Areflexic Bladder Research Articles

Evaluation and management of neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury: Current practice among physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists in Turkey.

Objectives This study aims to determine the current trends in evaluation and management of neurogenic bladder secondary to spinal cord injury (SCI) among Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) specialists in Turkey. Materials and methods Between September 2013 and November 2013, a total of 100 PMR specialists from 18 different provinces of Turkey were included in the study. A 23-item questionnaire was developed to evaluate the current practice on assessment and follow-up of upper and lower urinary tract dysfunction. The questionnaire was delivered via e-mail to the participants routinely providing care for patients with SCI and all responses were obtained electronically. Results For surveillance of the upper urinary tract dysfunction, 93% of the participants preferred ultrasonography. A total of 59% of the participants favored an annual assessment and 36% preferred six-month intervals. Multichannel urodynamics, voiding cystourethrography combined with urodynamics, and video-urodynamics were preferred by 62%, 25%, and 10% of the participants, respectively for surveillance of the lower urinary tract. Urodynamic evaluation was performed annually by 51% of the participants. In patients with detrusor overactivity unresponsive to the combination of intermittent catheterization (IC) and anticholinergic agents, 66% preferred to increase the dose and 22% preferred to switch to another medication. For treatment of areflexic bladder, 78% preferred IC and 12% preferred the Credé' or Valsalva maneuvers. Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria was not favored in patients on IC and indwelling urethral catheter by 33% and 44% of the participants respectively. Totally, 84% participants preferred to administer antibiotics for 10 to 14 days for the treatment of symptomatic urinary tract infection. Conclusion Our study results indicate that there are some differences in the current practice of PMR specialists for surveillance and management of SCI patients with neurogenic bladder. These results also emphasize the need for development of guidelines and implementation of continuous medical education activities in this field.

Significance of Urodynamic Examination in Patients with Spinal Cord Lesions and Verified Neurogenic Urination Dysfunction

Evaluation of neurogenic urination dysfunction by urodynamic examination in patients with spinal cord lesions is essential for ensuring the effective emptying of the bladder and the prevention of urological complications. To establish the relation between urodynamic findings with the development of complications of the upper urinary tract (UUT) in patients with spinal cord lesions. This is a retrospective study involving 42 patients with spinal cord lesions in which are analyzed complications of UUT incurred in an average 4-year period. It also included urodynamic examination of 41 patients (one patient with definitely placed catheter) and the results are compared with the found UUT complications. Among urodynamic parameters were compared the values of bladder compliance (C), maximum detrusor pressure in the filling phase (Pdet.max) and detrusor activity. UUT complications: nephrolithiasis 24%, ureteropieloectasia 21%, chronic pyelonephritis 10% and hydronephrosis in 5% of patients. In 26 (64%) patients were found low compliance (C < 20 ml/cmH2O), and preserved in 15 (36%) patients. Pdet.max. was significantly lower in patients with preserved compliance (p < 0.01). According detrusor activity was found 22 (54%) hyper reflex and 19 (46%) areflexic bladders. In the group with areflexic bladder, UUT complications has 7 (37%), in group of hyper reflex bladder 10 (45%) patients. In areflexic bladder with UUT complications was found significantly lower levels of compliance (p < 0.01) than in the group without complications. In our sample of patients with spinal cord lesions was demonstrated the impact of low compliance to the occurrence of UUT complications. It is also in case of the areflexic bladder found significant difference in compliance between the groups with and without UUT complications. Maintaining bladder compliance and low values if intracystic filling pressure the most important tasks in maintaining vesico-sfincteral balance, and thus prevention of urological complications in patients with spinal cord lesions.

Spinal Cord Injury and Bladder Dysfunction: New Ideas about an Old Problem

Control of the lower urinary tract (LUT) requires complex neuronal circuits that involve elements located at the peripheral nervous system and at different levels of the central nervous system. Spinal cord injury (SCI) interrupts these neuronal circuits and jeopardizes the voluntary control of bladder function. In most cases, SCI results in a period of bladder areflexia, followed by the emergence of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO). Only recently, researchers have started to have a clearer vision ofthe mechanisms of SCI-induced changes affecting LUT control. For example, changes in the urothelium have recently been described and proposed to play a role in NDO. As such, a better understanding of NDO has generated new opportunities to investigate novel therapeutic approaches for NDO.In the present paper, we aim to update recent data concerning SCI-induced LUT dysfunction and therapeutic approaches commonly used to deal with NDO. We make a brief description of LUT control and changes occurring after SCI, and refer to new therapeutic options, including vanniloids and botulinum toxin. Finally, we discuss mechanisms of spinal cord repair, an interesting and very active area of investigation that has obtained some promising results in the recovery of LUT control.

Availability of a newly devised ambulatory urodynamics monitoring system based on personal device assistance in patients with spinal cord injury

Conventional urodynamics systems have been widely used for the assessment of bladder functions. However, they have some drawbacks due to the unfamiliar circumstances for the patient, restrictive position during the test, expense and immovability of the instrument as well as the unphysiological filling of the bladder. To mitigate these problems, we developed a fully ambulatory urodynamics monitoring system, which enables the abdominal pressure to be measured in a non-invasive manner, as well as the manual recording of various events such as the bladder sensations or leakage of urine. Conventional (CMG) and furosemide-stimulated filling cystometry (FCMG) were performed for 28 patients with neurogenic bladders caused by spinal cord injury (24 males and 4 females, age: 49.4±13.9 years, BMI: 23.5±2.4). There were high correlation coefficients (r=0.97±0.02) between the clinical parameters measured by the conventional rectal catheter and those measured by our non-invasive algorithm in the FCMG studies. Also, 10 of the patients (36%) were diagnosed as having different reflexibility of the bladder between conventional CMG and FCMG (p<0.05). In the patients with detrusor overactivity, the average volume and detrusor pressure at bladder sensation in FCMG were lower than those in CMG, while the average compliance was higher (p<0.05). In the patients with areflexic bladders, the number of patients with detrusor overactivity was higher in FCMG and leakage was observed more frequently. These results showed that our system could be a useful additional tool in the clinical assessment of patients in which conventional cystometry failed to explain their symptoms.

The dysfunctional bladder following spinal cord injury: From concept to clinic

Lower urinary tract dysfunction is a common problem among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) that results from a disruption of coordinated control among the brain, spinal cord, and bladder. SCI initially induces areflexic bladder and urinary retention followed by the emergence of automatic micturition mediated by spinal reflex pathways. Experimental research has permitted insight into the pathophysiology of SCI and bladder dysfunction, thereby lending investigators the opportunity to discover therapeutic options. This review provides the reader with an overview of post-SCI bladder dysfunction and the use of currently available pharmacologic therapies to improve lower urinary tract dysfunction. It also highlights some of the promising treatment options on the horizon, such as bladder function restoration via tissue engineering and neurostimulation.

Afectación de la contractilidad del detrusor en la hiperreflexia vesical

Classically, it was understood detrusor contractility was affected in bladder areflexia but not in hyperreflexia. We aim to demonstrate that there is some detrusor contractility affectation in bladder hyperreflexias, although it may seem paradoxical at first sight. Neuro-urologic study was performed in a series of 68 consecutive patients with bladder hyperreflexia (neurogenic detrusor hyperactivity), referred to the unit of functional urology for urodynamic evaluation. All patients underwent clinical history, post void residual determination, cystomanometry, voiding pressure-flow test, videourodynamics and selective EMG of the periurethral sphincter. Detrusor contractile potency was measured with W 80-20. Terminology follows the ICS standard. Data processing was performed using the statistical software SPSS 12.0. This series includes 14 males (58.8%) and 28 females (41.2%), of all ages (adults more frequent). 88.2% of the cases had acquired neurological diseases (trauma 30.9%; medical 33.8%; degenerative 35.3%), and 11.8% congenital neurological diseases (myelodysplasia). Most frequent type of neurological lesion was detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia: 59 cases (79.4%); 22 patients (32.4%) had undergone previous treatment of their vesicourethral dysfunction. The amplitude of detrusor involuntary contractions was wider in detrusor-bladder neck dyssynergia. Detrusor isotonic contractility (W 80-20) was significantly affected, mainly in neurological lesions of traumatic nature and less in degenerative lesions (p = 0.01). We demonstrated that bladder contractility is affected in bladder hyperreflexias (neurogenic detrusor hyperactivity), more important in traumatic lesions without relationship with the type of neurological associated lesion, which could be related to a bladder structural change, or with a change in the central neurological tracts (without requirement of presence of dyssynergia).

Transient suppression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter in urinary bladder pathways following spinal cord injury

The aim of this study was to examine the expression profile of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), which is a cholinergic pre-synaptic marker, in the lower neural tract following spinal cord injury (SCI) and its effect on coordination of micturition. In adult female Sprague–Dawley rats, SCI was induced by complete transection of the spinal cord at T9. At various time points, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days, after SCI, cystometry was performed on conscious rats. Bladder areflexia was observed during the first week. Twenty-eight days after SCI the rats showed reflex contractions and voiding. The expression of VAChT was examined with immunohistochemistry. The number of VAChT-positive nerve terminals, which were surrounding neuronal soma, was transiently decreased in pelvic ganglion and spinal cord (L1, L2, L6 and S1). In particular VAChT terminals surrounding motor neurons in the ventral horn and autonomic pre-ganglion cells were dramatically decreased from 3 to 14 days after SCI. Similarly, and the number of VAChT-positive fibers in the bladder wall was also decreased. The intensity of VAChT terminals recovered in all above regions in conjunction with recovery of bladder function. These observations indicate that the transient decrease of the VAChT-positive nerve might cause a failure of cholinergic neuronal transmission along the urinary bladder tract after SCI. As the cholinergic system was recovered at least in rat, the functional recovery of neurogenic bladder syndrome in SCI patients may become possible by further understanding the mechanism underlying the recovery of cholinergic system in rat.

Pathophysiology of urinary dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

Bladder and urethra are innervated peripherally by pelvic parasympathetic, lumbar sympathetic and pudendal nerves; but a complex of brain networks is involved in the micturition cycle and the pontine micturition centre (PMC) has a fundamental role. Bladder storage is secondary to activation of β- and α-receptors with simultaneous inhibition of parasympathetic transmission and increased somatic discharges via the pudendal nerves. Bladder voiding involves coordination of sacral parasympathetic stimulation of the bladder, inhibition of sympathetic outflow and pudendal somatic outflow to the external striated sphincter. Lesions of the brain above the PMC are usually associated with detrusor overactivity; medullary lesions are characterised by urodynamic detrusor overactivity associated with detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia. Sacral lesions can produce bladder areflexia and/or hypocontractility.

Practice patterns of Japanese physicians in urologic surveillance and management of spinal cord injury patients

Analysis of answers to a new questionnaire. To examine current practice patterns of physicians in the urological surveillance and management of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients in Japan. Nationwide questionnaire survey to physicians in Japan. A Japanese version of the 14-item questionnaire survey carried out in US was mailed to 770 members of the Japanese Neurogenic Bladder Society (JNBS). We received answers to our questionnaire from 333 (43.2%) members of JNBS. The responders were all urologists. For surveillance of the upper urinary tract (UUT), 239 (71.8%) respondents preferred abdominal ultrasound. Cystometry was performed routinely by 174 (52.3%) respondents for the evaluation of vesicourethral function. Cystoscopy was carried out in cases of hematuria (88.0%) and bladder stone (55.3%). Surveillance of the urinary tract was performed every year in 154 (46.2%). For detection of bladder cancer, which 119 (37.9%) respondents have experienced, 94.9% physicians perform cystoscopy, 76.3% urinary cytology, and 60.4% ultrasound. For initial treatment of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (DSD), 225 (69.2%) respondents chose alpha-blocker, and 94 (28.9%) chose clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) with/without anticholinergic agent(s). For initial treatment of overactive bladder, 245 (74.7%) chose anticholinergic agent(s) only and 63 (19.2%) chose anticholinergic agent(s) with CIC. For initial treatment of areflexic bladder, 233 (73.7%) chose CIC and 63 (19.9%) chose Credé maneuver or tapping. This survey shows that there are some differences in urological surveillance and management of SCI patients between Japan and the US. Reasons for the discrepancy should be examined.

Transplantation of Neuronal and Glial Restricted Precursors into Contused Spinal Cord Improves Bladder and Motor Functions, Decreases Thermal Hypersensitivity, and Modifies Intraspinal Circuitry

Transplanting neuronal and glial restricted precursors (NRP/GRP) into a midthoracic injury 9 d after contusion improved bladder and motor function, diminished thermal hypersensitivity, and modified lumbosacral circuitry compared with operated controls (OP-controls). Histological analysis showed that NRP/GRP survived, filled the lesion site, differentiated into neurons and glia, and migrated selectively. Volume of spinal cord spared was increased in NRP/GRP recipients, suggesting local protection. Bladder areflexia developed in both operated groups, but NRP/GRP recipients exhibited an accelerated recovery, with decreased micturition pressure and fewer episodes of detrusor hyperreflexia. Because noradrenergic receptors proliferate after spinal injury and descending noradrenergic pathways contribute to regulation of bladder control, we examined the effects of administering an alpha-1A-adrenergic antagonist, Tamsulosin, on urodynamics. This improved all cystometric parameters in both operated groups, and micturition pressure in NRP/GRP rats recovered to normal levels. Both operated groups initially showed increased sensitivity to a thermal stimulus applied to the tail; the NRP/GRP rats showed significant improvement over time. NRP/GRP grafts also produced greater recovery of hindlimb function in several tests, although both groups showed persistent and similar deficits in locomotion on a grid. Because bladder, hindlimb, and tail sensory and motor functions are organized through lumbosacral cord, we examined descending and primary afferent projections at L6-S1. The density of serotonergic, noradrenergic, and corticotrophin releasing factor-positive fibers increased in the NRP/GRP group compared with OP-controls, suggesting some sparing and/or sprouting of these modulatory pathways. Immunocytochemical staining density of dorsal root axons in the dorsal horn increased in the OP-controls but appeared normal in the NRP/GRP group. Synaptophysin immunoreactivity in the lumbosacral dorsal horn was similar among groups, consistent with restoration of synaptic density in both groups of operated animals but by different pathways. We suggest that local protection provided by NRP/GRP resulted in increased sparing/sprouting of descending pathways, which prevented sprouting by dorsal root axons, and that this modification in lumbosacral circuitry contributes to the recovery of function.

AN ARTIFICIAL SOMATIC-AUTONOMIC REFLEX PATHWAY PROCEDURE FOR BLADDER CONTROL IN CHILDREN WITH SPINA BIFIDA

Neurogenic bladder is a major problem for children with spina bifida. Despite rigorous pharmacological and surgical treatment, incontinence, urinary tract infections and upper tract deterioration remain problematic. We have previously demonstrated the ability to establish surgically a skin-central nervous system-bladder reflex pathway in patients with spinal cord injury with restoration of bladder storage and emptying. We report our experience with this procedure in 20 children with spina bifida. All children with spina bifida and neurogenic bladder underwent limited laminectomy and a lumbar ventral root (VR) to S3 VR microanastomosis. The L5 dorsal root was left intact as the afferent branch of the somatic-autonomic reflex pathway after axonal regeneration. All patients underwent urodynamic evaluation before and after surgery. Preoperative urodynamic studies revealed 2 types of bladder dysfunction- areflexic bladder (14 patients) and hyperreflexic bladder with detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia (6). All children were incontinent. Of the 20 patients 17 gained satisfactory bladder control and continence within 8 to 12 months after VR microanastomosis. Of the 14 patients with areflexic bladder 12 (86%) showed improvement. In these cases bladder capacity increased from 117.28 to 208.71 ml, and mean maximum detrusor pressure increased from 18.35 to 32.57 cm H2O. Five of the 6 patients with hyperreflexic bladder demonstrated improvement, with resolution of incontinence. Urodynamic studies in these cases revealed a change from detrusor hyperreflexia with detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia and high detrusor pressure to nearly normal storage and synergic voiding. In these cases mean bladder capacity increased from 94.33 to 177.83 ml, and post-void residual urine decreased from 70.17 to 23.67 ml. Overall, 3 patients failed to exhibit any improvement. The artificial somatic-autonomic reflex arc procedure is an effective and safe treatment to restore bladder continence and reverse bladder dysfunction for patients with spina bifida.

Transplants of fibroblasts expressing BDNF and NT-3 promote recovery of bladder and hindlimb function following spinal contusion injury in rats

We examined whether fibroblasts, genetically modified to express BDNF and NT-3 (Fb-BDNF/NT3) and transplanted into a thoracic spinal injury site, would enhance recovery of bladder function and whether this treatment would be associated with reorganization of lumbosacral spinal circuits implicated in bladder function. Rats received modified-moderate contusion injuries at T8/9, and 9 days later, Fb-BDNF/NT3 or unmodified fibroblasts (OP-controls) were delivered into the cord. Fb-BDNF/NT3 rats recovered from areflexic bladder earlier, showed decreased micturition pressure and fewer episodes of detrusor hyperreflexia, compared to OP-controls. There were also improvements in hindlimb function in the Fb-BDNF/NT3 group although locomotion on a more challenging substrate (grid) and tail withdrawal latency in response to a thermal stimulus showed persisting deficits, little recovery, and no differences between the groups. Immunocytochemistry at L6-S1 revealed changes in density of afferent and descending projections to L6-S1 cord. The density of small dorsal root axons increased in the superficial layers of the dorsal horn in OP-controls but not in Fb-BDNF/NT3, suggesting sprouting of primary afferents following injury that was inhibited by Fb-BDNF/NT-3. In contrast, the trophic factor secreting transplants stimulated sprouting and/or sparing of descending modulatory pathways projecting to the lumbosacral spinal cord. No differences in synaptophysin immunoreactivity were seen in the dorsal horn which suggested that synaptic density was similar but achieved by sprouting of different systems in the two operated groups. Fb-BDNF/NT3 transplanted into injured spinal cord thus improved both bladder and hindlimb function, and this was associated with reorganization of spinal circuitry.

A noninvasive ultrasonographic method to evaluate bladder function recovery in spinal cord injured rats

Suprasacral spinal cord injury induces changes in the mechanical and neuronal properties of the bladder resulting in bladder areflexia followed by bladder–sphincter dyssynergia and detrusor muscle hypertrophy, which lead to urinary retention and increased bladder size. These changes are most often quantified using highly skilled urodynamic techniques that involve catheterization. We investigated whether a hand-held digital ultrasound imaging system could monitor urinary retention in the bladder following spinal cord injury in adult rats. Our findings indicate that contusive spinal cord injury resulted in high residual bladder volumes that decreased and stabilized by 2 weeks post-injury but remained significantly higher than control bladder volumes up to 46 days post-injury (the longest time point examined). Post hoc analysis indicated that the degree of bladder function recovery recorded at the end of the study correlated with the degree of bladder function recovery recorded at 6 days post-injury, indicating that bladder function recovery can be predicted by analyzing bladder volume as early as 6 days post-injury. Bladder function recovery correlated with locomotor recovery as assessed using the BBB locomotor rating scale. While providing a noninvasive assessment of bladder function with no detrimental impact on locomotor function or assessment, this protocol provides researchers with a clinically relevant outcome measure for quantifying bladder function recovery after spinal cord injury or after experimental treatments for spinal cord injury.

Urine 8-isoprostane F 2α concentrations in patients with neurogenic bladder due to spinal cord injury

Background: Isoprostanes are prostaglandin-like end products of arachidonic acid peroxidation that are produced by a free radical-catalyzed mechanism. Considering its free radical-dependent formation and potent contractor effect, it is postulated that isoprostane 8-iso PGF 2α may play an important role in oxidative stress-related smooth muscle dysfunction. These substances may also influence bladder activity directly by effects on the smooth muscle. The present study was designed to measure traditional biochemical parameters (MDA, TAS, vitamin E) in plasma and 8-iso PGF 2α concentrations in urine of patients with spinal cord injury and to evaluate the relation of urinary isoprostane concentrations to the bladder function. Methods: All spinal cord patients underwent urodynamic evaluations. The biochemical tests were performed in both hyperreflexic bladder group ( n=23) and areflexic bladder group ( n=10), and the findings were compared to those of the patients with normally functioning bladder (controls, n=19). Results: Urine 8-iso PGF 2α concentrations were significantly increased in hyperreflexic group (median value 0.89 pg/mg creatinine) compared to both control (0.52 pg/mg creatinine) and areflexic groups ( p<0.001). The lowest concentrations of urinary 8-iso PGF 2α were observed in the areflexic group (0.22 pg/mg creatinine), and these were positively correlated to the plasma MDA concentrations in areflexic patients ( p=0.05; r=0.684). Conclusion: Isoprostanes may be involved in the pathogenesis of neurogenic bladder dysfunction. It may be of value to determine the urinary concentrations of 8-iso PGF 2α in order to distinguish areflexic bladders from the hyperreflectics.

Current practice patterns in the urologic surveillance and management of patients with spinal cord injury

Objectives To determine current trends in management and surveillance of the spinal cord injury (SCI) population among specialized urologists who routinely work and provide care to patients with SCI. There is a lack of consensus on the optimal urologic surveillance and management protocol of the urinary tract in SCI patients. Methods A mailed questionnaire was sent to the 269 American members of the Society for Urodynamics and Female Urology (SUFU). The type of investigation used in the assessment and follow-up of upper and lower urinary tract function in SCI patients and their optimal frequency and management modalities were the topics of inquiry. Results One hundred sixty of the 269 urologists responded for a response rate of 60%. Most physicians (85%) favor a yearly renal ultrasound for routine surveillance of the upper tracts, whereas more than half (65%) routinely use videourodynamic studies for evaluation of the lower urinary tract. The combination of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) plus anticholinergic agents is the favored modality for management of hyperreflexic bladder, whereas CIC alone is preferred for the areflexic bladder. Conclusions This study confirms that most urologists working with SCI patients follow principles reported in published data regarding the need for evaluation, surveillance, and management of the urinary tract. However, there is a lack of consensus in the specific methods used for surveillance of the urinary system. The present results emphasize the need for clear guidelines in this area.

Bladder dysfunction in acute transverse myelitis: magnetic resonance imaging and neurophysiological and urodynamic correlations

Aims: To evaluate micturition abnormalities in acute transverse myelitis and correlate these with evoked potentials, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and urodynamic findings. Setting: Tertiary care teaching hospital. Patients: 18 patients...

Continuous Intrathecal Baclofen Infusion Delivered by a Programmable Pump for the Treatment of Severe Spasticity Following Traumatic Brain Injury

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) delivered by a programmable pump for the chronic treatment of severe spasticity due to traumatic brain injury (TBI). Eight patients with severe spasticity following TBI, refractory to oral baclofen or who experienced intolerable side effects, were screened. The first five patients were enrolled in a research protocol that was approved by the Institutional Review Board for Human Research at Boston University Medical Center. The other three patients were evaluated after the FDA approved the therapy for spasticity of cerebral origin. Results showed that the mean Ashworth score for rigidity in the legs decreased from 4.4 preoperatively to 1.3 (p < 0.05) on ITB. In the arms, the Ashworth score decreased from 2.7 to 1.5 (p < 0.05). Reduction of spasticity resulted in improved levels of physical activity and locomotion and ease of care. Complications consisted of muscular hypotonia, areflexic bladder and urinary retention, erythema, and breakdown of the skin over the pump. Our results suggest that long-term intrathecal baclofen by an implanted programmable pump is a safe and effective method of treating severe intractable spasticity arising from traumatic brain injury.

Schistosomal myelopathy: urologic manifestations and urodynamic findings

Objectives. To describe the clinical and urodynamic features of patients with voiding dysfunction secondary to schistosomal myelopathy. Schistosomiasis mansoni is an endemic fluke infection in South America, the Caribbean, and Africa. In the United States and Europe, people may be infected mainly through travel to endemic areas and immigration of infected individuals. Clinical involvement of the spinal cord is a well-recognized complication of the disease. The typical manifestations are those of an acute transverse myelitis, with sudden onset of lower extremity neuropathy associated with bladder and bowel dysfunction. Methods. We reviewed the records and urodynamic studies of 14 consecutive patients (10 men and 4 women, age range 23 to 49 years) with schistosomal myelopathy confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid serology for S. mansoni, who were referred for evaluation of voiding dysfunction during a 2-year period. At the time of the urologic evaluation, 9 patients had chronic neurologic and urinary symptoms and 5 had recent onset of acute symptoms. The voiding function history, urologic complications, and outcomes after therapy for schistosomiasis were reviewed. Results. Of the patients with acute disease (5 patients), the urologic symptoms included urinary retention (3 patients) and incontinence (2 patients). Three of them had concurrent lower back pain and lower limb neurologic deficits. Urodynamic studies were performed in 3 patients and revealed bladder areflexia in 2 patients and detrusor hyperreflexia with external sphincter dyssynergia in 1 patient. The patients were started on clean intermittent catheterization and received praziquantel and corticosteroids. Three patients had complete resolution of their symptoms, one recovered normal voiding function but the neurologic deficits persisted, and one had no clinical improvement. All patients with chronic schistosomal myelopathy presented with lower limb neurologic deficits of varying degrees and urinary symptoms, including difficulty emptying the bladder (7 patients), urinary incontinence (6 patients), and urgency and frequency (2 patients). Laboratory and radiographic evaluation of patients with chronic disease revealed urinary tract infection in 5 patients, hydronephrosis in 2 patients, and bladder calculi in 2 patients. Urologic management consisted of antibiotics, clean intermittent catheterization, anticholinergic medication, and stone removal, as appropriate. In 1 patient, conservative treatment failed and that patient required ileocystoplasty. Conclusions. Schistosomal myelopathy is a potential cause of severe voiding dysfunction secondary to spinal cord disease. A high index of suspicion is paramount because early medical intervention can abort the progression of neurologic deterioration.

Vesico-ureteric reflux in adults with neuropathic bladders treated with Polydimethylsiloxane (Macroplastique).

To establish the efficacy of Macroplastique in treating vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) in adults with neuropathic bladder dysfunction. Fifteen patients (12 male and three female), age range 19 to 80 years (mean age 38) were included in this study. Diagnosis was confirmed by videourodynamics. In seven patients reflux was present bilaterally. Twenty-two refluxing ureters were treated. Twelve patients had detrusor hyper-reflexia, two had areflexic bladders and one had loss of bladder wall compliance. According to the International Grading System, 10 ureters had grade IV reflux, five had grade III reflux, five had grade II reflux, and two had grade I reflux. Macroplastique (0.5-1.5 ml) was injected submucosally under each ureteric orifice to convert the opening to a slit like shape. The patients were followed up from 9 to 68 months. VUR was completely resolved in 72.7% (16) ureters following a single injection and in a further 4.5% (1) ureter following a second injection. 9.1% (2) ureters were improved and treatment failed in 13.7% (3) ureters. Two patients showed a recurrence of reflux 1 and 4 years after primary injection and subsequently had a curative second injection. Most of the patients in whom VUR was cured or improved showed a reduction in laboratory proven urinary infection rates. Macroplastique produced an excellent result (86% with complete resolution or improvement of reflux) in treating VUR in adult neuropathic bladders. This is comparable to larger studies carried out on the paediatric population. This is an easy procedure, which avoids major surgery and can be performed as a day case. In cases of failure or recurrence, repeat injection or open surgery can be undertaken without any added complications.

THE URODYNAMIC PROFILE OF MYELODYSPLASIA IN CHILDHOOD WITH SPINAL CLOSURE DURING GESTATION

Spinal dysraphism is the most common cause of neurogenic bladder dysfunction in newborns. Urodynamic findings in these patients include uninhibited bladder contractions, bladder areflexia, decreased compliance and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. Early urodynamic studies are recommended for spina bifida to help identify bladder characteristics that may cause a risk of upper tract deterioration. We recently evaluated a new early type of intervention involving closure of the neural tube defect during gestation in 25 patients at our institution. We hypothesize that this procedure results in decreased exposure of the spinal cord to amniotic fluid, which may improve neurological function. To date we have evaluated 16 of the 25 patients with video urodynamics. We compared the results to those in the literature on patients with myelomeningocele and without prenatal intervention. We performed urodynamic testing in 16 patients with a mean age of 6.5 months, including cystometrography, fluoroscopic evaluation of filling and voiding, pelvic floor electromyography and post-void residual urine measurement. In addition, we retrospectively reviewed renal ultrasound, voiding cystourethrography, catheterization need, number of urinary tract infections and medication in these cases. Uninhibited detrusor contractions and an areflexic bladder were identified in 6% and 43% of patients, respectively, while 19% had decreased compliance and 75% had leak point pressure greater than 40 cm. water. Mean bladder capacity was 40 cc and 31% of patients had much lower capacity than expected for age. Previous renal ultrasound and voiding cystourethrography showed evidence of upper tract dilatation and reflux in 2 cases, respectively. Intermittent catheterization and anticholinergic therapy were required by 1 patient each and 1 had a significant urinary tract infection. Urodynamic findings in this population are comparable to those previously reported in the literature in patients with spina bifida without prenatal closure of the spinal defect. The lower incidence of urinary tract infection and reflux in our study probably represents more aggressive early urological management rather than neurological improvement. These urodynamic studies were performed early in life and future evaluation may ultimately reveal improved bladder function compared with that in others with myelodysplasia. However, at this time we recommend that patients who undergo spinal cord defect closure during gestation be evaluated and treated in the same manner as those with myelomeningocele but without fetal intervention.