[Guidelines on the urological management of the adult patient with spinal dysraphism (spina bifida)]. / Recommandations sur la gestion du risque et la prise en charge urologique du patient adulte atteint de dysraphisme spinal (spina bifida).

INTRODUCTION: Improved life expectancy and prenatal screening have changed the demographics of spina bifida (spinal dysraphism) which has presently become a disease of adulthood. Urinary disorders affect almost all patients with spinal dysraphism and are still the leading cause of mortality in these patients. The aim of this work was to establish recommendations for urological management that take into account the specificities of the spina bifida population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: National Diagnosis and Management Guidelines (PNDS) were drafted within the framework of the French Rare Diseases Plan at the initiative of the Centre de Référence Maladies Rares Spina Bifida - Dysraphismes of Rennes University Hospital. It is a collaborative work involving experts from different specialties, mainly urologists and rehabilitation physicians. We conducted a systematic search of the literature in French and English in the various fields covered by these recommendations in the MEDLINE database. In accordance with the methodology recommended by the authorities (Guide_methodologique_pnds.pdf, 2006), proposed recommendations were drafted on the basis of this literature review and then submitted to a review group until a consensus was reached. RESULTS: Bladder dysfunctions induced by spinal dysraphism are multiple and varied and evolve over time. Management must be individually adapted and take into account all the patient's problems, and is therefore necessarily multi-disciplinary. Self-catheterisation is the appropriate micturition method for more than half of the patients and must sometimes be combined with treatments aimed at suppressing any neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) or compliance alteration (anticholinergics, intra-detrusor botulinum toxin). Resort to surgery is sometimes necessary either after failure of non-invasive treatments (e.g. bladder augmentation in case of NDO resistant to pharmacological treatment), or as a first line treatment in the absence of other non-invasive alternatives (e.g. aponeurotic suburethral tape or artificial urinary sphincter for sphincter insufficiency; urinary diversion by ileal conduit if self-catheterisation is impossible). CONCLUSION: Spinal dysraphism is a complex pathology with multiple neurological, orthopedic, gastrointestinal and urological involvement. The management of bladder and bowel dysfunctions must continue throughout the life of these patients and must be integrated into a multidisciplinary context.

Use of a new transanal irrigation device for bowel disorder management by patients familiar with the irrigation technique: a prospective, interventional, multicenter pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of transanal irrigation (TAI) with a new medical device incorporating an electric pump, the IryPump®R Set. METHODS: An interventional, prospective, open-label, non-comparative, multicenter pilot study on TAI was conducted at three French university hospitals. Patients with experience of TAI were enrolled for a 1-month period during which 5 consecutive TAIs were performed using the IryPump®R Set (B.Braun Melsungen AG Melsungen, Germany). The study's primary efficacy criterion was successful TAI, defined as (i) use of the patient's usual irrigation volume of water, (ii) stool evacuation, and (iii) the absence of leakage between TAIs. The first two TAIs were not taken into account in the main analysis. The secondary outcome measures were device acceptability, bowel dysfunction scores, tolerability, and safety. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included between November 2016 and May 2017, and 14 were assessed in the main analysis. The TAI success rate was 72.4% (21 out of 29 procedures). The bowel dysfunction scores at the end of the study did not differ significantly from those recorded on inclusion. A high proportion of patients (> 70%) reported that TAI was feasible with the new medical device. There were no serious adverse events or device-related adverse events. At the end of the study, 50% of the participants were willing to consider further use of the new device. CONCLUSIONS: In patients familiar with TAI, using a new medical device incorporating an electric pump was feasible. Levels of patient satisfaction were high, especially with regard to comfort of use and a feeling of security during TAI.

Prospective multicentre observational study assessing the tolerance and perception of patients using the Liquick Base catheter with an Ergothan tip.

INTRODUCTION: Intermittent self-catheterisation has revolutionised the management of neurogenic bladder-sphincter dysfunctions. The Liquick Base catheter is characterised by a streamlined Ergothan tip. The purpose of this study is to assess the tolerance and perception of patients using this catheter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A French prospective multicentre observational study was conducted on patients with neurogenic bladder-sphincter dysfunctions. Upon inclusion in the study, the doctor completed a questionnaire on the patient's pathology. After 3 and 6 months, the doctor checked for neurogenic developments or observations and looked for any complications relating to intermittent self-catheterisation. The patient completed a questionnaire to assess his or her perception of using the catheter. RESULTS: Out of 42 patients included in the study, two were excluded. Out of the 40 assessed patients (30 males, 10 females) with an average age of 50.1±14.9 years, there were no reported cases of false passage. Bleeding occurred at least once in 10 patients (25%) in the first three months and in three out of 20 patients (15%) between 3 and 6 months. Two (5%) patients sought medical attention in the first three months for complications related to the catheter and 4 patients sought medical attention (10%) between 3 and 6 months. After 3 months 90% of patients were still using the catheter and after 6 months 90% of patients were still using the catheter. CONCLUSION: The Liquick Base catheter is well tolerated. Patient perception is positive for all parameters being examined, leading to the continued use of the catheter in 90% of cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

[Is there any obstruction other than prostatic obstruction in Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease?] / Existe-t-il une obstruction autre que prostatique dans la Maladie de Parkinson Idiopathique ?

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the existence of pseudo-dyssynergia in Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (IPD) constituting a functional bladder outlet obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted by including men with a confirmed diagnose of IPD who participated in the SIROCCO rehabilitation program. Patients included clinically exhibited overactive bladder and voiding dysfunction without prostatic hypertrophy ultrasounded. They have been clinically assessed by the Urinary Symptoms Profile (USP) urinary symptom score. Bladder outlet obstruction was assessed by the pressure-flow study. Urodynamic obstruction has been quantified by the bladder obstruction index which depends on detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate and maximum flow rate. It has been defined by a BOOI>40. RESULTS: The pressure-flow profile was analyzed in 5 patients who met the inclusion criteria. In this group of 5 patients with IPD, the diagnosis was made on average 10.6 years (7-14) before the pressure-flow studies were performed. Our results objectified 4 patients obstructive among 5 and one equivocal patient. A striated pseudo-dyssynergia was found in the 3 obstructive patients and associated with a smooth pseudodyssynergia in one patient. CONCLUSION: We have observed, in this short series, a pseudo-dyssynergia by subjects suffering from IPD. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

[Notice of expert for modality and prescriptions limits of local estrogenotherapy for urinairy inconfinence in women]. / Avis d'experts sur les modalités et limites de prescription des estrogènes locaux dans l'incontinence urinaire chez la femme.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a consensus of experts on the use of local estrogens in female urinary incontinence. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Following a formalized consensus method (DELPHI), a questionnaire was produced and sent to a first round and then to a second round of experts. The questionnaire consisted of proposals for recommendations for the use of local estrogens in the context of female urinary incontinence. The Survey Monkey® survey software allowed the questionnaire to be distributed and the answers obtained to be analyzed. RESULTS: Eight experts responded to the first round questionnaire. Seven formulations were deleted, 3 amended and 4 added to the first round questionnaire following expert advice. Twenty-six experts replied to the second round questionnaire, 24 of which were complete. Ten of the 21 proposals were approved at more than 80%, including five with strong agreement regarding the recognized benefit of local estrogens in urinary incontinence due to overactive bladder, the absence of data from the literature to demonstrate over-risk of hormone-dependent cancer under local estrogens and the need for follow-up of patients under this treatment. Six proposals were not the subject of a consensus and concerned the prescription modalities (maximum duration, effective minimum dose, prescription before surgery for incontinence). CONCLUSION: Although local estrogens did not have regulatory approval in urinary incontinence, more than 80% of these experts recognized their benefit in the management of urinary incontinence in women with vulvo-vaginal atrophy, particularly in the case of urinary urge incontinence. LEVEL OF PROOF: 4.

[Ejaculation capacity in spinal cord injured patients carrying an endo-urethral stent for incontinentation: Descriptive study]. / Capacité éjaculatoire chez les sujets blessés médullaires porteurs d'une prothèse endo-urétrale d'incontinentation : étude descriptive.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of endo-urethral stent (EUP) of incontinentation in spinal cord injured (SCI) men on ejaculation capacity. FIRST CRITERIA: Presence of ejaculation after EUP. SECONDARY CRITERIA: Modification on ejaculation type, stimulation mode, possibility of sperm conservation in the same population. POPULATION AND METHODS: A descriptive monocentric study including SCI subjects which underwent placement or change of temporary (Mémokath™ or Allium™) or definitive (Mémotherm™) EUP between January 2004 and January 2014 with at least one ejaculatory test. Are identified for each patient: the presence of ejaculation, type of ejaculation, stimulation mode used, number of frozen specimen and results from semen analysis. RESULTS: Over 11 men with tetraplegia, complete for motricity, there were 8 (72%) for whom ejaculation was possible after laying EUP. Of these, 6 (55%) had an antegrade or antero-retrograde ejaculation. It was not possible to make a freezing straw in four of them due to infection of semen (2) or terato-oligo-astenospermia (1) or absence of reproductive project (1). CONCLUSION: In this small sample, it was found that over 70% ejaculation have been preserved after laying EUP and more than 50% with antegrade or antero-retrograde ejaculation. A larger study would identify how EUP may alter the ejaculatory capacity or quality of the ejaculate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

[Antibioprophylaxy and urological management of women with spinal cord injury during pregnancy]. / Intérêt de l'antibioprophylaxie et manifestations urologiques des femmes blessées médullaires au cours de la grossesse.

OBJECTIVE: More and more women with spinal cord injury (SCI) can have a pregnancy. Few data have been published on these pregnancies and their urological impact. We report a series of these cases illustrating the urological experience of specialized centers. METHODS: This is a retrospective study that identified pregnancies in women with SCI followed-up between 2000 and 2014. Data covering all urological and obstetric events during pregnancies, before and after implementation of weekly oral cyclic antibiotics (WOCA) program, were collected from medical records. RESULTS: Fifteen women with SCI who gave birth to 20 children were included. Three of them were quadriplegics and 12 were paraplegics. All of them performed themselves intermittent catheterization: 11 by urethral way and 4 by high way because carrying a continent cystostomy. Mean follow-up period before pregnancy was 14.6 years [3-27 years IC 95%] and the mean follow-up for the study was 8.5 months [6.5-9 IC 95%]. We observed a reduction of symptomatic urinary tract infections after WOCA onset (13/13 before vs. 0/7 after, P=0.001), a reduction of recurrent urinary infections (6/13 vs. 0/7, P=0.03), a reduction of threats to premature births (8/13 vs. 0/7, P=0.001). Multi-resistant bacteria appeared to increase (0/13 vs. 3/7, P=0.01). We also observed a trend to significant reduction of premature births number (4/13 vs. 0/13, P=0.1) and that of low birth weight (3/13 versus 0/7, P=0.1). The overall neonatal survival rate was 100%. CONCLUSION: Our study before/after introduction of a weekly oral cycle antibiotic prophylaxis during pregnancy for women with spinal cord injury showed a significant reduction in symptomatic urinary tract infections and a tendency to improve pregnancy outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

[Definition of botulinum toxin failure in neurogenic detrusor overactivity: Preliminary results of the DETOX survey]. / Définition et prise en charge de l'échec d'une première injection de toxine botulique Botox ® 200 U pour hyperactivité détrusorienne neurogène: résultats de l'enquête DETOX.

OBJECTIVE: There is currently no guideline regarding the management of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) refractory to intra-detrusor botulinum toxin injections. The primary objective of the present study was to find a consensus definition of failure of botulinum toxin intra-detrusor injections for NDO. The secondary objective was to report current trends in the managment of NDO refractory to botulinum toxin. METHODS: A survey was created, based on data drawn from current literature, and sent via e-mail to all the experts form the Group for research in neurourology in french language (GENULF) and from the comittee of neurourology of the French urological association (AFU). The experts who did not answer to the first e-mail were contacted again twice. Main results from the survey are presented and expressed as numbers and proportions. RESULTS: Out of the 42 experts contacted, 21 responded to the survey. Nineteen participants considered that the definition of failure should be a combination of clinical and urodynamics criteria. Among the urodynamics criteria, the persistence of a maximum detrusor pressure>40 cm H2O was the most supported by the experts (18/21, 85%). According to the vast majority of participants (19/21, 90.5%), the impact of injections on urinary incontinence should be included in the definition of failure. Regarding the management, most experts considered that the first line treatment in case of failure of a first intra-detrusor injection of Botox(®) 200 U should be a repeat injection of Botox(®) at a higher dosage (300 U) (15/20, 75%), regardless of the presence or not of urodynamics risk factors of upper tract damage (16/20, 80%). CONCLUSION: This work has provided a first overview of the definition of failure of intra-detrusor injections of botulinum toxin in the management of NDO. For 90.5% of the experts involved, the definition of failure should be clinical and urodynamic and most participants (75%) considered that, in case of failure of a first injection of Botox(®) 200 U, repeat injection of Botox(®) 300 U should be the first line treatment.

Premature ejaculation associated with lumbosacral lesions.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: Spinal cord injuries are usually associated with anejaculation, but few premature ejaculations (PE) are described in lumbosacral lesions. The objective of the study is to analyze the retrospective files of patients with lumbosacral lesions to explore whether PE is systematic, and which type of lesions (conus teminalis, epiconal, cauda equina) is associated with these PE. METHODS: Standard sexological consultations from 34 men with L5-S4 lesions were analyzed including questions on psychogenic and reflexogenic erection, and ejaculation. Medical assessment included bulbocavernosus, anal, and cremasteric reflexes and urodynamics. RESULTS: Thirty one (31/33) patients maintained natural ejaculations, but 18 complained of PE and five of spontaneous ejaculations. Fourteen patients complained of dribbling ejaculation, and 27 of non-climactic ejaculation (13 no sensation, 10 some sensation, 4 painful sensation). Medical assessments showed absent or diminished anal sensation in 28 patients, absent or diminished anal reflexes in 21, absent or diminished bulbocavernosus reflexes in 20, but 12/13 positive cremasteric reflex. Urodynamics showed 12/20 areflex and 2/20 hyperactive bladders. CONCLUSIONS: Most men with lower lumbosacral lesions maintain natural ejaculation, but often complain of PE following injury. The PE is such that a mere sexual thought can trigger the response, or appear spontaneously as daytime ('sticky paints') or nighttime ('sticky sheets') emissions. PE appears to be a direct consequence of the lesion as it is reported from the very first ejaculation post injury, in men who otherwise controlled their ejaculation prior to injury. Underlying mechanisms may involve sacral inhibition on ejaculation, or simultaneous activation of psychogenic erection and emission. Clinical implications are discussed.

[Sexuality of women with neurologic disorders]. / Sexualité de la patiente neurologique.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in spinal cord injured (SCI) women is high. METHODS: Medical literature on sexuality in women with SCI was reviewed and combined with expert opinion of the authors. RESULTS: The physiology of the female sexual response including vasocongestion and muscular contractions occurring during sexual arousal and orgasm, and their innervation through somatosensory and autonomic pathways (pudendal, pelvic, hypogastric, vagus nerves) is described. Studies on women with SCI demonstrate the presence of a sacral reflex vasocongestion and/or thoracolumbar psychogenic vasocongestion. Fifty percent of women with SCI report orgasm, most often with genital stimulation, suggesting that an autonomic reflex response, but which can be perceived by vagus nerve transmission. Studies on sexual experience show that the frequency of sexual activities decreases, but interest for intercourse remains. More emphasis is placed on oral-genital stimulation, kisses, cuddling, caresses, fantasies, and erogenous stimulation above the lesion level. Sixty-nine percent of women with SCI report sexual satisfaction. Limitations concern positions during intercourse, spasticity, incontinence and autonomic dysreflexia. Alteration of the sexual sense of self and body image are also reported. Facilitating factors include education level, having a stable partner, occurrence of the lesion in adulthood, and increased posttraumatic delay. Treatment should emphasize neurological assessment of thoracolumbar sensitivity and presence of sacral reflexes. Sexual education should be encouraged during rehabilitation and cover the female sexual response, procreation and pregnancy (risks, prevention), along with precautions concerning various contraceptives. Treatment should include a refined assessment of perineal sensitivity to allow a mental image of the vulva, and trials with vibrostimulation and medication (PDEI5, midodrine) to maximize sexual responses and facilitate perception of sexual pleasure and orgasm. CONCLUSION: Management of sexual dysfunction in SCI women must be holistic and biopsychosocial.

Sexual function and autonomic dysreflexia in men with spinal cord injuries: how should we treat?

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVES: Review the literature on the acute or prophylactic treatment of autonomic dysreflexia in the context of sexual activities. SETTING: International. METHODS: Medline search using AD and spinal cord injury and all years of publication. RESULTS: Thirty-seven papers on the specific treatment of AD showed that nifedipine, prazosin, captopril and clonidine are candidates in the context of sexual activities. Prazosin, however, has an initial hypotensive effect requiring to begin treatment 12 h before intercourse, which makes it less ideal for spontaneous sexual activities. Captopril has an initial hypotensive effect and was only studied in acute AD. Its usefulness in prophylaxis remains to be demonstrated. Clonidine has successfully been used clinically for decades, but never studied in randomized control trials. Nifedipine remains the most widely studied and significant treatment of AD whether in acute or prophylactic conditions. Recent concerns suggest increased cardiovascular risks with sublingual nifedipine in non-SCI populations, but negative long-term effects have not been reported in the SCI population. CONCLUSION: Sexual function is a priority for men with SCI. As sexual activities, in particular ejaculation, can be a source of AD, adequate treatments and prophylaxis must be considered in the context of sexual activities. Experts must meet and conclude on the thresholds, parameters and treatments that should be considered in the long-term management of AD in the context of sexual function in men with SCI.

Bladder dysfunction in hereditary spastic paraplegia: a clinical and urodynamic evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a degenerative central nervous system disorder characterized by progressive spasticity and hyperreflexia of the lower limbs. Often, patients with HSP experience symptoms of voiding dysfunction. Urodynamic evaluations of these patients are rarely reported in the literature and the etiology of voiding dysfunction remains unclear. The present study characterizes lower urinary tract dysfunction in a large series of patients. METHODS: The medical records of 29 HSP patients who underwent urodynamic evaluation were retrospectively analyzed. The history of lower urinary tract symptoms was noted and the urodynamic findings analyzed. RESULTS: Urgency was the most dominant complaint (72.4%), followed by frequency (65.5%), urinary incontinence (55.2%) and hesitancy (51.7%). The urodynamic findings showed signs of central neurogenic bladder in 24 patients (82.7%), with detrusor overactivity (DO) in 15 patients (51.7%) and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) in 19 (65.5%). Post-void residual (PVR) of >10% of the voided volume was found in 12 patients (41.4%). There were significant relationships between detrusor overactivity and PVR (P=0.005), frequency (P=0.046) and nocturia (P=0.045). Ultrasound examination revealed no upper urinary tract complications. CONCLUSION: Despite the presence of DO and DSD, HSP patients do not seem to have a high risk of developing ultrasonographically-assessed upper urinary tract complications after a mean follow-up of 22 years, contrary to spinal cord injury population. These results may guide practitioners in their decision-making about the appropriate evaluation and treatment of bladder disturbances that accompany hereditary spastic paraplegia.

[Transanal irrigation for bowel and anorectal management in spinal cord-injured patients]. / Intérêt des irrigations transanales dans la gestion des troubles intestinaux et ano-rectaux chez les blessés médullaires.

OBJECTIVE: Bowel dysfunction and disordered defecation are very common after spinal cord injury (SCI) and can have a major impact on patients' social life and quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of transanal irrigations (TAI) in the management of Bowel dysfunction in SCI patients. METHODS: Forty-five consecutive SCI patients using TAI were retrospectively included. TAI efficacy was assessed through Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction (NBD) score recorded before and after 8 weeks of regular use. Possible side effects were assessed with a semi-structured questionnaire. Patients who started TAI use at least 6 months previously were contacted to assess long-term compliance, efficacy and safety of TAI. RESULTS: After 8 weeks of regular use of TAI, the average NBD scores decreased by four points (P<0.0001) with a specific improvement in the items related to stool frequency (P: 0.036), occurrence of malaise, headache, or sweating during defecation (P: 0.043), use of drugs against constipation (P: 0.007) and frequency of fecal incontinence (P: 0.001). The main side effects were bleeding (10%) and abdominal pain (8%). At 6 months, 80% of the assessed patients had continued regular use of TAI with no particular problem. CONCLUSION: This study showed good medium and long-term efficacy and safety of TAI in the management of bowel dysfunction and defecation disorders in spinal cord-injured patients.

Safety of a new compact catheter for men with neurogenic bladder dysfunction: a randomised, crossover and open-labelled study.

STUDY DESIGN: Self-catheterising males aged ≥18 years with spinal cord lesion and normal/impaired urethral sensation were enrolled in this comparative, randomised, crossover and open-labelled multicentre trial. OBJECTIVES: When possible, intermittent catheterisation is the preferred method of bladder emptying for neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Hydrophilic-coated catheters have improved safety and ease of use, and a new compact catheter for men has been developed to improve discretion. METHODS: Participants self-catheterised at least four times daily for 14 days with a standard or compact catheter. The primary outcome measure was discomfort, using a visual analogue scale. Non-inferiority was defined as a difference in mean discomfort score of <0.9 cm. Other assessments included ease of use, discretion and the degree of pain, stinging or resistance. RESULTS: A total of 36 individuals participated and 30 were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The mean difference between catheters for participant discomfort was -0.347 cm (95% confidence intervals: -1.493, 0.800). There were significant differences (P≤0.0001) in favour of the compact catheter for disposal and discretion, and inserting, storing, carrying and controlling the catheter. Fewer participants experienced resistance with the compact catheter. Participants were less likely to touch the coated part of the compact catheter. One adverse event was reported for each catheter. CONCLUSIONS: The coated compact catheter is at least as acceptable to the user as the standard catheter, with no inferiority observed in the level of discomfort. Secondary endpoints suggest that there are advantages of using the compact catheter, particularly with regard to discretion and ease of use. SETTING: France/Denmark.

What is the place of electroneuromyographic studies in the diagnosis and management of pudendal neuralgia related to entrapment syndrome?

Entrapment of the pudendal nerve may be at the origin of chronic perineal pain. This syndrome must be diagnosed because this can result in the indication of surgical decompression of the entrapped nerve for pain relief. Electroneuromyographic (ENMG) investigation is often performed in this context, based on needle electromyography and the study of sacral reflex and pudendal nerve motor latencies. The limits of ENMG investigation, owing to various pathophysiological and technical considerations, should be known. The employed techniques do not assess directly the pathophysiological mechanisms of pain but rather correlate to structural alterations of the pudendal nerve (demyelination or axonal loss). In addition, only direct or reflex motor innervation is investigated, whereas sensory nerve conduction studies should be more sensitive to detect nerve compression. Finally, ENMG cannot differentiate entrapment from other causes of pudendal nerve lesion (stretch induced by surgical procedures, obstetrical damage, chronic constipation...). Thus, perineal ENMG has a limited sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome and does not give direct information about pain mechanisms. Pudendal neuralgia related to nerve entrapment is mainly suspected on specific clinical features and perineal ENMG examination provides additional, but no definitive clues, for the diagnosis or the localization of the site of compression. In fact, the main value of ENMG is to assess objectively pudendal motor innervation when a surgical decompression is considered. Perineal ENMG might predict the outcome of surgery but is of no value for intraoperative monitoring.

Clinical signs and radiographic evidence of esophageal perforation after tetraplegia.

A diagnosis of esophageal perforation at some time after cervical spine surgery is difficult to establish since there exists no clinical picture specific to tetraplegic patients. We carried out a detailed retrospective study of revelatory clinical manifestations and conventional radiographic data in a series of 16 patients hospitalized at Hôpital Henry-Gabrielle (Lyon, France) for rehabilitation purposes between 1983 and 2010 and who presented this complication. The most frequent clinical picture associates cervical pain, fever and dysphagia. Simple front and side X-rays of the cervical spine led in 77% of the cases to a diagnosis of esophageal perforation. The most prevalent radiographic signs of the latter consist in osteosynthesis hardware or instrumentation failure, prevertebral free air next to the cervical esophagus and enlarged prevertebral space. Visualized esophageal X-rays, also known as series, highlight parenchymal opacity next to the posterior wall of the esophagus. A diagnosis of esophageal perforation needs to be carried out in order to facilitate suitable treatment and avoid the compromising of vital functions.