Reflex interaction between the proximal urethra and the bladder. A clinical experimental study.
OBJECTIVE
Animal experiments have shown that the bladder-cooling reflex is activated by cold stimulation of the bladder and urethra, causing a reflex bladder contraction. In this clinical experimental study, the bladder reflex responses to distension and cooling of the bladder neck and the proximal urethra were investigated.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients with overactive bladders and documented positive ice water tests were studied.


RESULTS
Three patients (14%) responded with reflex bladder contraction by urethral infusion of ice water only, and another 4 patients responded to urethral distension with both warm and cold water. In 4 patients, bladder contraction was induced by a catheter pulling on the bladder neck.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the existence of a cold-sensitive reflex system in the human urethra. However, in the experimental situation, both cold and tension-mediated reflexes were more difficult to evoke from the urethra than from the bladder.
Geirsson
G
G
Department of Urology, Reykjavik Hospital, Iceland.
Fall
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D014521:Urethra / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D014563:Urodynamics