As stated in the preface, ''this book is written for all those who are interested in understanding how the lower urinary tract works and what goes wrong when it malfunctions,'' and the book does supply the reader with just that. Nearly every idea or example described in the book relates to the evaluation of the patient with a voiding dysfunction. The book is divided into two parts: Part I discusses urodynamics from soup to nuts, meaning simple to complex evaluative techniques, the individual procedures (pros and cons) separately and when done synchonously, and the abilities and disabilities of various commercial urodynamic equipment to accomplish the necessary urodynamic evaluations. The authors make a point of demonstrating to the reader that the urodynamic investigation is merely an extension of the history and physical examination of the patient with a voiding dysfunction, regardless of age, sex, or etiology of the voiding dysfunction which has resulted in the patient's stated symptomatology ranging within the extremes of urinary retention to urinary incontinence.
Part II is the unique strength of the publication. Chapters are dedicated to the commonly encountered entities (stress urinary incontinence, neurological disorders, prostatic diseases, etc.) which cause voiding dysfunctions and how urodynamic investigations are helpful in evaluating a patient's specific voiding problem and the choices of modality of treatment and aid in the discussion of the patient's prognosis. The many illustrations aptly fulfill the title as this truly is an atlas of urodynamic investigations.
This book should be of interest to others outside the specialty of urology, most especially urogynecologists, physiatrists, neurologists, geriatricians, pediatricians, and physical therapists who deal in the treatment of patients who have voiding disorders, whether they be a novice or one who already possesses expertise in dealing with patients with voiding dysfunctions. The book can be used as a urodynamic guide with its ample illustrations displaying every urodynamic finding from the simple to the complex, as exemplified by chapter 6 on electromyography. In this chapter routine and advanced techniques are demonstrated with a clarity of text material which this reviewer has not seen previously.