Healthy aging is associated with preserved cerebrovascular adaptation to orthostatic hypotension. However, in older persons, the PCA territory blood flow may be more vulnerable to reduced perfusion during orthostatic stress.

Purpose Normal voiding in neurologically intact patients is triggered by the release of tonic inhibition from suprapontine centers, allowing the pontine micturition center to trigger the voiding reflex. Supraspinal mechanisms of voluntary voiding in humans are just beginning to be described via functional neuroimaging. We further elucidated brain activity processes during voiding using functional magnetic resonance imaging in normal females to gain better understanding of normal voiding as well as changes that may occur in voiding dysfunction. Materials and Methods We screened 13 healthy premenopausal female volunteers using baseline clinic urodynamics to document normal voiding parameters. We then recorded brain activity via functional magnetic resonance imaging and simultaneous urodynamics, including the pressure flow voiding phase. After motion correction of functional magnetic resonance images we performed activation and connectivity analyses in 10 subjects. Results Group analysis revealed consistent activation areas, including regions for motor control (cerebellum, thalamus, caudate, lentiform nucleus, red nucleus, supplementary motor area and post-central gyrus), emotion (anterior/posterior cingulate gyrus and insula), executive function (left superior frontal gyrus) and a focal region in the pons. Connectivity analysis demonstrated strong interconnectivity of the pontine micturition center with many short-range and long-range cortical clusters. Conclusions Our study is one of the first reports of brain activation centers associated with micturition initiation in normal healthy females. Results show activation of a brain network consisting of regions for motor control, executive function and emotion processing. Further studies are planned to create and validate a model of brain activity during normal voiding in women.

Purpose Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction, which is common in patients with multiple sclerosis, has a significant impact on quality of life. In this study we sought to determine brain activity processes during the micturition cycle in female patients with multiple sclerosis and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. Materials and Methods We report brain activity on functional magnetic resonance imaging and simultaneous urodynamic testing in 23 ambulatory female patients with multiple sclerosis. Individual functional magnetic resonance imaging activation maps at strong desire to void and at initiation of voiding were calculated and averaged at Montreal Neuroimaging Institute. Areas of significant activation were identified in these average maps. Subgroup analysis was performed in patients with elicitable neurogenic detrusor overactivity or detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. Results Group analysis of all patients at strong desire to void yielded areas of activation in regions associated with executive function (frontal gyrus), emotional regulation (cingulate gyrus) and motor control (putamen, cerebellum and precuneus). Comparison of the average change in activation between previously reported healthy controls and patients with multiple sclerosis showed predominantly stronger, more focal activation in the former and lower, more diffused activation in the latter. Patients with multiple sclerosis who had demonstrable neurogenic detrusor overactivity and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia showed a trend toward distinct brain activation at full urge and at initiation of voiding respectively. Conclusions We successfully studied brain activation during the entire micturition cycle in female patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction and multiple sclerosis using a concurrent functional magnetic resonance imaging/urodynamic testing platform. Understanding the central neural processes involved in specific parts of micturition in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction may identify areas of interest for future intervention.

PURPOSE: The life expectancy for people with spina bifida has increased, thus resulting in greater need for guidelines in urologic care in order to protect normal renal function, to develop strategies for urinary continence, and to advance independence through adult years. METHODS: The English literature was assessed from 2002–2015; greater than 300 publications identified. Case reports and opinion pieces were eliminated leaving 100 for in depth review. Clinical questions were then established for each age group that allowed for focused assessment. RESULTS: There was no Level 1 evidence for any of the defined clinical questions. This resulted in group consensus for all questions throughout all age groups. Guidelines were provided for identifying a symptomatic urinary infection, the role of urodynamic bladder testing and identification of bladder hostility, determining methods of renal function assessment and surveillance, the initiation of continence control, and transitioning to self-care through the teen and adult years. CONCLUSION: Urologic guidelines continue to be based on clinical consensus due to the lack of high level evidence-based research. Further research is required in all aspects of urologic management. While not the “Standard of Care,” these guidelines should be considered “Best Practice”.

Introduction and Hypothesis Knowledge of the innervation of pelvic floor and sphincter muscles is of great importance to understanding the pathophysiology of female pelvic floor dysfunctions. This study aims to present our high-density intravaginal and intrarectal electromyography (EMG) probes and a comprehensive innervation zone (IZ) imaging technique based on high-density EMG readings to characterize the IZ distribution. Methods Both intravaginal and intrarectal probes are covered with a high-density surface electromyography electrode grid (8 X 8). Surface EMG signals were acquired in 10 healthy female subjects during maximum voluntary contractions of their pelvic floor. EMG decomposition was performed to separate the motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) and then localize their IZs. Results High-density surface EMG signals were successfully acquired over the vaginal and rectal surfaces. The propagation patterns of muscle activity were clearly visualized for multiple muscle groups of the pelvic floor and anal sphincter. During each contraction, up to 218 and 456 repetitions of motor units were detected by the vaginal probe and the rectal probe, respectively. MUAPs were separated with their IZs identified at various orientations and depths. Conclusions The proposed probes are capable of providing a comprehensive mapping of the innervation zones of the pelvic floor and sphincter muscles. They can be employed as diagnostic and preventative tools in clinical practices.

Background Stress urinary incontinence is a significant problem in young female athletes, but the pathophysiology remains unclear because of the limited knowledge of the pelvic floor support function and limited capability of currently available assessment tools. The aim of our study is to develop an advanced computer modeling tool to better understand the dynamics of the internal pelvic floor during highly transient athletic activities. Methods Apelvic model was developed based on high-resolution MRI scans of a healthy nulliparous young female. A jump-landing process was simulated using realistic boundary conditions captured from jumping experiments. Hypothesized alterations of the function of pelvic floor muscles were simulated by weakening or strengthening the levator ani muscle stiffness at different levels. Intra-abdominal pressures and corresponding deformations of pelvic floor structures were monitored at different levels of weakness or enhancement. Findings Results show that pelvic floor deformations generated during a jump-landing process differed greatly from those seen in a Valsalva maneuver which is commonly used for diagnosis in clinic. The urethral mobility was only slightly influenced by the alterations of the levator ani muscle stiffness. Implications for risk factors and treatment strategies were also discussed. Interpretation Results suggest that clinical diagnosis should make allowances for observed differences in pelvic floor deformations between a Valsalva maneuver and a jump-landing process to ensure accuracy. Urethral hypermobility may be a less contributing factor than the intrinsic sphincteric closure system to the incontinence of young female athletes.

This series highlights the significant impact of synthetic mesh complications in the posterior compartment. These complications should be cautionary for synthetic graft use by those with limited experience, particularly when an alternate choice of traditional repair is available. When symptoms of RVF are present, collaboration with a colon and rectal specialist should be initiated as soon as possible for evaluation and definitive repair.

Introduction and Hypothesis This study aims to assess the role of individual anatomical structures and their combinations to urethral support function. Methods A realistic pelvic model was developed from an asymptomatic female subject’s MR images for dynamic biomechanical analysis using the finite element method. Validation was performed by comparing simulation results with dynamic MR imaging observations. Weaknesses of anatomical support structures were simulated by reducing their material stiffness. Urethral mobility was quantified by examining the urethral axis excursion from rest to the final state (Intra-abdominal pressure = 100cmH2O). Seven individual support structures and five of their combinations were studied. Result Among seven urethral support structures, weakening the vaginal walls, puborectalis muscle and pubococcygeus muscle generated the top three largest urethral excursion angles. A linear relationship was found between urethral axis excursions and intra-abdominal pressure. Weakening all three levator ani components together caused a larger weakening effect than the sum of each individually weakened component, indicating a nonlinearly-additive pattern. The pelvic floor responded to different weakening conditions distinctly: weakening the vaginal wall developed urethral mobility through collapsed vaginal canal while weakening the levator ani showed a more uniform pelvic floor deformation. Conclusions The computational modeling and dynamic biomechanical analysis provides a powerful tool to better understand the dynamics of the female pelvis under pressure events. The vaginal walls, puborectalis and pubococcygeus are the most important individual structures in providing urethral support. The levator ani muscle group provides urethral support in a well-coordinated way with a nonlinearly-additive pattern.