title: The ice-water test--a simple and valuable supplement to routine cystometry.
abstract: The results of cystometrograms and ice-water tests (IWTs) were retrospectively evaluated in 557 patients with overactive bladders, lower motor neuron lesions or pure stress incontinence. The IWT was considered positive when, following ice-water instillation, the fluid was expelled from the bladder within 1 min. The test was considered false negative when no fluid escaped despite a sustained detrusor contraction of the same magnitude as the micturition contraction. Ninety-seven percent of patients with complete and 91% of those with incomplete upper motor neuron lesions had a positive or a false negative IWT. About 75% of the patients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or previous cerebrovascular accident had a positive IWT. All patients with lower motor neuron lesions or pure stress incontinence had a negative IWT. There was a significant correlation between a positive IWT and an abnormal sensation of bladder filling and inability to inhibit micturition voluntarily, as well as between a negative IWT and the occurrence of phasic detrusor contractions during cystometry. The study shows that the IWT is a sensitive test for differentiating upper from lower motor neuron lesions. It is also a useful parameter for functional subdivision of overactive bladders. In patients with voiding dysfunction in the absence of lower urinary tract inflammation, a positive test is an indicator of a silent or overt neurological disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Geirsson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fall
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lindström
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water