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Objectives: There are different diagnostic methods used in women with urinary incontinence symptoms such as: medical history, voiding diary, cough test, pad test, urodynamic testing. None of them is optimal. The aim of this study is to analyze the correlation between urethral funneling visualized during pelvic floor sonography and symptoms of stress urinary incontinence. Material and methods: We have performed a retrospective analysis of 657 complete datasets of patients who attended our urogynecological clinic for diagnostics. Women with wet overactive bladder were excluded from the analysis. Tests used in our clinic included: standardized interview and questionnaire, clinical exam, cough test. Pelvic floor sonography with a transvaginal probe in women with filled bladder was performed to assess the urethral length and the urethral funneling during maximal Valsalva maneuver. Results: In all patients with clinical SUI symptoms and with a positive cough test the urethral funneling length during Valsalva maneuver was > 50% of urethral length (long urethral funneling). In 83.7% of women without SUI the urethral funneling was absent. In the remaining 16.3% funneling was visible but its relative length was less than 50% of urethral length and urine flow was not observed (short urethral funneling). Conclusions: Long urethral funneling (> 50% of urethral length) seems to be a characteristic sign for SUI in women. The presence of urethral funneling shorter than 50% of urethral length (short urethral funneling) is not a SUI symptom — it is probably a sign of asymptomatic funneling of bladder neck.

Objectives: The aim of the study was the evaluation of repeatability and reproducibility of chosen urethral neck mobility measurements obtained during introital pelvic floor sonography performed with a 2D transvaginal probe. Material and methods: In order to assess the repeatability and reproducibility, independent measurements on the ultra­sound image were taken by two specialists on 92 female patients at rest and at strain (Valsalva maneuver). 2D ultrasound examination was performed introitally with a transvaginal probe (PFS-TV). The location of the urethral internal orifice was defined with coordinates of two points. Point CI marks the urethral anterior edge visualized on ultrasound as closer to the pubic symphysis. Point CII marks the posterior edge visualized more peripherally from pubic symphysis. Results: Repeatability and reproducibility measurements of point CI location and mobility were good and very good (0.6710–0.9961), while of point CII — were medium, good and very good (0.5738–0.9944). Point CI was clearly visible in all cases. It was not possible to accurately mark point CII in 4.3–17.4% of cases. Conclusions: The possibility to visualize point CI in every single case with very good and good repeatability and reproduc­ibility of measurements of this point’s location and mobility allows the usage of CI point as a universal reference point for evaluation of bladder neck mobility and position during PFS-TV in the clinical practice and for research purposes.