Female urinary incontinence - urodynamics: yes or no?

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends that cystometry need not be performed prior to conservative therapy for incontinence in women, nor is cystometry routinely recommended in the small group of women with a clearly defined diagnosis of pure stress incontinence. This review highlights the arguments for and against this recommendation and also looks at the place of cystometry and pressure flow studies in the assessment and management of women with lower urinary tract dysfunction.