Dropped head syndrome in severe hypotension.

INTRODUCTION: Dropped head syndrome (DHS) is characterized by a chin-on-chest deformity, correctable by passive neck extension. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A patient with a heavy nephrological history (dialyzed since 5 years) complained for twenty months about a falling head. The symptomatology was punctuated by dialysis sessions, with aggravation secondary to dialysis. Clinical and paraclinical exploration for neurological, neuromuscular or orthopedic disease was negative. Analysis of the post-dialysis blood pressure showed a slow and gradual decline. From the date the patient became symptomatic, blood pressure was below 80/40mmHg. The correction of blood pressure by increasing midodrine posology resulted in a cure of DHS. DISCUSSION: Considering the negativity of explorations, the cure of symptoms following the correction of arterial hypotension, the rhythmic nature of symptomatology by dialysis, and the recurrence of symptoms concomitantly with drops in blood pressure, we suggested that hypotension was the only etiology explaining this DHS.

[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.

Intermittent catheterization: Clinical practice guidelines from Association Française d'Urologie (AFU), Groupe de Neuro-urologie de Langue Française (GENULF), Société Française de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation (SOFMER) and Société Interdisciplinaire Francophone d'UroDynamique et de Pelvi-Périnéologie (SIFUD-PP).

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to provide guidelines covering all aspects of intermittent catheterisation (intermittent self-catheterisation and third-party intermittent catheterisation). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature based on Pubmed, Embase, Google scholar was initiated in December 2014 and updated in April 2019. Given the lack of robust data and the numerous unresolved controversial issues, guidelines were established based on the formal consensus of experts from steering, scoring and review panels. RESULTS: This allowed the formulation of 78 guidelines, extending from guidelines on indications for intermittent catheterisation, modalities for training and implementation, choice of equipment, management of bacteriuria and urinary tract infections, to the implementation of intermittent catheterisation in paediatric, geriatric populations, benign prostatic hyperplasia patients and continent urinary diversion patients with a cutaneous reservoir as well as other complications. These guidelines are pertinent to both intermittent self-catheterisation and third-party intermittent catheterisation. CONCLUSION: These are the first comprehensive guidelines specifically aimed at intermittent catheterisation and extend to all aspects of intermittent catheterisation. They assist in the clinical decision-making process, specifically in relation to indications and modalities of intermittent catheterisation options. These guidelines are intended for urologists, gynaecologists, geriatricians, paediatricians, neurologists, physical and rehabilitation physicians, general practitioners and other health professionals including nurses, carers….

[Antibiotic prophylaxis in urodynamics: Clinical practice guidelines using a formal consensus method]. / Antibioprophylaxie et bilan urodynamique : recommandations de bonne pratique par consensus formalisé.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to issue clinical practice guidelines on antibiotic prophylaxis in urodynamics (urodynamic studies, UDS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical practice guidelines were provided using a formal consensus method. Guidelines proposals were drew up by a multidisciplinary experts group (pilot group = steering group), then rated by a panel of 12 experts (rating group) using a formal consensus method, and then peer reviewed by a reviewing/reading group of experts (different from the rating group). RESULTS: Urine (bacterial) culture with antimicrobial susceptibility testing is recommended for all patients before UDS (strong agreement). In patients with no neurologic disease, the risk factors for tract urinary infection (UTI) after UDS are age > 70 years, recurrent UTI, and post-void residual volume > 100ml. In patients with neurologic disease, the risk factors for UTI after UDS are recurrent UTI, vesicoureteral reflux, and intermicturition pressure > 40cmH2O. If the urine culture is negative before UDS and there is no risk factor for UTI, antibiotic prophylaxis is not recommended (Strong agreement). If the urine culture is negative before UDS, but there are one or more risk factors for UTI, antibiotic prophylaxis is optional. If antibiotic prophylaxis is initiated, a single oral dose (3g) of fosfomycin-tromethamine two hours before UDS is recommended (Strong agreement). If there is bacterial colonization on UCB before UDS, antibiotic therapy is optional (Undecided). If prescribed, it should be adapted to the antimicrobial susceptibility of the identified bacterium or bacteria, started the day before and stopped after UDS (except for fosfomycin-tromethamine: a single dose the day before UDS is necessary and sufficient) (Strong agreement). In the event of UTI before UDS, the UTI should be treated and UDS postponed (Strong agreement). The proposed recommendations should not be changed for patients with a hip or knee replacement (Strong agreement). No antibiotic prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis is necessary, including in high-risk patients with valvular heart disease (Strong agreement). CONCLUSION: These new guidelines should help to harmonize clinical practice and limit exposure to antibiotics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

[The impact of mellitus diabetes on the lower urinary tract: A review of Neuro-urology Committee of the French Association of Urology]. / Le retentissement du diabète sur le bas appareil urinaire : une revue du comité de neuro-urologie de l'Association française d'urologie.

OBJECTIVES: Specify urinary functional impairment associated with diabetic pathology. Propose guidance for screening, monitoring of clinical signs of lower urinary tract (LUTS) and describe the specifics of the urological treatment of patients. METHODS: A review of literature using PubMed library was performed using the following keywords alone or in combination: "diabetes mellitus", "diabetic cystopathy", "overactive bladder", "bladder dysfunction", "urodynamics", "nocturia". RESULTS: LUTS are more common in the diabetic population with an estimated prevalence between 37 and 70 %, and are probably underevaluated in routine practice. They are heterogeneous and are frequently associated with other diabetic complications. Both storage and voiding symptoms can coexist. Despite a major evaluation in the literature, no recommendation supervises the assessment and management of LUTS in this specific population. An annual screening including medical history, bladder and kidney ultrasound and post-void residual measurement is required in the follow-up of diabetic patients. Specific urologial referral and urodynamic investigations will be performed according to the findings of first-line investigations. The type of bladder dysfunction, the risk of urinary tract infections and dysautonomia should be considered in the specific urological management of these patients. CONCLUSION: Diabetes mellitus significantly impacts on the lower urinary tract function. A screening of LUTS is required as well as other complications of diabetes. The management of LUTS must take into consideration the specific risks of the diabetic patient regarding the loss of bladder contractility, the possibility of dysautonomia and infectious complications.

[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.

[Multiple sclerosis and pelviperineology: Urinary and sexual dysfunctions and pregnancy]. / Sclérose en plaques et pelvipérinéologie : troubles vésico-sphinctériens, sexuels et maternité

GOAL: The aim was to review the literature on genito-urinary dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS). MATERIAL: A literature review through the PubMed library until August, 31 2013 was carried out using the following keywords: multiple sclerosis and neurogenic bladder, neuropathic bladder, bladder, management, follow-up, urological complications, urological treatment, sexual dysfunction, female sexual function, male sexual function, erectile dysfunction, anorectal, faecal, constipation, bowel, pregnancy, parturition, delivery, breast-feeding. RESULTS: Genito-urinary dysfunction is frequent in MS (35-90%) and may happen soon in the disease. Urinary symptoms (10-90%) are manifold resulting in a quality of life alteration and the onset of complications in 30% of the cases requiring a long-term follow-up. Sexual dysfunctions (35-87%) are also manifold affecting all the sexuality domains in men and women. Except the phosphodiesterase V inhibitors, few treatments have been assessed in this population. Pregnancy is nowadays considered as beneficial resulting in a disease slow-down and the lack of disease worsening despite an increase in disease relapse during the post-partum first quarter. It seems to be better to consider getting pregnant after at least one year without any relapse and to emphasize an exclusive breast-feeding. CONCLUSION: Urinary and sexual dysfunctions are frequent in MS. A transdisciplinary approach including the neurologist and pelviperineology specialists facilitates a disability adapted early management.

[Lower urinary tract dysfunctions in parkinsonian syndromes: a review by the Neuro-Urology Comittee of the French Association of Urology]. / Troubles vésicosphinctériens des syndromes parkinsoniens: une revue du comité de neuro-urologie de l'Association française d'urologie.

INTRODUCTION: Lower urinary tract disorders (LUTD) are common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and other parkinsonian syndromes (PS). They are responsible for a significant morbidity and mortality and impair patients' quality of life. The therapeutic management of these LUTD requires to know how to distinguish the PD from other PS and their epidemiology and pathophysiology. OBJECTIVE: To provide a diagnostic and therapeutic management of LUTD in patients with PS. METHOD: A review of litterature using PubMed library was performed using the following keywords: Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, lower urinary tract disorders, neurogenic bladder, overactive bladder, obstruction, anticholinergics, dopamine, prostate surgery. RESULTS: Sometimes revealing the neurological disease, LUTD in PS raise a diagnostic problem because they occur at an age when various urogynecological disorders can be intricated with neurogenic bladder dysfunction. The differential diagnosis between PD and multiple system atrophy is important to know by the urologist. The distinction is based on the semiological analysis, the clinical response to dopaminergic therapy and the clinical outcome but also on data from urodynamic explorations. The therapeutic management of these LUTD cannot be easy due to the difficulty of use of some pharmacological treatments and the risk of deterioration after inappropriate surgery. The different treatments include the careful use of anticholinergics, posterior tibial nerve stimulation, deep thalamic stimulation and low-dose intradetrusor injections of botulinum toxin without approval. The decision to perform prostate surgery will be taken with caution after proving the bladder obstruction. CONCLUSION: When analysing LUTD in PS, the urologist must know to question the initial diagnosis of PD. Treatments in order to reduce morbidity and mortality of these LUTD and to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from these degenerative diseases, will be proposed after multidisciplinary neuro-urologic concertation. The decision to perform prostate surgery must be taken with caution after proving sub-vesical obstruction.

[Expert opinion on surgical care pathway management of neurologic patients from Neuro-Urology Committee of the French National Association of Urology (AFU)]. / Le parcours de l'opéré en neuro-urologie: de la programmation opératoire à la convalescence. L'avis d'expert du Comité de Neuro-Urologie de l'AFU.

The surgical care pathway of neurologic patients has two aims: preventing urinary morbidity and mortality and improving their quality of life. It requires taking into account the specificities of disabilities in domains of body functions: circulatory, ventilation and digestive physiology, motor functions, sensory functions, mental functions, and skin fragility which are responsible of dependencies in this heterogeneous group of patients. This management is necessarily multidisciplinary to be optimal and through specific clinical care pathway, providing guidance to the surgical procedure: preparation of the surgery, its realization, and post-operative rehabilitation. The indication for surgery must be coordinated and validated in neuro-urology multidisciplinary staff. Preoperative stay in a physical and rehabilitation medicine center may be useful to ensure a complete assessment and anticipate problems related to surgery. The patient will be hospitalized in the urology department in a single room suited to their disabilities and handicaps. The chronic treatments should be not modified if possible. The lack of sensitivity does not dispense anesthesia to prevent autonomic hyperreflexia, the most severe complication after high complete spinal cord injury. The laparoscopy and sub-peritoneal surgery, the early removal nasogastric tube and early refeeding make it possible to early resumption of intestinal transit. In many cases, the patients should be transferred to a physical and rehabilitation medicine during post-operative period where the nursing care will be most suitable. A quickly adapted rehabilitation must be able to reduce loss of function and physical dependence.

Intermittent self-catheterization habits and opinion on aseptic VaPro catheter in French neurogenic bladder population.

STUDY DESIGN: Interventional, multi-center, open-label, randomized and crossover study. OBJECTIVES: The study objectives were to describe the current catheterization habits of the French neurogenic bladder patients using intermittent catheterization (IC), and to evaluate the ease of use, reliability and patients' comfort and patients' acceptance of the new 'no-touch', presumably easy-to-use VaPro catheter. SETTING: Patients were recruited from 11 centers in France. METHODS: In total, 106 men and women (age 18-65 years) with neurogenic bladder using IC at least four times a day were randomized into two groups. All subjects were trained to use the approved 'no-touch' method. A questionnaire evaluating patients' experiences was distributed before the start of the trial and after each 15-day period of catheter use, that is, VaPro vs conventional catheter. RESULTS: The majority of patients in this French IC user panel had very strong catheterization habits: 2/3 of them had been using IC for >2 years with high ease of use and comfort. Nevertheless, >50% of patients would recommend the VaPro catheter to other people who need IC. More than three out of four patients felt confident and more secure with the new catheter. Men and spinal cord injury (SCI) patients were significantly more positive about the VaPro catheter than women and patients without SCI, respectively. CONCLUSION: The VaPro catheter is an acceptable and reliable alternative to the existing hydrophilic-coated 'no-touch' catheter. SPONSORSHIP: This study was sponsored by Hollister France Inc.

[Alternative treatments for interstitial cystitis]. / Les traitements de recours dans la cystite interstitielle.

Interstitial cystitis is the first cause of bladder pain. In case of failure of the usual treatments, several other modalities have been proposed. These therapeutic modalities are posterior sacral root neuromodulation, posterior tibial nerve stimulation, vanilloid agent intravesical instillation, intradetrusor botulinum toxin injections and surgery. A certain efficiency of each of these treatments in the interstitial cystitis has been reported. However, the evaluation of these treatments is limited and the level of evidence is too low to propose these treatments in routine.

[Criteria and best clinical practice guidelines for first intradetrusor injection of botulinum toxin type A to treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity]. / Critères de décision et recommandations de bonne pratique clinique pour la première injection intradétrusorienne de toxine botulique A dans le traitement de l'hyperactivité neurogène du détrusor.

Botulinum toxin A intradetrusor injections have revolutionised the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Based on a systematic literature review, the french speaking group of neuro-urology (Genulf) propose clinical guidelines concerning the indications of the first injection.

[Peripheral electrical stimulation in neurogenic bladder]. / Electrostimulation périphérique et neurovessie.

For many years peripheral electrical stimulation has been performed to treat urinary tract dysfunction in neurogenic patients. Numerous methods have been used, involving sacral roots as peripheral nerve and pelvic organs. All of them are not valuable today. Sacral neuromodulation, tibial posterior and pudendal nerve stimulation have been successful for treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity in the short/middle term. Methods and respective interest of the main procedures will be discussed.

[Patient follow-up after botulinum toxin intradetrusor injection. Proposal for management in neurogenic patients]. / Suivi des patients après injection de toxine botulique intradétrusorienne Recommandations de bonne pratique clinique chez le patient neurologique.

Injections of botulinum toxin into the detrusor is a major evolution for treatment of neurogenic bladder. They are now considered as a treatment of choice, safe and efficient, in refractory neurogenic overactivity in catheterized patient. To date, there are no consensual practical guidelines for the follow-up of patients having been treated by intradetrusor botulinum toxin, whatever the indication of the treatment, functional, that is, for improving continence and overactive bladder syndrome or organic, that is, for treatment of high-detrusor pressure and their deleterious impact of urinary tract. This lack of guidelines leads to heterogeneity of treatment management and limit the definition of optimal modalities of intradetrusor botulinum toxin treatment in neurogenic patients. The aim of your work, prepared jointly with the International Francophone Neuro-Urological expert study group (GENULF), aimed at putting forward well-informed specific recommendations for the follow-up of patients having been treated by intradetrusor botulinum toxin for functional or organic indication of neurogenic detrusor overactivity.

[Indications and results of intradetrusor of botulinum toxin type A injections in children]. / Indications et résultats des injections intradétrusoriennes de toxine botulique type A chez l'enfant.

OBJECTIVE: The authors report their experience of intradetrusor injections of botulinum toxin type A (TBA) in children. This treatment was deliberately limited to patients with acquired neurogenic bladder, high detrusor pressures and urinary incontinence despite anticholinergic therapy. MATERIAL: Six children with a mean age of 11.6 years (range: five to 18 years) treated by intermittent catheterization presented an indication for intradetrusor injection of TBA. One half of these patients presented recurrent urinary tract infections. Their leak point pressure was greater than or equal to 40 cmH(2)O (mean: 67+/-33.6) and the bladder capacity of these children was less than the capacity predicted for age (mean: 68%+/-32.8). TBA was injected into 20 to 30 sites by cystoscopy at a dose of 12 IU/kg of body weight (maximum dose: 300 IU). RESULTS: No adverse effects were observed. Only one child still presented incontinence, but only during urinary tract infections. Four children were able to stop their anticholinergic treatment. Two months after the injection, all children had normal detrusor pressures (mean: 24.2+/-7.4 cmH(2)O). The maximum cystomanometric capacity then exceeded the predicted capacity (113%+/-22). CONCLUSION: In acquired neurogenic bladder with detrusor hyperactivity, TBA protects the upper urinary tract (by decreasing detrusor pressures) and controls urinary incontinence (by increasing the functional bladder capacity), without preventing subsequent bladder augmentation.

Sacral neuromodulation as a functional treatment of bladder overactivity.

Sacral neuromodulation, namely the electrical stimulation of the sacral nerves has become an alternative treatment for cases of idiopathic bladder overactivity. The mechanism of action in this type of spinal cord modulation is only partially understood but it seems to involve stimulation of inhibitory interneurons. Temporary sacral nerve stimulation is the first step. It consists of the temporary application of neurostimulation as a diagnostic test in order to check the integrity of the sacral root and determine the best location for the implant. If the test stimulation is successful, a permanent device is implanted. In experienced hands, this is a safe procedure. When the patients are selected on the basis of sound criteria, more than three-quarters of them show a clinically significant improvement with a reduction in the frequency of incontinence episodes by more than 50%; however, the results vary according to each author's method of evaluation. The application of this technique should be combined with careful follow-up and attentive adjustments of the stimulation parameters in order to optimize the coordination of activity between the neurological systems involved.

[Pharmacological treatment of neurogenic detrusor hyperactivity: oral, patch, intravesical instillation]. / Traitement pharmacologique de l'hyperactivité détrusorienne neurologique: per os, en patch, en instillation endo-vésicale.

Functional rehabilitation of neurourological patients always starts with patient education, retraining, and occupational therapy, possibly completed by medical treatments. In the light of a systematic review of the literature, the authors describe the various treatments that can be used orally and by intravesical instillation in these patients. They also describe treatments such as desmopressin or agents that increase sphincter pressure, which can sometimes be very useful to obtain stable clinical results that are satisfactory for the patient.

[Lower urinary tract dysfunction and multiple sclerosis]. / Troubles vésico-sphinctériens et sclérose en plaques.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease characterized by multiple demyelinating lesions disseminated throughout the central nervous system (nerve conduction block). The management of these patients requires a perfect knowledge of the natural history of the disease. In this article, the authors review the literature to identify the most frequent voiding disorders observed in this disease and then study the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities and the optimal modalities of follow-up in these patients, in view of the risk of various urological complications.