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Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports
Published in: Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports 4/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Evoked Potential | Voiding Dysfunction Evaluation (B Brucker and B Peyronnet, Section Editors)

The Role of Pelvic Neurophysiology Testing in the Assessment of Patients with Voiding Dysfunction

Authors: Prasad Malladi, Sara Simeoni, Jalesh N. Panicker

Published in: Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports | Issue 4/2020

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The role of pelvic neurophysiology testing in the evaluation of patients with lower urinary tract (LUT) symptoms is explored in this review.

Recent Findings

Different neurophysiology tests such as sphincter EMG and pudendal somatosensory evoked potentials are useful in evaluating the sacral somatic afferent and efferent innervation. S2 and S3 dermatomal evoked potentials assess individual sacral roots and are feasible to perform using standard neurophysiology machines.

Summary

The innervation of the LUT has a substantial contribution from splanchnic and somatic nerves arising from the sacral segments. Pelvic neurophysiology tests, which assess somatic nerve functions, are therefore a useful tool in assessing sacral nerve functions in patients presenting with unexplained voiding dysfunction. In this review, the commonly performed neurophysiology studies that assess the S2, S3 and S4 sacral afferent and efferent pathways are outlined, and their clinical applications reviewed.
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Metadata
Title
The Role of Pelvic Neurophysiology Testing in the Assessment of Patients with Voiding Dysfunction
Authors
Prasad Malladi
Sara Simeoni
Jalesh N. Panicker
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports / Issue 4/2020
Print ISSN: 1931-7212
Electronic ISSN: 1931-7220
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11884-020-00613-0

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