How to define failure of intradetrusor injections of botulinum toxin A for neurogenic detrusor overactivity.

INTRODUCTION: Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) has a major impact on patients' quality of life and can lead to upper urinary tract complications. Intradetrusor botulinum toxin type A injections are administered as second-line treatment to these patients following the failure of anticholinergic agents. The aim of the DETOX 2 study is to propose a consensus definition of the failure of intradetrusor botulinum toxin injections for NDO in patients presenting spinal cord injury, spina bifida, or multiple sclerosis (MS) with self-catheterization. METHOD: This study followed the method adopted by the French National Authority for Health for recommendations by consensus. Based on a review of the literature and a preliminary survey, a steering committee compiled a questionnaire and selected a rating group comprising 16 experts from the Neuro-Urology Committee of the French Urology Association (cnuAFU) and Genulf. The experts were asked to complete the online questionnaire. At the end of the first round, all participants came together to discuss any disagreements and a second-round online questionnaire was completed to reach a consensus. RESULTS: Thirteen of the 16 experts approached completed both rounds of questionnaires. A strong consensus was reached for two proposals (median score = 9/10) which were therefore included in the definition from the first round: at least one repeat injection of the same botulinum toxin at the same dose must be given to rule out failure on technical grounds and a duration of efficacy <3 months must be considered a failure. At the end of round 2, a relative consensus was reached regarding the clinical criterion defining failure (median score = 7/10) and the urodynamic criterion of failure (median score = 8/10). An additional proposal was selected during this second round on the need for a voiding diary (median score = 8/10). CONCLUSION: The first consensus definition of failure of an intradetrusor injection of TB-A for NDO has been achieved with this study: persistence of detrusor overactivity with maximum detrusor pressures >40 cm H2O and/or a compliance issue and/or persistence of urinary incontinence and/or urgency and/or a number of daily self-catheterizations >8/day and/or efficacy <3 months. This study will help to standardize research on the failure of the intradetrusor botulinum toxin for NDO in clinical practice and clinical research.

[Uroflowmetry: A follow-up tool for neurogenic bladder patients treated by transcutaneous tibial posterior stimulation?] / Débitmétrie : outil de suivi chez les patients avec vessie neurologique traités par neurostimulation tibiale postérieure ?

OBJECTIVE: Neurogenic bladders can suffer from overactivity, underactivity or dyssynergia depending on the level of the initial lesion. These symptoms can lead to severe alterations of the upper urinary tract. One of the first-line treatments is the transcutaneous tibial posterior stimulation (TTNS), which was demonstrated to be efficient on urodynamics. But it is an invasive, expensive and sometimes not patient-accepted examination, contrary to the uroflowmetry. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of a follow-up with a uroflowmetry when treated by TTNS and show that the maximum flow rate increased after treatment, displaying a better detrusor contraction. METHODS: In total, 38 patients with neurogenic bladder undergoing a 12-weeks TTNS treatment and with 2 uroflowmetries interpretable before and after treatment were included. The maximum flow rate (Qmax), the urinated volume and the post-void residual (PVR) were retrieved from the uroflowmetry, and the USP-score and the urinary discomfort were asked at each appointment. RESULTS: Qmax is increased from 17,53ml/s to 18,26ml/s, as well as the PVR (from 76,97ml to 79,16ml). Urinated volume is decreased from 241,4ml to 193,66ml. Patients feel enhanced after TTNS according to the decrease in the USP-score and the urinary discomfort scale. CONCLUSION: The increase of the cystomanometric capacity and the delay of the detrusor overactivity due to TTNS explains the reduction of the urinated volume and the increase of PVR. Increased Qmax might show a better voluntary bladder contraction, with a restraint due to the lack of abdominal pressure measurement during voiding.

Risk factors for upper urinary tract deterioration in adult patients with spina bifida.

PURPOSE: Neurogenic bladder associated with spina bifida disease remains a major cause for mortality or morbidity due to kidney damages. However, we currently do not know which urodynamic findings are associated with an higher risk of upper tract damages in spina bifida patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate urodynamic findings associated with functional kidney failure and/or with morphological kidney damages. METHODS: A large single-center restrospective study was conducted in our national referral center for spina bifida patients using our patients' files. All urodynamics curves were assessed by the same examinator. Functional and/or morphological evaluation of the upper urinary tract were done at the same moment as the urodynamic exam (between 1 week before and 1 month after). Kidney function was assessed using creatinine serum levels or 24 h urinary creatinine levels (creatinine clearance) for walking patients, or with the 24 h urinary creatinine level for wheelchair-users. RESULTS: We included 262 spina bifida patients in this study. Fifty-five patients had a poor bladder compliance (21.4%) and 88 of them had detrusor overactivity (33.6%). Twenty patients had a stage 2 kidney failure (eGFR < 60 ml/min) and 81 patients out of 254 (30.9%) had an abnormal morphological examination. There were three urodynamic findings significantly associated with UUTD: bladder compliance (OR = 0.18; p = 0.007), Pdetmax (OR = 14.7; p = 0.003) and detrusor overactivity (OR = 1.84; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: In this large series of spina bifida patients, maximum detrusor pressure and bladder compliance are the main urodynamic findings determinants of UUTD risk.

Transanal irrigation is a better choice for bowel dysfunction in adults with Spina bifida: A randomised controlled trial.

AIM: To compare transanal irrigation with conservative bowel management for the treatment of bowel dysfunction in Spina bifida (SB) patients. METHODS: Patients with SB and bowel dysfunction were randomly assigned to receive either transanal irrigation or conservative bowel management. The effectiveness of the treatment was defined as a decrease of 4 points in the neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) score at week 10. Data on incontinence (Cleveland scores; Jorge-Wexner [JW]) and constipation (Knowles-Eccersley-Scott Symptom Constipation Score [KESS]) were recorded at 10 and 24 weeks after inclusion. Data were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients were randomised: 16 patients to conservative bowel management and 18 patients to transanal irrigation. A total of 19/31 (61%) patients improved at week 10, 13 (76%) in the transanal irrigation group versus six (43%) in the conservative group (p = 0.056). In the irrigation group, the decrease in NBD score was -6.9 (-9.9 to -4.02) versus -1.9 (-6.5 to -2.8) in the conservative group (p = 0.049 in univariate and p = 0.004 in multivariate analysis). The NBD, Cleveland (JW and KESS) and Rosenberg scores were significantly lower in the transanal irrigation group than in the conservative bowel management group at week 10. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective, randomised, controlled, multicentre study in adult patients with SB suggests that transanal irrigation may be more effective than conservative bowel management.

French cross-cultural adaptation and validity of the Moorong Self-Efficacy scale: the MSES-FR, a measure of Self-Efficacy for French people with spinal cord injury.

PURPOSE: To adapt the Moorong Self-Efficacy Scale (MSES) in the French language and determine its psychometric proprieties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After a back-translation process, an expert committee was solicited to develop the French Self Efficacy Scale, thanks to a Delphi method, regarding theoretical framework and concepts explored. A total of 201 patients with SCI were included to explore internal consistency, internal and external structure validity assessed with the General Self-Efficacy scale, MOS Health Survey Short-Form, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Way of Coping Check-list, Perceived Stress Scale, Social Support Questionnaire, Self-Esteem questionnaire, and Satisfaction With Life Scale. The retest was performed 4 days later with a randomized version of the MSES-Fr. RESULTS: The 16 items are distributed in 3 different dimensions: Interpersonal Self-Efficacy (4 items), Instrumental Self-Efficacy (4 items) and Participation Self-Efficacy (6 items). The internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach α = .87). Results evidenced significant correlations with the MSES-Fr and other related psychological constructs (self-esteem, mood, quality of life). Reproducibility was good for the total score of the MSES-Fr (ICC = .74) and for the 3 dimensions of the scale. CONCLUSIONS: The MSES-Fr is a valid and reliable tool to assess self-efficacy in persons with spinal cord injury.Implications for rehabilitationThe Moorong Self-Efficacy Scale (MSES) is commonly used in persons with SCI for evaluating the level of perceived effectiveness in living with a disability.Validity and reliability studies of the MSES-Fr show good psychometrics properties in people with SCI.The French version of the MSES has been cross-culturally translated and is ready to be used clinically.

Evaluation of safety and performance of the self balancing walking system Atalante in patients with complete motor spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, open label, observational. OBJECTIVES: To present results of the first clinical study on a newly developed robotic exoskeleton (Atalante®, Wandercraft, Paris, France) that enables individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) to perform ambulatory functions without technical aids. SETTING: Two sites specialized in SCI rehabilitation, France. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were presence of chronic complete SCI (AIS A) ranging from T5 to T12. The study protocol included 12 one-hour training sessions during 3 weeks. Patients walked on floor with robotic assistance and wore a harness connected to a mobile suspension system (without weight-bearing) to prevent from falling. Main outcome was the ability to walk 10 meters unassisted, secondary outcomes were assessment of other ambulatory functions, bladder and bowel functions, pain and spasticity. RESULTS: Twelve patients were enrolled, and 11 completed the protocol, mean age 33,9 years. Six patients had T6 levels of lesion or above. Seven patients passed the 10mWT at the 12th session unassisted (mean walking speed 0.13 m/s) while four required some human help. All patients succeeded at the other ambulatory tests (stand-up, sit-down, balance, turn). There were no significant change for bladder (Qualiveen) or bowel (NBD) functions, neuropathic pain (NPSI, NPRS), yet five patients reported a subjective improvement of their bowel function. Impact on spasticity was variable depending on the muscle examined (Ashworth). Ischial skin erosion was seen in one patient that needed local dressing. CONCLUSION: The Atalante system is safe and enables to perform ambulatory functions in patients with complete SCI.

Assessment of sacral spinal excitability using stimulus-response curves of the bulbocavernosus reflex.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and quantify sacral spinal excitability through bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) stimulus-response curves. METHODS: Thirty subjects with upper motor neuron lesions (UMN) and nine controls were included in this prospective, monocentric study. Sacral spinal excitability was assessed using stimulus-response curves of the BCR, modeled at different bladder filling volumes relative to the desire to void (as defined by the International Continence Society) during a cystometry. Variations in α (i.e. the slope of the stimulus-response curve) were considered as an indicator of the modulation of sacral spinal excitability. RESULTS: In all subjects, α increased during bladder filling suggesting the modulation of spinal sacral excitability during the filling phase. This increase was over 30% in 96.7% of neurological subjects and 88.9% of controls. The increase was higher before the first sensation to void in the neurological population (163.15%), compared to controls, (29.91%), p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: We showed the possibility of using BCR stimulus-response curves to characterize sacral spinal response with an amplification of this response during bladder filling as well as a difference in this response amplification in patients with UMN in comparison with a control group. SIGNIFICANCE: BCR, through stimulus-response curves, might be an indicator of pelvic-perineal exaggerated reflex response and possibly a tool for evaluating treatment effectiveness.

Determinants and prognostic value of post-operative maximum urethral closure pressure after artificial urinary sphincter in men.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the determinants and prognostic value of post-operative maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) after AUS implantation in male patients. METHODS: The charts of all male patients who had an AUS implantation between 2008 and 2018 at a single center were reviewed retrospectively for an exploratory study. A post-operative urethral profilometry was performed systematically as part of routine daily practice over the study period to assess the post-operative MUCP with the AUS consecutively closed (c-MUCP) and opened (o-MUCP). The difference between c-MUCP and the manufacturer's theoretical pressure objective determined by the pressure regulating balloon (PRB) was calculated (diff-th-MUCP). The primary endpoint was social continence at 3 months defined as 0-1 protection/day. RESULTS: Ninety patients were included. The median age was 71 years, and the median follow-up was 50 months. The etiology of incontinence was radical prostatectomy in 84% of cases, and endoscopic prostate surgery in 6.6% of patients. There were 74.4% of patients who were socially continent at 3 months. The c-MCUP was significantly higher in the continent group (53 [42.2, 60.2] vs 62 [58, 70] p = 0.02). The diff-th-MUCP did not differ significantly between the two groups (18 [0, 23] vs 1 [- 2, 7.7] p = 0.29). The c-MUCP was not statistically associated with the risk of revision and/or explantation. CONCLUSION: The MUCP after AUS implantation in male patients often differs from the manufacturer's pressure objective. The postoperative c-MUCP might be significantly associated with functional outcomes suggesting that it might be a valuable tool for treatment decision-making. This should be confirmed by larger studies.

Urologic Disorders are Still the Leading Cause of In-hospital Death in Patients With Spina Bifida.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and analyze the contemporary causes of in-hospital deaths of spina bifida patients. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional observational study of the longitudinal national cohort of all patients hospitalized in French public and private hospitals. We analyzed the data from the French hospital discharge database (Programme de Médicalisation des Systemes d'Information, PMSI) from 2009 to 2014. The number of in-hospital deaths was extracted using the combination of the ICD-10 codes "Q05" or "Q760" and a discharge code = 9. RESULTS: There were 138 in-hospital deaths of spina bifida patients over the 6-year study period. The median age at death was 41 years (IQR: 25-52). The median age at death was significantly lower in patients with vs without hydrocephalus (26.6 vs 45.5 years; P <.0001). The leading cause of in-hospital death was urologic disorders (n = 24; 17.3%). Other main causes of death were pulmonary disorders (n = 23; 16.7%), neurologic disorders (n = 19; 13.8%), and bowel disorders (n = 15; 10.9%). Upper urinary tract damage accounted for most of the urologic causes of death: 8 patients died from urinary tract infections (33.3%), 7 patients died from renal failure (29.2%), 4 died from bladder cancer (16.7%), and 5 from other urologic causes. The only variable significantly associated with a death from urologic causes was the absence of hydrocephalus (OR = 0.26; P = .009). CONCLUSION: Urologic disorders remain the leading cause of in-hospital death in spina bifida patients in France. The present study highlights that efforts to improve the urologic management of the spina bifida population are still greatly needed.

Urinary biomarkers profiles in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity according to their neurological condition.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the disease-specific urinary levels variations of neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF), mediators of inflammation (TGFß-1, PGE-2) and markers of extracellular matrix alterations (TIMP-2) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) spinal cord injury (SCI), or spina bifida (SB), and neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO). METHODS: A prospective single-center study was conducted between March 2015 and March 2017. Patients aged over 18 years old, with neurological disease, with a urodynamic diagnosis of NDO were included. The urinary levels of NGF, BDNF, TIMP-2, PGE 2, and TGF-ß1 were measured using dedicated ELISA kits. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were included: 6 with MS, 20 with SCI, and 15 with spina bifida. The average urinary level of NGF/Cr was significantly higher in MS patients compared to other neurologic populations (8 vs. 0.56 vs. 1.25 pg/mg of creatinine; p = 0.001) as well for the average urinary level of BDNF (88.3 vs. 5 vs. 4.8 pg/mg of creatinine; p < 0.0001). SCI patients had a significantly lower level of TGFß-1 than SB patients (p = 0.04). The urinary level of PGE2 was significantly correlated with the Body Mass Index (r = 0.61; p = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: All NDO may not be created equal from the molecular standpoint. Multiple sclerosis patients had higher urinary levels of neurotrophins than in other neurologic populations with NDO. Urinary TGFß-1, a strong determinant of extracellular matrix, was significantly higher in spina bifida patients compared to SCI patients. These findings underscore the importance of using and interpreting those possible urinary markers in a disease-specific fashion.

Contrast-enhanced CT Texture Parameters as Predictive Markers of High-risk Urodynamic Features in Adult Patients with Spina Bifida.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate computed tomography (CT) texture analysis of the bladder wall as a predictor of urodynamics findings in adult patient with spina bifida. METHODS: A single-center prospective trial was conducted from March 2015 to March 2017 including all consecutive adult spina bifida patients seen for urodynamic testing. A contrast-enhanced abdominal CT was systematically performed in all patients during the same visit. Texture features of the bladder wall related to the gray-level histogram and gray-level co-occurrence were evaluated on CT images. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of poor bladder compliance and detrusor overactivity among clinical and texture parameters. RESULTS: Fourty patients were included. The Lasso penalized logistic regression analysis identified 2 texture parameters as potential predictors of poor bladder compliance: Skewness (coefficient weight, -1.81) and S.1.1.SumVarnc (coefficient weight, -3.52). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed skewness (odds ratio [confidence interval 95%] = 0.40 [0.14, 0.97], P = .04) as an independent predictor of poor bladder compliance. The Lasso penalized logistic regression analysis identified one texture parameters as potential predictor of detrusor overactivity: Kurtosis (coefficient weight, -3.52), which was confirmed in multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio [confidence interval 95%] = 1.12 [1.01, 1.55], P = .02). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that CT texture analysis of the bladder wall might be an interesting tool to identify spina bifida patients with high risk urodynamic features.

Urinary TIMP-2 and MMP-2 are significantly associated with poor bladder compliance in adult patients with spina bifida.

AIMS: To assess the predictive values of six urinary markers (nerve growth factor [NGF], brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF], matrix metalloproteinase 2 [MMP-2], tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase 2 [TIMP-2], transformation growth factor ß-1 [TGF-B1], and prostaglandin 2 [PGE2]) for adverse urodynamic features and for upper urinary tract damage in adult patients with spina bifida. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center prospective trial was conducted from March 2015 to March 2017 including all consecutive adult patients with spina bifida seen for urodynamic testing. The urine was collected and stored at -80°C. A urodynamic and an upper urinary tract were systematically performed. At the end of the inclusion period, urines were defrosted and urinary nerve growth factor, BDNF, TIMP-2, and TGF-B1 were assessed using validated ELISA kits. The urinary markers levels were adjusted on the urinary creatinine level. Urinary MMP-2 levels were assessed by zymography. RESULTS: Fourty patients were included. Only TIMP-2 and MMP-2 were significantly associated with poor bladder compliance (P = .043 and P = .039, respectively). TIMP-2 was also the only urinary marker significantly associated with upper urinary tract damage on imaging (OR = 19.81; P = .02). Of all urodynamic parameters, bladder compliance and maximum detrusor pressure were the only ones associated with upper urinary tract damage on imaging (P = .01 and P = .02), The diagnostic performances of urinary TIMP-2 for upper urinary tract damage were slightly superior to PdetMax and bladder compliance with an area under the curve of 0.72. CONCLUSION: Urinary TIMP-2 and MMP-2 were significantly associated with poor bladder compliance and urinary TIMP-2 was significantly associated with upper urinary tract damage. These findings support a pathophysiological role of extracellular matrix remodeling in poor bladder compliance of adult patients with spina bifida.

Diagnosis and treatment of urinary and sexual dysfunction in hereditary TTR amyloidosis.

PURPOSE: We aimed to review the current knowledge on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of urinary and sexual dysfunction in patients with TTR amyloidosis (ATTR). METHODS: We performed a review of the literature, screening for randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective series, position papers, and guidelines on urinary and sexual dysfunction in ATTR patients published in PubMed and Embase. RESULTS: Lower urinary tract dysfunction is present in up to 83% of patients with ATTR. Voiding symptoms are the most common, reported in 34.8-87.5% of patients, while urinary tract infections are reported in up to 50%. Urinary incontinence is observed in 16.7-37.5% of the ATTR population, mostly due to decreased urethral resistance. Sexual dysfunction affects over 40% of ATTR patients, with erectile dysfunction and sexual arousal disorder being the most common symptoms in male and female patients, respectively. In addition to a thorough clinical examination, invasive pressure-flow urodynamic testing is a cornerstone in the assessment of ATTR lower urinary tract dysfunction. The most common finding is detrusor underactivity and intrinsic sphincter deficiency. Poor bladder compliance can also be observed in patients, due to amyloid deposits on the bladder wall. Urinary tract imaging may be of interest to rule out upper urinary tract deterioration. Given the paucity of data in the ATTR population, treatment should be tailored to the individual patient. CONCLUSION: Urinary and sexual dysfunction are highly prevalent in ATTR patients. Comprehensive assessment and multidisciplinary management are keys to avoiding upper urinary tract damage and improving patients' quality of life.

Management of urethrocutaneous fistulae complicating sacral and perineal pressure ulcer in neurourological patients: A national multicenter study from the French-speaking Neuro-urology Study Group and the Neuro-urology committee of the French Association of Urology.

PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiologic characteristics of urethrocutaneous fistulae (UCF) in sacro-perineal pressure ulcer (SPPU) in neurourological patients and to assess outcomes after surgical urinary diversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through the French-speaking Neurourology Study Group and Association of Urology network, a retrospective multicenter study in nine major urology and physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) units was conducted. All patients with SPPU associated with UCF between 2000 and 2016 were included. Data concerning: sociodemography, clinical, medical and biological comorbidities, neurological and urological history, pressure ulcer characteristics, and finally urinary diversion surgery were collected. Complications and SPPU healing/relapse were assessed. RESULTS: In all, 74 patients were included. The median age on diagnosis: 45.9 years (interquartile range [IQR], 38.7-53.4) and median follow-up: 15.1 months (IQR, 5.7-48.8). A psychiatric disorder was the most frequent comorbidity (44.6%). Only 59.5% and 50% had regular PMR and urologic follow-up, respectively. Seventy-one patients (95.9%) underwent urinary diversion surgery. Among those, relapse occurred in 15 (21.1%) at the end of the follow-up. The diversion was noncontinent in 85.9%. The major complications rate was 26.8%. A total of 30 late complications in 21 patients were reported. The most frequent was obstructive pyelonephritis (n = 9). All of the patients who underwent surgical diversion without cystectomy (n = 5) developed a pyocyst. Finally, the pressure ulcer healing rate when patients underwent both urinary diversion and pressure ulcer surgery was 74.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Our retrospective data suggest that UCF complicating SPPU is a rare and severe pathology. The combination of radical urinary diversion with cystectomy and pressure ulcer surgery should be performed as often as possible.

Risk of prolapse and urinary complications in adult spina bifida patients with neurogenic acontractile detrusor using clean intermittent catheterization versus Valsalva voiding.

AIMS: To assess the relative risks of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary complications in adult spina bifida patients with neurogenic acontractile detrusor voiding with Valsalva versus those using clean-intermittent catheterization (CIC). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis including all spina bifida patients with neurogenic acontractile detrusor with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Patients were then divided in two groups according to their bladder management: voiding with Valsalva versus CIC. The primary endpoint was any de novo or worsened rectal and/or pelvic organ prolapse (POP) diagnosed during follow-up. The secondary outcome was urinary complications defined as febrile urinary tract infections (UTI) and/or urolithiasis and/or renal failure. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients (50.9% were males) met the inclusion/exclusion criteria: 28 voiding with Valsalva and 27 performing CIC. At baseline, the rates of vaginal prolapse (44.4% vs 50%; P = 0.99), and rectal prolapse/intussusception (25.9% vs 21.4%; P = 0.76) were similar in both groups. After a median follow-up of 80.6 and 65.6 months, respectively (P = 0.29), the rate of de novo or worsened rectal prolapse/intussusception was higher in the Valsalva voiding group than in the CIC group (32.1% vs 3.7%; P = 0.01). De novo or worsened vaginal prolapses were also more common in the Valsalva voiding group, but it did not reach statistical significance (33.3% vs 11.1%; P = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS: Valsalva voiding might be harmful in adult spina bifida patients with neurogenic acontractile detrusor as it may increase the risk of rectal prolapse/intussusception. Overall, the prevalence of POP and rectal prolapse was high in both groups.

Comparison of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunctions in open versus closed spinal dysraphism: A prospective cross-sectional study of 318 patients.

AIMS: To compare the neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) in patients with closed spinal dysraphism (CSD) versus patients with open spinal dysraphism (OSD) as well as their management patterns. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2007 and December 2015 including all spina bifida patients seen at the multidisciplinary French national referral center for spina bifida. NLUTD and its management were compared between the OSD and CSD groups. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighteen patients were included for analysis: 100 with a CSD (31.5%) and 218 with an OSD (68.6%). The prevalence of urinary incontinence did not differ significantly between the two groups (43% vs 52.8%; P = 0.11), the mean Qualiveen score was also similar (2.7 vs 2.5, P = 0.22). The voiding mechanism was clean intermittent catheterization, spontaneous voiding, suprapubic tube, and ileal conduit in 55% versus 44%; 29.8% versus 47%; 2.8% versus 3% and 11.9% versus 6% of OSD and CSD patients, respectively (P = 0.02). There were comparable prevalences of detrusor overactivity (36.5% vs 38.8%; P = 0.68) and impaired bladder compliance (34.9% vs 31.7%; P = 0.56) in both groups. Augmentation cystoplasty was more common in patients with OSD (32.1% vs 11%; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective cohort, NLUTD were more common in OSD with a higher rate of patients requiring a surgical treatment and a lower rate of patients with preserved spontaneous voiding. However, when present, NLUTD was as severe and troublesome in patients with closed versus open spinal dysraphism.

Switch to Abobotulinum toxin A may be useful in the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity when intradetrusor injections of Onabotulinum toxin A failed.

AIMS: To assess the outcomes of switching to a different brand of botulinum toxin A (BTA, from Botox® to Dysport®) in case of failure of intradetrusor injections (IDI) of Botox® in the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO). METHODS: The charts of all patients who underwent a switch to IDI of Dysport® after failure of an IDI of Botox® at six departments of neurourology were retrospectively reviewed. The main outcomes of interest were the bladder diary data and four urodynamic parameters: maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), maximum detrusor pressure (PDET max), and volume at first uninhibited detrusor contraction (UDC). RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included. After the first injection of Dysport®, no adverse events were reported. A significant decrease in number of urinary incontinence episodes per day was observed in 52.63% of patients (P < 0.001) and all patients experienced a reduction in PDET Max (-8.1 cmH20 on average; P = 0.003). MCC significantly increased by a mean of 41.2 (P = 0.02). The proportion of patients with no UDC increased significantly at week 6 after ATA injections (from 15.79% to 43.9%; P = 0.0002). Hence, 32 patients draw clinical and/or urodynamic benefits from the botulinum toxin switch from (56.14%). After a median follow up of 21 months, 87% of responders to BTA switch were still treated successfully with BTA. CONCLUSION: Most patients refractory to Botox® (56.14%) draw benefits from the switch to Dysport®.

Artificial Urinary Sphincter in Male Patients with Spina Bifida: Comparison of Perioperative and Functional Outcomes between Bulbar Urethra and Bladder Neck Cuff Placement.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the perioperative and long-term functional outcomes of bladder neck and peribulbar cuff placement of an artificial urinary sphincter in a population of adult male patients with spinal dysraphism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the French spina bifida network database. Patients who underwent implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter from January 1985 to November 2015 were selected and stratified into 2 groups according to cuff location, that is bladder neck vs bulbar urethra. Explantation-free and revision-free device survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log rank test. Cox regression models were created to assess prognostic factors of artificial urinary sphincter device failure. RESULTS: A total of 65 patients were included in study. Most patients were not wheelchair bound. The cuff was implanted around the bulbar urethra at 46 procedures (59%) and around the bladder neck in 32 (41%). In the peribulbar and bladder neck groups median revision-free device survival was 11.7 and 14.3 years, respectively (p = 0.73). Median explantation-free device survival was 18.5 and 24.5 years, respectively (p = 0.08). On multivariate analysis clean intermittent catheterization was the only predictor of artificial urinary sphincter device failure. Cuff location had no influence. At the last followup satisfactory continence was similar in the 2 groups (83% vs 75%, p = 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: In male patients with spinal dysraphism morbidity and functional outcomes were similar for bladder neck and bulbar urethra cuff placement but with a trend toward longer survival without explantation in the bladder neck group. Clean intermittent catheterization was the only predictor of shorter device survival on multivariate analysis.

Reliability of urinary cytology and cystoscopy for the screening and diagnosis of bladder cancer in patients with neurogenic bladder: A systematic review.

AIMS: To assess the reliability of urinary cytology and cystoscopy to screen and diagnose bladder cancer in patients with NB. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search of the Medline and Embase databases was performed in April 2017. Data extraction was performed by two independent reviewers. A narrative synthesis was made. RESULTS: Out of 220 records assessed, 15 were included in this systematic review. All studies were prospective or retrospective series with no control group. Cystoscopy allowed the detection of asymptomatic bladder cancer in 0-10 patients, with a screening sensitivity (available in only one study) of 0%, a screening specificity ranging from 65% to 90%, and a yield in detecting asymptomatic bladder cancer of 0% in all series where it could be calculated. Urinary cytology allowed the detection of bladder cancer in asymptomatic patients in 0-12 patients, with a screening sensitivity of 71%, a screening specificity ranging from 92% to 97% and a yield ranging from 0% to 1.25%. Sensitivity of cystoscopy for diagnosis of bladder cancer ranged from 27% to 81% and specificity was 54% in the only study where it could be calculated. Sensitivity of urinary cytology for diagnosis of bladder cancer was 0-72% and specificity was 100%. CONCLUSION: There is currently insufficient data to support formal recommendations of using both tools in the screening of bladder cancer in patients with neurogenic bladder. Urinary cytology outperformed cystoscopy for screening and might be the best tool currently available.