Cystoscopic findings in women with minimal and maximal lower urinary tract symptoms

Background

Glomerulations are not specific for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). Controversy exists about whether cystoscopic findings differ between patients with and without lower urinary tract symptoms. We sought to compare the prevalence of cystoscopic findings in women with “no or minimal” urinary symptoms to those with a “high” symptom burden.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study performed at a University Educational Facility. Participants in this study were part of a larger prospective study, in which female patients scheduled to undergo routine gynecologic procedures were all consented for cystoscopy with hydrodistension (CWHD). We defined the “minimally symptomatic group” as those with ≤1 on each of the O’Leary/Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI) subscores and without history of IC/BPS. The “highly symptomatic” cohort of women had composite ICSI score ≥12 and a Burning/Pain subscore of 4 or 5. All were non-smokers.

Results

A total of 84 women underwent CWHD, with 33 having minimal symptoms and 51 being highly symptomatic. The two groups were not statistically different when assessing for ‘any glomerulations’ compared to ‘no glomerulations.’ However, minimally symptomatic women had an eight-fold lower prevalence of significant glomerulations than highly symptomatic women (3.0% minimally symptomatic vs. 23.5% highly symptomatic, P<0.05.)

Conclusions

Extensive glomerulations (≥10 in 3 or 4 quadrants) are rare in women with minimal urinary symptoms. These findings contrast with prior limited prospective data which quoted similar incidence of glomerulations in IC/BPS patients and asymptomatic patients. This study highlights the importance of evaluating objective evidence on CWHD and merits further investigation as part of the ongoing conversation regarding the definition of bladder health and pathology

Neuromodulation for the treatment of urinary incontinence

The prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) in the United States ranges from 10% - 30%. The mainstay of treatment is anticholinergic medication. All agents have significant side effects and at least 30% of patients fail to respond. This paper reviews neuromodulation which involves the use of electrical stimulation of either the sacral or peripheral nerves to modify the behavior of the bladder. It is an option for patients who either cannot tolerate medications or fail therapy.

The painful bladder: urinary tract infection and interstitial cystitis in women

Irritative voiding symptoms in women are most often due to uncomplicated urinary tract infection. A cost-effective approach to the treatment of urinary tract infections is a reasonable first step. However, in patients who have persistent or frequently recurrent symptoms, a more thorough evaluation is warranted. These women may be found to have interstitial cystitis, requiring further evaluation. While interstitial cystitis remains a difficult disease to treat, a multi-modality therapy provides excellent symptom relief.

Evaluation of urinary incontinence and voiding dysfunction in women

Urinary incontinence currently affects 33 million American women. In the next 30 years the population over 60 years will increase by 80-90%. This will result in a tremendous increase in patients suffering this condition. It is therefore not feasible for evaluation and treatment to be limited to specialists. Primary care physicians must be comfortable performing basic evaluations which will enable them to formulate a diagnosis and conservative treatment plan. This article outlines a practical approach.

Spontaneous extrusion of sacral nerve implant secondary to massive weight loss

Sacral neuromodulation (Interstim, Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota) is a recognized treatment for refractory urgency, frequency, and urge incontinence. Revision rates range from 10-33% mainly for pain over the implantable pulse generator site (IPG) or lead migration [Hassouna et al. J Urol 163:1849-1854, 2000; Schmidt et al. J Urol 162:352-357, 1999; Spinelli et al. J Urol 166:541-545, 2001; Swinn et al. Eur Urol 38:439-443, 2000; Weil et al. Eur Urol 37:161-171, 2000; Evaraert et al. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 11:231-236, 2000]. We report a case of spontaneous extrusion of the IPG through the subcutaneous fat and skin secondary to marked weight loss after gastric bypass surgery. Continued weight loss resulted in multiple surgical interventions and eventual removal of the device.

Bladder Perforation During Tension-Free Vaginal Tape Procedures

OBJECTIVE

To estimate whether rates of bladder perforation decrease with increasing surgical experience.

METHODS

We performed a review of all patients undergoing a tension-free vaginal tape procedure performed by senior resident physicians under the guidance of a single surgeon. Physician experience was assessed by sequentially assigning case numbers to each procedure for each resident. For analysis of learning curve, cases were grouped in fives (ie, first five representing cases 1 to 5, second five cases 6 to 10).

RESULTS

Twenty-three residents performed 278 procedures. The median number of cases performed was 13 (range 3 - 22); mean number was 12.1 (sd = +/- 5.6). The rate of perforation was 34.2% (95/278, 95% confidence interval 28.8-39.9%). Age and weight were significantly associated with perforation. The cystotomy group was, on average 4.5 years younger (P = .007) and 7.86 kg (17.3 lb) lighter (P < .001). Rate of injury in the first five series was 40.9%, 30.7% in second series of five, and 25.9% in the third series of five and was statistically significant (linear-by-linear association chi(2) = 4.286, df = 1, P = .038). The relationship between the incidence of cystotomy and the cumulative number of cases performed was inversely correlated. As the number of cases a resident completed increased, there was a slight tendency for cystotomy to decrease (P.033). On cystoscopic examination, residents missed 35 of the 95 injuries (37%, 95% confidence interval 27.8-46.9%).

CONCLUSION

A learning curve exists for tension-free vaginal tape procedures. Many injuries are missed on initial resident cystoscopic inspection, highlighting the need for comprehensive cystoscopic training during residency.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II-3.

Patients' satisfaction with and attitudes toward vaginal delivery

OBJECTIVE

To determine patient satisfaction with delivery mode and whether information on urinary incontinence would modify their decision.

STUDY DESIGN

Postpartum women completed an anonymous questionnaire regarding their delivery, complications, types of information received during pregnancy, and delivery and satisfaction with their mode of delivery. Various risk scenarios for urinary incontinence ranging from 10-50% were presented.

RESULTS

One hundred ninety-two ethnically and economically diverse patients responded: 86.4% reported receiving sufficient information on the risks of delivery, and 61.5% thought that cesarean section would not help prevent urinary/fecal incontinence. Irrespective of the magnitude of risk, few patients (5.7-21.9%) chose cesarean section to prevent urinary incontinence.

CONCLUSION

Patients were happy with their delivery mode. Most thought that they obtained sufficient information on the various types of delivery available. They would not have chosen a cesarean section over a vaginal delivery even if the risks of urinary incontinence were much higher than currently reported.

Patients’ knowledge of potential pelvic floor changes associated with pregnancy and delivery

Physicians cite pelvic floor injury as a major reason for Cesarean section as their personal preferred delivery mode. This study was undertaken to determine whether patients receive information about possible pelvic floor complications of pregnancy/delivery. Day 1 post-partum women completed a 52-item questionnaire assessing information given during routine antenatal care. Pelvic floor and general questions were intermixed. Of the 232 patients, the mean age was 26.9 years, with 59.5% white, 32.8% African-American and 7.7% other. Most (84.5%) had at least grade 12 education. The following percentage of patients reported receiving no information about: Kegel exercises 46.1%; episiotomy 51.3%; urinary incontinence 46.6%; fecal incontinence 80.6%; change in vaginal caliber 72.8%; neuropathy 84.9%. Counseling on all of these issues occurred significantly less frequently than education on general pregnancy topics. Our results suggest that knowledge and instruction of pelvic floor risks is very much lacking and provide us with an impetus to develop educational tools.

Transurethral resection of transvaginal tape

Urethral erosion is an uncommon complication after tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure. However, management is a challenge and morbidity significant because of the necessity to incise the urethra to gain access to the material. This is a report of a case of transurethral resection of such mesh. A 77-year-old women presented at 7 months postoperatively with complaints of incomplete emptying and persistent incontinence. Urodynamic testing and cystoscopy revealed intrinsic sphincter deficiency, an elevated post void residual and erosion of the TVT tape into the urethral lumen. The tape was removed without any incisions via an operative cystoscope and hysteroscopic scissors. All urinary symptoms resolved. Partial urethral transection can be managed successfully with transurethral resection of the material. This diagnosis should be considered in patients with incomplete emptying and recurrent incontinence.

The position of the urethrovesical junction after incontinence surgery: early postoperative changes

This study prospectively evaluated the position of the urethrovesical junction using the Q-tip angle to assess early postoperative changes for different anti-incontinence surgeries. All procedures resulted in a statistically significant change in resting angle from the intraoperative value. The mean change for the transvaginal tape was 25.74 degrees (27.43 to 3.28); Burch 11.18 degrees (-20.44 to -10.0) and fascia sling 13.9 degrees (26.57 to 15.68). The mean change in Q-tip angle was greater after transvaginal tape placement than after Burch ( p=0.000) and fascial sling ( p=0.022) procedures. These findings show that the resting position of the urethrovesical junction after surgery is different for all procedures. The transvaginal tape results in the greatest change in angle. This may help to negate the so-called 'tension-free' nature of the procedure. Surgeons need to be aware of this, as it may be an etiological factor in cases of late urinary retention and urethral erosion.

The role of electrodiagnostic techniques in the reprogramming of patients with a delayed suboptimal response to sacral nerve stimulation

Sacral neuromodulation is an approved therapy for frequency, urgency, urge incontinence and non-obstructive urinary retention. There are several recent reports on a subgroup of patients who are 'Iate failures' to therapy. This descriptive study aimed to determine whether the use of electrodiagnosis during reprogramming could provide objective data on device function in these patients and help direct therapy. We employed electrodiagnostic techniques to differentiate between those patients who could be reprogrammed in the office to a site of maximal response, those that required reoperation, and those in whom reoperation was unlikely to be successful. Our findings suggest that electrodiagnostic monitoring may help to direct future therapy in this group of patients who currently present a management challenge.

Episiotomy and perineal repair. An evaluation of resident education and experience

OBJECTIVE

To describe current training practices and experience with episiotomy and perineal repair in obstetrics and gynecology residency programs in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN

A questionnaire mailed to all directors of accredited programs in the United States for distribution to fourth-year residents in their last four months of training included 30 questions regarding formal teaching, supervision, experience and repair techniques.

RESULTS

A total of 297 of 1,177 (25.2%) residents, representing 47% of programs, responded. The response rates for the various program sizes were: 32.0% for < or = 12 residents, 29.5% for 13-19 residents, 24.6% for 20-24 residents and 18% for > or = 25 residents. Of the residents, 59.9% received no didactics on episiotomy repair techniques; 59.3% had no formal teaching on pelvic floor anatomy; and 27.7% of third-degree repairs were supervised by attending physicians. Of the respondents, 6.8% had repaired > 20 fourth-degree lacerations and 40.3%, > 20 third-degree lacerations. Ten percent of the graduates felt inadequately trained in perineal repair.

CONCLUSION

This survey of fourth-year residents from 47% of obstetric programs indicated that the majority of residents received no formal training in pelvic floor anatomy, episiotomy or perineal repair and, when engaged in such activities, had limited supervision.

Urethral instability: clinical and urodynamic characteristics

Filling cystometry was performed on 397 patients with lower urinary tract complaints. The overall prevalence of urethral instability was 12.6% (50/397). Of these 187 patients had detrusor instability (DI). Within the DI group, clinical and urodynamic characteristics were compared. Patients with an unstable urethra had a shorter functional urethral length (P = 0.005). For those with DI, 28 of 187 (15%) had urethral instability. Forty (21%) women had a decrease in maximal urethral pressure that preceded the detrusor contraction (type II DI). When those with type II DI were excluded, the difference in functional urethral length was not observed. Patients with type II DI experienced an earlier sensation of fullness of 228 mL compared with 283 mL for the other patients with DI (P = 0.001). There was a positive association between urethral instability and type II DI. Four different patterns of urethral pressure changes were observed. Based on these findings, it appears that a urethral abnormality may be the primary disorder in patients with type II DI. The differentiation of the various subtypes of urethral instability and DI might be important for directing therapy.

Treatment of intrinsic sphincter deficiency using autologous ear chondrocytes as a bulking agent

Intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) is frequently treated with collagen bulking at the bladder neck. The standard material used, Contigen, biodegrades over 3-19 months requiring repeated injections to maintain efficacy. The study objective was to evaluate use of autologous ear chondrocytes for treatment of ISD. Women with documented ISD had harvest of auricular cartilage. Chondrocytes were isolated from the cartilage and expanded in culture and formulated with calcium alginate to form an injectable gel. Thirty-two patients received a single outpatient injection just distal to the bladder neck. Outcome measures included voiding diary, quality-of-life scores, incontinence severity grading, and pad weight testing. Incontinence grading indicated 16 patients dry, and 10 improved at 12 months for a total of 26 of 32 (81.3%) dry and improved after one treatment. Only four patients had a 12-month pad weight test over 2.2 g. Quality-of-life scores improved significantly after treatment. There was a decrease in incontinence impact scores in all categories. The urogenital distress inventory declined for all categories except bladder emptying and lower abdominal pain. Endoscopic treatment of ISD with autologous chondrocytes is safe, effective, and durable with 50 % of patients dry 12 months after one injection. Twenty-six of 32 patients dry or improved at 3 months after the injection maintained the effect at the 12-month visit.

Treatment of intrinsic sphincter deficiency using autologous ear chondrocytes as a bulking agent

Intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) is frequently treated with collagen bulking at the bladder neck. The standard material used, Contigen, biodegrades over 3-19 months requiring repeated injections to maintain efficacy. The study objective was to evaluate use of autologous ear chondrocytes for treatment of ISD. Women with documented ISD had harvest of auricular cartilage. Chondrocytes were isolated from the cartilage and expanded in culture and formulated with calcium alginate to form an injectable gel. Thirty-two patients received a single outpatient injection just distal to the bladder neck. Outcome measures included voiding diary, quality-of-life scores, incontinence severity grading, and pad weight testing. Incontinence grading indicated 16 patients dry, and 10 improved at 12 months for a total of 26 of 32 (81.3%) dry and improved after one treatment. Only four patients had a 12-month pad weight test over 2.2 g. Quality-of-life scores improved significantly after treatment. There was a decrease in incontinence impact scores in all categories. The urogenital distress inventory declined for all categories except bladder emptying and lower abdominal pain. Endoscopic treatment of ISD with autologous chondrocytes is safe, effective, and durable with 50 % of patients dry 12 months after one injection. Twenty-six of 32 patients dry or improved at 3 months after the injection maintained the effect at the 12-month visit.

Supine empty stress test as a predictor of low valsalva leak point pressure

Our objective was to determine whether a positive supine empty stress test is predictive of a low Valsalva leak point pressure (< or =60 cm of water). Evaluation was carried out on 179 patients with a history of genuine stress incontinence confirmed with urodynamic testing. All patients had a supine stress test performed after voiding. Residual urine determinations were all <100 cc. A vesical Valsalva leak point pressure determination (cough and strain) was performed during multichannel urodynamics with 150 cc in the bladder. Urethral profilometry was performed at maximum capacity. There was a statistically significant relationship between a low leak point pressure and a positive supine empty stress test (P < 0.000). The supine empty stress test had a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 62.5% for the detection of a low leak point pressure. The negative predictive value was high at 90%. For the age group 50 years and younger the negative predictive value was 95%. However, there was no significant relationship between a positive supine empty stress test and a low maximal urethral closure pressure. We conclude that the supine empty stress test is a useful screening test for a low leak point pressure but not a low urethral closure pressure. Its high negative predictive value is useful in excluding the presence of a low leak point pressure and may help the clinician to determine which patients with genuine stress incontinence need further assessment of the dynamic function of the urethral sphincter.

Leak-point pressure: clinical application of values at two different volumes

A prospective analysis of 306 consecutive patients with genuine stress incontinence was performed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of additional leak-point pressure (LPP) determination at 200 ml. LPP values at both volumes were compared to maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) in an attempt to determine a critical cut-off value for the detection of a low MUCP (< or =20 cmH2O). A positive LPP at 150 ml was found in 157 patients. The mean LPP for patients with a low MUCP was 58.5 cmH2O compared to 71.6 for those with a normal MUCP, which was statistically significant (p = 0.01). The correlation coefficient between LPP and MUCP was 0.317. A negative LPP was found in 30% (24/79) of the total having a low MUCP. The addition of values for LPP at 200 ml resulted in an increase in the number who leaked to 191, a 50% increase in the detection rate of low MUCP and a statistically significant relationship between LPP < or =60 cmH2O and low MUCP. Various critical cut-off values for LPP demonstrated good specificity but poor sensitivity for the detection of a low MUCP. It was concluded that there was a statistically significant relationship between LPP and MUCP. Performing LPP at 200 ml provides additional clinically useful diagnostic information.

Randomized trial of antibiotic prophylaxis for combined urodynamics and cystourethroscopy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of prophylactic nitrofurantoin in preventing bacteriuria after urodynamics and cystourethroscopy.

METHODS

We assumed that nitrofurantoin prophylaxis would decrease the rate of infection after urodynamics and cystourethroscopy from 19% to 5%. All women presenting for urodynamics and cystourethroscopy during a 27-month period were offered enrollment, and 142 were randomly assigned to receive two doses of long-acting nitrofurantoin 100 mg (n = 74), or two doses of placebo (n = 68). Nitrofurantoin and placebo capsules were identical, and subjects and physicians were masked to group assignment. Differences were assessed using Student t test for continuous data and chi2 analysis for dichotomous data.

RESULTS

There were no statistical differences in demographic characteristics or final diagnoses between groups. Seven women (5%) who had bacteriuria on initial urine culture were not included in the final analysis. The frequency of bacteriuria in the postinstrumentation urine cultures was 6% overall, 7% in the treatment group, and 5% in the controls, a nonsignificant difference ([relative risk] 1.49, [confidence interval] 0.37, 5.95). The power of the study was 33% to detect a significant difference.

CONCLUSION

Bacteriuria after combined urodynamics and cystourethroscopy was not improved by a 1-day course of nitrofurantoin.

Surgical management of urinary incontinence

Surgery for stress incontinence is selected according to specific problems in each patient. Patients with ISD can be identified and selected for sling surgery or collagen injection therapy. Other patients may be managed successfully by retropubic urethropexy, either open or laparoscopic. Diagnostic evaluation should be thoughtful and extensive, with good correlation of findings and presenting symptoms to apply therapy in a specific manner to each patient.

Suburethral abscess: a complication of periurethral collagen injection therapy

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infection after collagen injection is well documented. Other adverse reactions are rare.

CASES

Three women experienced suburethral abscess after repeat periurethral injections. All patients received local skin preparation and postprocedural antibiotics. Symptoms failed to resolve with antibiotics. The first two patients presented after 5 weeks and 10 days with irritative voiding symptoms and a tender suburethral swelling. The first patient was treated with excision. Spontaneous rupture into the urethra occurred with the second. The third woman presented with acute urinary retention at 102 days. A large suburethral mass was drained successfully in the office.

CONCLUSION

Suburethral abscess may be a delayed complication of periurethral collagen injections, not preventable by postprocedural antibiotics. Drainage is required.

Clinical and urodynamic predictors of delayed voiding after fascia lata suburethral sling

OBJECTIVE

To determine the time to resumption of normal voiding after a fascia lata sling and whether any clinical, operative, or urodynamic variables predict it.

METHODS

Between January 1993 and September 1996, 62 women underwent fascia lata suburethral sling operations for intrinsic sphincter deficiency or recurrent stress incontinence. The demographic, operative, and urodynamic data of 61 of these patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean number of days to resumption of normal voiding was ten. Three patients (5%) developed permanent retention. Patients 65 years and older were more likely than younger patients to have prolonged catheterization (16 versus 7 days, P=.008). Women who had additional procedures voided at a mean of 15 days compared to nine days for those having slings only (P=.029). A preoperative urine flow rate less than 20 mL/sec was associated with late voiding. There was no significant relationship between preoperative voiding mechanism and voiding time.

CONCLUSION

Resumption of normal voiding occurred earlier than reported by others. Age over 65 years, additional surgical procedures, and low peak flow rates were risk factors for delayed voiding. Time to normal voiding was independent of the preoperative voiding mechanism.

Fascia lata suburethral sling vs. Burch retropubic urethropexy. A comparison of morbidity

OBJECTIVE

To compare morbidity from the fascia lata sling to that from the Burch procedure.

STUDY DESIGN

The charts of 64 consecutive patients undergoing the two procedures were reviewed for perioperative, immediate postoperative and delayed postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Mean age was significantly older and prior surgery more common in the sling group, but parity and weight were comparable for the two groups. Operative time, estimated blood loss, change in hematocrit, incidence of transfusion, use of narcotics and hospital stay were not statistically different. Duration of catheter use was 2.2 days longer in the sling group (8.96 vs. 6.75 days, P = .387). Comparison of the sling vs. Burch, respectively, showed persistent urge incontinence in 42.8% and 40.0%, new urge incontinence in 22.2% and 16.6%, and cystotomy in 11% and 0%.

CONCLUSION

The fascia lata sling procedure has morbidity comparable to that of Burch retropubic urethropexy. Urge incontinence needs to be specifically addressed preoperatively in both groups of patients.

Portable ultrasound determination of urinary residual volume

A portable ultrasound to determine bladder volume, the BladderScan 2500, was compared to transurethral catheterization in 72 women. Most measurements were made after voiding. Volumes measured by catheterization were 17 ml greater than those measured by ultrasound, which was not clinically significant. The BladderScan technique does not carry the risk of urinary tract infection or patient trauma, and patient dignity is preserved, while accurately determining urinary volume.

Sling incision with associated vaginal wall interposition for obstructed voiding secondary to suburethral sling procedure

Obstructed voiding is a well recognized complication following a suburethral sling procedure. Current methods of transvaginal and transabdominal urethrolysis have had variable success rates in relieving the obstruction, and do not restabilize the urethra to prevent potential postoperative stress incontinence. We report on a procedure used in 4 cases which addresses both of these issues. All patients had persistent urinary retention beyond 8 weeks after a suburethral sling procedure. An oupatient procedure consisting of sling incision and associated tissue interposition (vaginal wall in three cases and fascia lata in one) was successful in relieving the obstruction. Continence status was maintained in 3 of the 4 patients. There were no major complications of this outpatient procedure.

Hormonal patterns in vaginal smears from puerperal women

Maturation indices were determined for 1,000 vaginal smears from women three weeks to nine months postpartum. Atrophic smears predominated three to six weeks after delivery in women who were lactating, but only one-third of the non-lactators had an atrophic pattern during those weeks. There was a progressive increase in the incidence of estrogenic patterns observed beyond the sixth postpartum week, irrespective of the persistence of lactation. The incidence of mixed patterns (equal numbers of parabasal, intermediate and superficial cells) was remarkedly constant (about 5 per cent) regardless of lactation or time beyond delivery. This study confirms the traditional view of hormonally related puerperal vaginal cytologic patterns, and is at variance with recent claims that vaginal atrophy is unusual in the puerperium.

Significance of cervicovaginal cytology after radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma

During follow-up examinations; 1,338 cervicovaginal cytologic smears were obtained from 254 women who had irradiation therapy for cervical cancer. These specimens were meticulously searched for the various cellular phenomena that may characterize such preparations, and some of the findings were subjectively quantitated. Correlations were made with histopathologic diagnoses, clinical findings, and results of treatment. Patients with malignant postradiation cells who were promptly treated for latent new or recurrent tumors generally responded well to treatment of the secondary tumor. The presence of malignant cells at any time after completion of therapy is an ominous sign, irrespective of the clinical status, and should lead to intensive effort to identify the site of a new or persisting lesion. The significance of dysplasia in postradiation smears is not entirely clear, and in certain instances it is difficult to distinguish severely dysplastic cells from either repair cells or malignant cells.