[Complex urodynamic diagnosis of prostatic obstruction]. / Diagnostica urodinamica complessa dell'ostruzione cervico-prostatica.

ABSTRACT

Pressure/flow study is nowadays essential in the routine diagnostic workup of prostatic obstruction. It is the single most useful investigation showing evidence of bladder outlet obstruction. Therefore it should always be performed before any surgical treatment aimed to relieve the obstruction and it should always be referred to whenever the results of a medical treatment are judged. Lack of indication to pressure/flow study is limited to few clinical conditions such as complete urinary retention, large bladder diverticulum, high grade vesicoureteral reflux, bladder stone and/or urinary tract infection. The investigation needs much experience while is carrying out in order to avoid artifacts and then to read the pressure/flow data obtained. Results evaluation is still debatable. Nevertheless recent computerized programs allow to reduce artifacts and to obtain more reproducible and comparable data in order to make more reliable the indication to treatment or to judge its results.