title: Evaluation of the urethra in males with spinal cord injury.
abstract: Of 358 antegrade voiding urethrograms obtained in 200 males with spinal cord injury, the urethra was satisfactorily shown by 154 (77%), permitting evaluation of alterations related to cord damage, surgery, or iatrogenic trauma. In 105 cases the neurogenic urethra was normal, demonstrated only minor distension, or had a patulous appearance, in contrast to urinary tract changes such as a markedly neurogenic bladder, vesicoureteral reflux, and bladder calculi. In 49 patients, abnormalities included (a) changes related to surgical alleviation of sphincter dyssynergia; (b) iatrogenic changes such as diverticula strictures, undermining of the external sphincter ("spiral sign"), and intravasation of contrast material; and (c) pressure necrosis of the urethra. Some changes need no special treatment; others, such as pressure necrosis, require early recognition and prompt therapy.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D014521:Urethra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014567:Urography / Q000379:methods