New Diagnostics for Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Abstract

Purpose of review: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is a common constellation of symptoms that affect the aging male population with an astonishing prevalence. New technology and new uses of established technology are being used to help further evaluate LUTS in the male population and help guide treatment options. This review focuses on the developments and future directions in diagnostic modalities for evaluation of male LUTS, focusing on evaluation of both the filling and voiding phases of micturition. Recent findings: New techniques in evaluating the voiding phase include penile cuff test, external pressure sensing condom catheter, ultrasound measurement of detrusor wall thickness, ultrasound measurement of intravesical prostatic protrusion, doppler ultrasound and NIRS technology. Evaluation of the filling phase is still undergoing much development and requires additional validation studies. The techniques undergoing evaluation include sensation meters during UDS, assessing bladder micromotion and wall rhythm, assessing detrusor wall biomechanics, ultrasound measurement of detrusor wall thickness, pelvic doppler ultrasound, as well as functional brain imaging including fNIRS and fMRI. Summary: The development of novel, non-invasive, diagnostic tools have the potential for better evaluation of LUTS with earlier and enhanced treatments. This will likely improve the quality of life for men with LUTS.

The diagnostic value of non-invasive methods for diagnosing bladder outlet obstruction in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: A meta-analysis

“…(5) study design: any type, including comparative studies, clinical trials, retrospective or prospective studies; (6) complete data: all data could be obtained directly or calculated and included true positive (TP), false positive (FP), true negative (TN), and false negative (FN) data. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) failure to meet the inclusion criteria; (2) duplicated publications; (3) reviews, case reports, conference abstracts, letters and editorials; (4) non-English and non-human studies.…”

“…Given the invasive nature and side effects associated with conventional invasive PFS, a variety of non-invasive diagnostic methods have been developed ( 5 ). Although these novel and non-invasive diagnostic methods were designed to improve the quality of life in patients with LUTS by promoting earlier diagnosis and treatment, and do show significant potential ( 6 ), there is some conflict with regards to their specific clinical outcomes. Previous authors have evaluated and summarized the diagnostic value of these non-invasive methods ( 5 , 7 – 14 ); nevertheless, researchers have yet to perform a meta-analysis to investigate the diagnostic accuracy for these approaches in a quantitative manner.…”

Diagnosis and Treatment of Overactive Bladder in Young Men

“…Зокрема вона охоплює широкий спектр симптомів, які пов'язані з наповненням сечового міхура, сечовипусканням або періодом безпосередньо після сечовипускання [5,6]. У чоловіків віком до 39 років СНСШ найчастіше виникали при наповненні сечового міхура порівняно з явищами інфравезикальної обструкції -37,5% і 19,9% відповідно [7][8][9].…”