A comparative study of perineal ultrasound scanning and urethrocystography in patients with genuine stress incontinence.

Perineal scanning using linear array ultrasound was used as an alternative to radiologic urethrocystography in the investigation of female urinary incontinence. The posterior urethro-vesical angle (beta) and the angle of inclination (alpha) of 30 patients (age: 48 +/- 10.2 years) with genuine stress incontinence were measured by both procedures. In all cases the radiologic and ultrasound findings correlated well. Perineal scan provides similar information to that obtained by the radiographic procedure without exposure to X-rays. In contrast to urethrocystography perineal scan is fast, inexpensive, readily accessible and more acceptable to the patient.