Clinical, urodynamic and neurophysiological findings in patients with neuropathic bladder due to a lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion.
Sacral nerve roots are affected in 1 to 15% of reported cases of lumbar disc protrusions (mainly posterior) (Scott, 1965). Urinary retention is the commonest symptom. In the last 6 years, we have observed 22 patients (18 males and 4 females) with a neuropathic bladder due to this condition in the acute phase. They underwent intermittent catheterisation (IC), and manoeuvres such as Credé and Valsalva's at fixed times. Almost all obtained a balanced bladder. (


RESULTS
24 months.) The most common urodynamic finding at the onset was bladder areflexia with severe denervation of the perineal floor. At follow-up, 65% still had bladder areflexia and 29% normoreflexia, all with normal compliance. Perineal floor innervation showed a fair recovery, mainly in the efferent part. An hypothesis is presented to explain why this kind of neuropathic bladder has a normal compliance.
Fanciullacci
F
F
Section for Myelolesions, Urological Department, Hospital of Magenta, Milano, Italy.
Sandri
S
S
Politi
P
P
Zanollo
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology