Bladder neck anatomy and mobility: effect of vaginal ultrasound probe

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a vaginal ultrasound probe on bladder neck anatomy and mobility.

Patients and methods: Twenty women, 15 with urinary incontinence and five with other urological complaints, were studied. Colpocysto-urethrography (CCU) during rest. Valsalva and withholding manoeuvres were compared with and without simultaneous vaginal endosonography. The CCU diagnoses and measurements of bladder neck position and mobility in relation to the symphysis pubis were compared with and without the probe inserted. A small, 7 MHz vaginal probe (Brüel and Kjaer, type 1846) was used with the scanning field 45 degrees to the long axis of the probe.

Results: The CCU diagnoses as well as the measurements of bladder neck position and mobility relative to the symphysis pubis were unaffected by the insertion of this probe.

Conclusion: Vaginal ultrasonography is a minimally invasive technique; it is convenient for routine, firstline evaluation of bladder neck anatomy and mobility in incontinent women.