[Neurophysiological evaluation of the pelvic floor]

Abstract

Methods for investigating the pelvic floor neurophysiological means are described. These include recording electromyographic activity of pelvic muscles and sphincter, under urodynamics studies or to assess the integrity of innervation of the muscle, pudendal and dorsal nerve of the penis conduction velocity, sacral reflexes and afferent and efferent conduction studies between the cortex and the pelvic floor, under our hospital protocol and a description of the major method from published reports and the clinical applications (Neurogenic bladder, faecal incontinence, male impotence) are discussed.