Pathophysiology Of Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction

Lower urinary tract obstruction signifies impedance of urine expulsion. It can give rise to symptoms, though some people who appear to have outlet obstruction do not complain of any symptomatic problem. Classically associated with benign prostate enlargement in men, obstruction is being increasingly recognized in women, and there is ongoing debate on how to diagnose the problem. In particular, symptoms similar to those of obstruction can derive from reduced expulsive ability associated with impaired bladder contractility, and the latter complicates the objective evaluation of outlet function. Mechanisms of obstruction can be either anatomical or functional, and the fundamental role of the central nervous system in regulating the phases of the micturition cycle and ensuring the synergic activity of the lower urinary tract means outlet obstruction in neurological disease is an important consideration.