Advanced Diagnostic Options

Your specific female pelvic floor disorder is indeed unique. Commonly, such disorders do not occur in isolation and require advanced diagnostic techniques to determine the root cause of the disorder. Bladder function, although seemingly simple in nature, involves complicated physiologic pathways to accomplish something as routine as voiding. At The Woman’s Center for Advanced Pelvic Surgery, we couple our experience with state-of-the-art technology to provide the most advanced diagnostics for better understanding the nature and condition of your problems. By utilizing key diagnostic tests, we can work with you to determine the best course of treatment.

The Woman’s Center for Advanced Pelvic Surgery is a leader in the field of complex urodynamics testing and interpretation. To understand your bladder function in every detail, these tests record precise scientific data on your bladder’s ability to fill, store and empty. A typical urodynamics study consists of a series of tests performed in an office setting designed to thoroughly evaluate the bladder and urethral function. The tests are performed by placing a specialized catheter into the bladder and measuring bladder function during bladder filling, during activities performed with a full bladder, and during voiding. These studies are conducted to evaluate causes for leaking urine, difficulty emptying the bladder, frequent urination, recurrent infections, and loss of bladder support. Instructions on how to prepare for your testing are provided.

Cystoscopy is a diagnostic procedure designed to examine the bladder and urethra. Cystoscopy can assist in identifying problems with the urinary tract, such as early signs of cancer, infection, strictures (narrowing), obstruction, and bleeding.

To perform cystoscopy, a very small portion of a long, lighted tube, called a cystoscope, is inserted into the urethra and advanced into the bladder. In addition to allowing visualization of the internal urethra and bladder, the cystoscope enables the physician to irrigate, suction, inject air, and access your bladder with surgical instruments. During cystoscopy, the physician may remove tissue for further examination and possibly treat any problems that are detected.

Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, is a method of obtaining images from inside the human body through the use of high-frequency sound waves. No ionizing radiation (x-ray) is involved in ultrasound imaging. A probe that emits sound waves can be placed on the skin of the abdomen or within the vagina or rectum to obtain images of the pelvis.

Ultrasound is a useful way of examining many of the body's internal organs, including the bladder, bowel, and uterus. Because ultrasound images are captured in real time, they can show movement of internal tissues and organs. Anal ultrasound examines the muscles in the anal area, looking for abnormalities such as defects in the muscles that could have been caused by delivery of a baby.