Detrusor Function In Suprasacral Spinal Cord Injuries

Abstract

A total of 21 patients with chronic, stable suprasacral spinal cord injuries underwent a comprehensive neurological evaluation. A second lumbosacral lesion was excluded. The urodynamic findings were relatively constant as 95% of the patients showed detrusor hyperreflexia with elevated pressures, sphincteric dyssynergia and a competent bladder neck during the filling phase. The urodynamic findings of unexpected detrusor function in high spinal cord injury, for example areflexia and hypocontractility, should raise the clinician’s suspicion that there is a lesion or dysfunction involving the sacral cord. Accepted for publication January 24, 1992. Supported by the Vivian L. Smith Foundation for Restorative Neurology.