Neurophysiology of the pelvic floor in clinical practice: a systematic literature review.

Neurophysiology of the pelvic floor in clinical practice: a systematic literature review. Funct Neurol. 2017 Oct/Dec;22(4):173-193 Authors: Bianchi F, Squintani GM, Osio M, Morini A, Bana C, Ardolino G, Barbieri S, Bertolasi L, Caramelli R, Cogiamian F, Currà A, de Scisciolo G, Foresti C, Frasca V, Frasson E, Inghilleri M, Moderna L, Motti L, Onesti E, Romano MC, Del Carro U Abstract Neurophysiological testing of the pelvic floor is recognized as an essential tool to identify pathophysiological mechanisms of pelvic floor disorders, support clinical diagnosis, and aid in therapeutic decisions. Nevertheless, the diagnostic value of these tests in specific neurological diseases of the pelvic floor is not completely clarified. Seeking to fill this gap, the members of the Neurophysiology of the Pelvic Floor Study Group of the Italian Clinical Neurophysiology Society performed a systematic review of the literature to gather available evidence for and against the utility of neurophysiological tests. Our findings confirm the utility of some tests in specific clinical conditions [e.g. concentric needle electromyography, evaluation of sacral reflexes and of pudendal somatosensory evoked potentials (pSEPs) in cauda equina and conus medullaris lesions, and evaluation of pSEPs and perineal sympathetic skin response in spinal cord lesions], and support their use in clinical practice. Other tests, particularly those not currently supported by high...
Source: Functional Neurology - Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research