Bladder tone in patients in post-traumatic vegetative state.
The aim of the present study was to examine the bladder tone in vegetative patients using urodynamic tests. The study population consisted of 17 patients, 13 men and four women, in a post-traumatic vegetative state under treatment at the Loewenstein Rehabilitation Centre. Time since injury ranged from 1 to 6 months. Cystometry results indicated that 100% of the patients had neurogenic bladder, hypertonic type, two (12%) with mild spasticity and 15 (88%) with severe spasticity. None showed detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia or unstable bladder. Based on these unequivocal findings, it is suggested that all patients in trauma-induced vegetative state be treated prophylactically from the 2nd week with anticholinergic agents.
Krimchansky
B Z
BZ
I.C.U. for Comatose Patients, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital, Raanańa, Israel. sazbon@post.tau.ac.il
Sazbon
L
L
Heller
L
L
Kosteff
H
H
Luttwak
Z
Z
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014563:Urodynamics