Original articleIs CO2 cystometry a reliable test in estimating detrusor contractile function in patients with acute urinary retention?

ObjectivesCO2 cystometry is very convenient for patients who already received indwelling urethral catheterization. This study aims to evaluate the reliability of CO2 cystometry in estimating the detrusor contractile function in patients with acute urinary retention.MethodsPatients with acute urinary retention were enrolled between December 2011 and January 2015. All patients underwent CO2 cystometry and H2O cystometry in the same session to evaluate detrusor contractility. The results obtained with H2O cystometry and CO2 cystometry were compared.ResultsWe recruited a total of 32 patients (11 females and 21 males). The mean ± standard deviation age was 77.43 ± 10.48 years (range 21-102 years). Analyses of the parameters of cystometry, including volume at first desire to void, volume at strong desire to void, cystometric capacity, and compliance revealed a strong linear correlation between the comparative parameters of H2O and CO2 cystometry (Pearson's correlation coefficients: 0.75, first desire; 0.83, strong desire; 0.71, cystometric capacity; and compliance, 0.96). Using H2O cystometry as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of CO2 cystometry for diagnosis of detrusor contractile function were calculated as 1 and 0.72, respectively.ConclusionCO2 cystometry gives as valid information as H2O cystometry in estimating detrusor contractile function in patients with acute urinary retention.