cystourethrography: studies in neuromuscular bladder dysfunction. Am J Radiol 1983;141:83–90.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Brown MC, Sutherst J, Murray A. Potential use of ultrasound in place of X-ray fluoroscopy in urodynamics. Br J Urol 1985;57:88–90.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Kuo HC, Chang SC, Hsu T. Application of transrectal ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. Eur Urol 1994, 26:77–84.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Koelbl H, Bernaschek G. Cystosonography: a diagnostic adjunct for the staging of advanced gynecologic malignancies. Obstet Gynecol 1988;72:951–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Kirschner-Hermanns R, Klein HM, Muller U, Schaefer W, Jakse G. Intra-urethral ultrasound in women with stress incontinence. Br J Urol 1994, 74:315–18.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Chancellor MB, Liu JB, Rivas DA, Karasick S, Bagley DH, Goldberg BB. Intraoperative endo-luminal ultrasound evaluation of urethral diverticula. J Urol 1995, 153:72–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Campani R, Bottinelli O, Calliada F, Coscia D. The latest in ultrasound: three-dimensional imaging. Part II. Eur J Radiol 1998; 27:183–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Marks LS, Dorey FJ, Macairan ML, Park C, deKernion JB. Three-dimensional ultrasound device for rapid determination of bladder volume. Urology 1997;50:341–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Khullar V, Salvatore S, Cardozo LD, Hill S, Kelleher CJ: Three dimensional ultrasound of the urethra and urethral sphincter — a new diagnostic technique. Neurourol Urodyn 1994, 13:352–3.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Umek WH, Obermair A, Stutterecker D, Hausler G, Leodolter S, Hanzal E. Three-dimensional ultrasound of the female urethra: comparing transvaginal and transrectal scanning. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2001;17(5):425–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Sentovich SM, Blatchford GJ, Rivela LJ, Lin K, Thorson AG, Christensen MA. Diagnosing anal sphincter injury with transanal ultrasound and manometry. Dis Colon Rectum 1997;40:1430–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Sultan AH, Nicholls RJ, Kamm MA, Hudson CN, Beynon J, Bartram CI. Anal endosonography and correlation with in vitro and in vivo anatomy. Br J Surg 1993;80:508–11.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Sultan AH, Kamm MA, Talbot IC, Nicholls RJ, Bartram CI. Anal endosonography for identifying external sphincter defects confirmed histologically. Br J Surg 1994;81:463–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Sultan AH, Kamm MA, Hudson CN, Thomas JM, Bartram CI. Anal sphincter disruption during vaginal delivery. N Engl J Med 1993;329:1905–11.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Campbell DM, Behan M, Donnelly VS, O’Herlihy C, O’Connell PR. Endosonographic assessment of postpartum anal sphincter injury using a 120 degree sector scanner. Clin Radiol 1996;51:559–61.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Peschers U, DeLancey JOL, Schaer G, Schuessler B. Exoanal ultrasound of the anal sphincter: normal anatomy and sphincter defects. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1997;104:999–1003.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Professor Heinz Koelbl

Authors
  1. Professor Heinz Koelbl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Urogynecology Unit, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    H. P. Drutz BA, MD, FRC(C), FACOG, FSOGC

  2. Division of Urology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    S. Herschorn BSc, MDCM, FRCSC

  3. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    N. E. Diamant MD, FRCP(C)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2003 Springer-Verlag London Limited

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Koelbl, H. (2003). Role of Ultrasound in the Investigation of Urinary and Fecal Incontinence. In: Drutz, H.P., Herschorn, S., Diamant, N.E. (eds) Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-84628-238-1_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-84628-238-1_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-84628-237-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84628-238-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation