Dynamic and static ultrasound features predictive of vesicoureteral reflux and renal damage in children and adolescents with neurogenic bladder.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic and static ultrasound (DSUS) in detecting vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and renal scarring in a cohort of children with neurogenic bladder (NB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, longitudinal, observational study was conducted using the Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies guideline. The DSUS (index test) data were compared with voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) and renal scintigraphy 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic (reference tests). Overall performance for predicting VUR and renal scarring was assessed using renal pelvic diameter (RPD)/distal ureteral diameter and renal parenchymal thinning on DSUS, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients (66 girls, median age 9.6 years) participated. Seventeen patients (15.9%) presented VUR, eight bilateral. For overall reflux grade, the AUC was 0.624 for RPD and 0.630 for distal ureteral diameter. The diagnostic performance for detecting high-grade VUR was slightly better for DSUS parameters. The AUC was 0.666 for RPD and 0.691 for distal ureteral diameter. The cut-offs of 5 mm for RPD and 6.5 mm for distal ureteral diameter presented the best diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) to identify high-grade VUR. The increase of RPD during detrusor contractions showed an accuracy of 89.2%. The thinness of renal parenchyma presented an accuracy of 88% for renal scarring. CONCLUSION: DSUS predicts VUR and renal scarring in children with NB with fair to good accuracy, and all measurements exhibited a high negative predictive value (NPV). The increase in RPD during voiding or detrusor contractions proved to be the most accurate parameter for indicating the presence of VUR in this study.

Imaging characteristics predicting elevated detrusor pressures in patients with spina bifida.

PURPOSE: Patients with spina bifida require urologic follow up with assessments of bladder and renal function. The ideal screening protocol for bladder compliance remains controversial. This study assessed associations between bladder end filling pressure (EFP) and detrusor leak point pressure (DLPP) on urodynamic studies (UDS) and findings from renal bladder ultrasounds (RBUS) and voiding cystourethrograms (VCUG). METHODS: Pediatric spina bifida patients who underwent RBUS and/or VCUG within six months of UDS at a single institution from 2015 to 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, VCUG and RBUS results, and UDS EFP and DLPP were recorded. Multiple linear regression analyses and Pearson chi-square tests were conducted to correlate RBUS and VCUG findings with DLPP/EFP. RESULTS: 129 patients were included. In adjusted analyses, moderate to severe hydronephrosis on RBUS was significantly associated with elevations in mean DLPP/EFP (p = 0.006). Patients with round bladders had significantly lower mean DLPP/EFP than patients with elongated or conical bladders (p < 0.0001). The presence of trabeculations was associated with increased mean DLPP/EFP (p < 0.0001) and increases in severity of trabeculations were associated with higher DLPP/EFP (p < 0.0001). The presence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) on VCUG was not associated with significant differences in mean DLPP/EFP (p = 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal bladder shape and trabeculations on VCUGs in spina bifida patients had significant associations with increased mean bladder pressures on UDS. Assessment of bladder shape and contour by VCUG may be a valuable screening tool in conjunction with routine RBUS in determining the need for further assessment of bladder pressures in patients with spina bifida.

Video-urodynamics efficacy of sacral neuromodulation for neurogenic bladder guided by three-dimensional imaging CT and C-arm fluoroscopy: a single-center prospective study.

To assess the efficacy of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) for neurogenic bladder (NB), guided by intraoperative three-dimensional imaging of sacral computed tomography (CT) and mobile C-arm fluoroscopy through video-urodynamics examination. We enrolled 52 patients with NB who underwent conservative treatment with poor results between September 2019 and June 2021 and prospectively underwent SNM guided by intraoperative three-dimensional imaging of sacral CT and mobile C-arm fluoroscopy. Video-urodynamics examination, voiding diary, quality of life questionnaire, overactive bladder symptom scale (OABSS) scoring, and bowel dysfunction exam were completed and recorded at baseline, at SNM testing, and at 6-month follow-up phases. Finally, we calculated the conversion rate from period I to period II, as well as the treatment efficiency and the occurrence of adverse events during the testing and follow-up phases. The testing phase of 52 NB patients was 18-60 days, with an average of (29.3 ± 8.0) days. Overall, 38 patients underwent SNM permanent electrode implantation, whose follow-up phase was 3-25 months, with an average of (11.9 ± 6.1) months. Compared with baseline, the voiding times, daily catheterization volume, quality of life score, OABSS score, bowel dysfunction score, maximum detrusor pressure before voiding, and residual urine volume decreased significantly in the testing phase. The daily voiding volume, functional bladder capacity, maximum urine flow rate, bladder compliance, and maximum cystometric capacity increased significantly in the testing phase. Besides, the voiding times, daily catheterization volume, quality of life score, OABSS score, bowel dysfunction score, maximum detrusor pressure before voiding, and residual urine volume decreased further from the testing to follow-up phase. Daily voiding volume, functional bladder capacity, maximum urine flow rate, bladder compliance, and maximum cystometric capacity increased further from testing to follow-up. At baseline, 10 ureteral units had vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and 9 of them improved in the testing phase. Besides, there was 1 unit that further improved to no reflux during the follow-up phase. At baseline, 10 patients had detrusor overactivity (DO), and 8 of them improved in the testing phase. Besides, 1 patient's symptoms further improved during the follow-up phase. At baseline, there were 35 patients with detrusor-bladder neck dyssynergia (DBND); 14 (40.0%) of them disappeared during the testing phase. Among 13 cases who had DBND in the testing phase, 6 (46.2%) disappeared during the follow-up phase. Of the 47 patients with detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia (DESD) at baseline, 8 (17.0%) disappeared during the testing phase. Among 26 cases who had DESD in the testing phase, 6 (23.1%) disappeared during the follow-up phase. The effective rate of this study was 88.5% (46/52), and the conversion rate from phase I to phase II was 73.1% (38/52). Additionally, the efficacy in a short-term follow-up was stable. SNM guided by intraoperative three-dimensional imaging of sacral CT and mobile C-arm fluoroscopy is an effective and safe treatment option for NB in short time follow-up. It would be well improved in the bladder storage function, sphincter synergetic function and emptying efficiency by video-urodynamics examination in this study.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. ChiCTR2100050290. Registered August 25 2021. http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx .

What do X-ray images of the bladder during video urodynamics show us in patients with spinal cord injury?

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective anonymized cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To study X-ray images of video urodynamics (VUD) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Single-center study. METHODS: X-ray images during VUD were categorized. Relation with the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS), time since and level of SCI, cystometric data, method of bladder management, findings of flexible cystoscopy, and renal ultrasound were evaluated. Changes over time were studied. RESULTS: In 231 consecutive patients, VUD was done at a mean of 8.5 years after SCI. X3-ray bladder appearance was categorized as normal/standard, tonic, or flaccid. In 19 patients, specific findings were seen: diverticula, cystocele, vesicoureteral reflux. X-ray images differed by maximum cystometric capacity, presence of neurogenic detrusor overactivity, and maximum detrusor pressure during detrusor overactivity, but not by bladder compliance. There was no difference in the categories found in different levels and completeness of SCI. In the 23 patients able to void no pathology was seen on urethral images. Renal ultrasound was normal in >99%. In 86 patients, repeated testing after 72 ± 143 weeks showed changed findings in 30%. Cystoscopy showed significantly more local pathologies. CONCLUSION: Complications in the lower urinary tract were seen on imaging only in a limited number of our cohort. As our findings represent a real-life example of the actual yield of VUD in patients with neurogenic bladder due to SCI treated following the international guidelines, further multicentre evaluation is needed to determine when imaging should be used or not.

Can ultrasound measurement of bladder wall thickness be a useful adjunct for regular urodynamics in children with spina bifida?

INTRODUCTION: Spina bifida is a major cause of neurologic bladder dysfunction among children. The goal of neurogenic bladder treatment is to preserve renal function. Close follow-up is essential, as lower urinary tract functions can change with patient growth. Presently, invasive urodynamics is the gold standard for precisely assessing lower urinary tract function. Ultrasound is a low-cost, non-invasive, uncomplicated examination that can be easily repeated. Bladder wall thickness (BWT) measurement by ultrasound has been proposed as a non-invasive alternative for identifying lower urinary tract dysfunctions. OBJECTIVE: Currently there are few reports on BWT in children with spina bifida, and BWT assessment methodology has yet to be defined. The present study aim was to investigate whether BWT could be a useful adjunct for regular urodynamics in children with spina bifida. We especially focused on the precise bladder volume during BWT measurements that were simultaneously performed with urodynamics. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective observational study investigated 33 patients with spina bifida who underwent video urodynamics. We assessed BWT measurements using ultrasound simultaneously performed with video urodynamics. BWT was calculated for the ventral and dorsal walls at 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of the expected bladder capacity. RESULTS: Median of bladder capacity was 240 mL, and bladder compliance was 19.2 mL/cmH2O. Detrusor overactivity was present in 66.7% and vesicoureteral reflux was present in 27.3% of the patients. BWT of the ventral wall was significantly lower than the dorsal wall. During increases in the bladder volume, both the ventral and dorsal walls exhibited proportional thinning (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences for BWT between males and females. Although there was a higher statistical tendency for detrusor overactivity versus without detrusor overactivity (p = 0.085), there were no significant differences found between patients with and without detrusor overactivity. DISCUSSION: This is the first report where multiple BWT measurements points with video urodynamics were simultaneously performed. Selection of bladder volumes for BWT measurements is critical. Our current study measured six points for each patient during urodynamics. However, available data was not sufficient for detecting bladder function. Until now, there has been no valid standard condition defined for measuring BWT and thus, lack of a standardized method has resulted in discrepancies among studies. CONCLUSION: Our measurement conditions showed BWT may not correlate with the degree of bladder detrusor dysfunction. As BWT ultrasound cannot identify bladder dysfunction of children with spina bifida, this cannot be used as a substitute for invasive urodynamics.

Ultrasonographic cystometry for neurogenic bladder using elastography.

AIM: Ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) has been used to measure elasticity (Young's modulus: YM) in solid organs. It was reported to show a better correlation with intravesical pressure (Pves) than with compliance, supporting its potential use in noninvasive cystometry. Contrariwise, conceptually, YM should be more correlated with compliance than with Pves. To optimize the potential use of YM as a noninvasive urodynamic study, the relationship between YM, Pves, and compliance was reassessed in this study. METHOD: YM was serially measured using SWE along with bladder filling. To overcome problems inherent to current compliance measurements, modified dynamic compliance was developed from cystometry by a locally weighted scatter plot smoothing algorithm. Then it was matched with YM from SWE. YM was also correlated with Pves. Furthermore, to understand the nature of YM, which was measured by ultrasound, the bladder wall's modulus, which was the mathematical assessment of YM derived from cystometric data, was also calculated and compared. RESULTS: Thirty-two neurogenic bladder patients were included in this study. YM correlated with Pves (r = .72, p < .0001) better than with modified dynamic compliance (r = -0.43, p < .0001). The correlation of YM with Pves was even higher than that with the calculated bladder wall's modulus (r = .52, p < .0001). CONCLUSION: YM measured by SWE associates with Pves better than with compliance, confirming the results of previous studies. SWE reflects the integration of both the holding capability of the bladder wall and urine rather than either of one, implying its potential utilization in noninvasive cystometry.

A simple screening tool for an unfavorable bladder in children with myelomeningocele: Is the height to width ratio of the cystogram useful to predict high-pressure bladder?

INTRODUCTION: Videourodynamics is the key follow-up examination of children with myelomeningocele. However, it has been performed in specific institutions focused on the urological management of children due to the difficulty in its interpretation. Although a neurogenic bladder frequently appears elongated vertically and trabeculated, no objective study has clearly shown the relationship between bladder shape on the cystogram and urodynamic parameters in children with myelomeningocele. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of the height to width ratio of cystogram (HWR) as a screening tool for finding high-pressure bladder in children with myelomeningocele.Study design the medical records of children with myelomeningocele aged less than 13 years who underwent videourodynamics were reviewed. Maximum detrusor pressure (MDP) was defined as the maximum detrusor pressure at end-filling or at leak. HWR was calculated by the maximum height/maximum width of the cystogram appearance at maximum cystometric capacity (Figure) The children were categorized into two groups: children with high-pressure bladder (MDP≥40 cmH2O) and low-pressure bladder (MDP<40 cm H2O). Age, sex, videourodynamics variables, and HWR were compared between the 2 groups. Using the results of the above, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed. RESULTS: A total of 81 children who were on clean intermittent catheterization met the study criteria. All children were on CIC, and their median age was 81 months (IQR 54-128 months). The HWR was significantly higher for high-pressure bladders than for low-pressure bladders (median 1.50 vs 1.37, p = 0.004). The sensitivity and specificity of the HWR for discriminating children with high-pressure bladder from all children were 87% and 56.9%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.71 with a cutoff score of 1.40. DISCUSSION: Bladder deformity was objectively evaluated by the HWR, and measurement of the HWR was straightforward. The main drawback of this evaluation method for bladder shape is to disregard the presence or absence of bladder trabeculation, which has been considered a key finding of an unfavorable bladder in this population. Based on the HWR ROC curves, the AUC was 0.71, which meant that the HWR would be considered to be fair at screening for high-pressure bladder. CONCLUSION: The height to width ratio of the cystogram was a useful tool for objectively evaluating bladder shape in children with myelomeningocele, and a cut-off point of 1.40 could be used as a simple screening tool for high-pressure bladder in this population.

Development and validation of a bladder trabeculation grading system in pediatric neurogenic bladder.

Bladder trabeculation (BT) is commonly noted on cystogram images of patients with neurogenic bladder (NB). BT is associated with a hostile bladder often requiring prompt, more aggressive management. We aimed to define and validate a reliable grading system for BT severity. The proposed grading system will improve clinicians and radiologist's communication and serve as a foundation for future studies in the field of NB. The study was conducted in two phases: 1) Development of a grading system for BT and 2) testing of the proposed grading system for reliability and validity. Agreement between raters was assessed using Cohen's Kappa. Inter-rater reliability and intra-rater reliability was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and Spearman's p (rho) correlation coefficient. The content of the grading system was assessed for face validity by senior pediatric urology and radiology experts. We observed inter-rater reliability with ICC of 0.998 (95%CI 0.996-0.999, p < 0.001), and a Cohen's Kappa ranging from 0.795 to 1.0, p < 0.001 and Spearman's p (rho) correlation coefficient ranging from 0.910 to 1.0, p < 0.001 between raters on the decided grades of BT. In conclusion, we established a defined grading system for BT severity that has substantial inter/intra-rater reliability and validity. This grading system could be useful for improving clinician and radiologist's communication about the status of a child's bladder wall and serve as a foundation for future studies assessing severity of NB.

Risk factors for febrile genito-urinary infection in the catheterized patients by with spinal cord injury-associated chronic neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction evaluated by urodynamic study and cystography: a retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the risk factors for febrile genito-urinary tract infection (GUTI) in spinal cord injury-associated neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) patients who perform routine clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) evaluated by urodynamic study (UDS) and cystography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a 3-year period, we retrospectively assessed risk factors for febrile UTI in 141 spinal cord injury patients diagnosed as NLUTD and performing routine CIC, regarding gender, UDS findings such as bladder compliance, maximum cystometric capacity, and cystography. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients had febrile GUTI in the follow-up period as along with 32 cases of pyelonephritis, 10 cases of epididymitis, and 1 case of prostatitis, including patients with multiple infectious diseases. The causative bacteria were Escherichia coli (14 cases) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 5), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 4), and Klebsiella oxytoca (n = 4). Antibiotic-resistant E. coli were seen, with 36.4% instances of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production in whole of E. coli. Male gender (p = 0.018), ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) C or more severe (p = 0.031), the number of CIC (p = 0.034), use of quinolones (p < 0.001) and severe bladder deformity (DG 2 or more, p = 0.004) were significantly associated with febrile GUTI occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated that male gender, severe bladder deformity (DG 2 or more), AIS C or more, the number of CIC, and use of quinolones were significantly associated with febrile GUTI occurrence in NLUTD patients employing routine CIC. Further prospective studies are necessary to define the full spectrum of possible risk factors for febrile GUTI in these patients.

Renal features of Bardet Biedl syndrome: A single center experience.

Atmis B, Karabay-Bayazit A, Melek E, Bisgin A, Anarat A. Renal features of Bardet Biedl syndrome: A single center experience. Turk J Pediatr 2019; 61: 186-192. Bardet Biedl syndrome (BBS), is a multisystemic disorder which is described as a ciliopathy. BBS is a rare autosomal recessive disorder and 21 different BBS genes have been defined to date. BBS is characterized with dysmorphic extremities, retinitis pigmentosa, obesity, hypogenitalism, intellectual disabilility and renal structural abnormalities. Renal symptoms in patients with BBS, are nonspecific and often undetected until end-stage renal disease. Here, we were reported 23 children with BBS (12 females, 11 males) with renal abnormalities from a single center and defined their features. Age at diagnosis were very variable (2 days-16 years). Median age at diagnosis was 84 months. Mean follow-up period was 42 months. All 23 children had urinary tract abnormalities on renal ultrasonography. These abnormalities were polycysts (34.8%), hyperechogenic kidneys (34.8%), fetal lobulation (21.7%), hypoplasia on at least one kidney (21.7%) and hydronephrosis in at least one kidney (17.4%). Vesicoureteral reflux and neurogenic bladder detected 11.1% and 22.2% of patients who recieved a voiding cystourethrogram, respectively. Proteinuria was found in 39 % of patients. Hypertension was defined in 21.7% of patients. Six of 23 children (26%) in our cohort had proven mutations in BBS genes. Five of them (83.3%) had homozygous mutations in BBS10 gene and one of them had homozygous mutation in BBS2 gene. All of 23 children had retinitis pigmentosa, twenty two of them (95.6%) had learning disabilities/cognitive impairment and seventeen of them (82.6%) had obesity. Renal involvement is now accepted as a cardinal feature and the most important factor causing mortality in BBS.

Can dynamic ultrasonography replace urodynamics in the follow-up of patients with myelomeningocele? A prospective concurrent study.

AIMS: To evaluate the accuracy of dynamic ultrasonography (DUS), as a feasible alternative diagnostic method to identify detrusor overactivity (DO) in patients with neurogenic bladder. METHODS: We performed concurrent analysis of 81 pairs of urodynamic study (UDS) and DUS, in 63 patients with myelomeningocele (MMC), from June 2014 to February 2017. The assessment focused on bladder behavior during the filling phase, DO evaluation, DO with leakage, compliance, and maximum cystometric capacity (MCC). RESULTS: Patient age ranged from 3 months to 34 years (median, 84 months); 47.6% were male. Overall, 9.5% of patients had chronic kidney disease, 20.6% had recurrent urinary tract infection, 19.05% had vesicoureteral reflux, and 69.8% had constipation. Anticholinergic therapy was used by 41.3% of patients. DO was observed in 45.67% of patients and DO with leakage in 42.6%. Mean bladder compliance was 10.39 mL/cmH2 O and normal MCC was 56.79%. DUS had 91.89% sensitivity in identifying DO, 88.64% specificity, 87.18% positive predictive value, 92.86% negative predictive value, and 90.12% accuracy, with a kappa coefficient of 0.8 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: MMC follow-up is essential because urinary parameters can change during patient growth. The standard examination is invasive and has related complications, making noninvasive evaluation a desirable alternative, like DUS. Our data suggest that DO and MCC can be evaluated using DUS in patients with MMC. UDS should be performed in patients with abnormal findings on ultrasound evaluation or those with worsening of urinary tract function.

Intraspinal schwannoma and neurogenic bladder.

Most lumbar intradural schwannomas present initially as radiculopathies with sensory disturbances. However, neurogenic bladder dysfunction may be one of the earliest manifestations and can cause long-term disability. We present the case of a patient with a L3-4 schwannoma (newly diagnosed owing to recurrent urinary retention and urinary tract infection) who finally underwent surgical resection. Improvement of bladder sensation was documented by urodynamic study and the patient was subsequently weaned off her Foley catheter with satisfactory outcome.

The management of paediatric neurogenic bladder: an approach in a resource-poor setting.

BACKGROUND: If untreated, paediatric neurogenic bladder can cause renal failure and urinary incontinence. It is usually caused by neural tube defects such as myelomeningocele. Children with a neurogenic bladder should be monitored from birth and management should aim to preserve renal function and achieve social continence. This article outlines the management options appropriate for these children in resource-poor settings. ASSESSMENT: In most low- and middle-income countries, a general lack of awareness of the neurological effects on the urinary tract results in late presentation, usually with urological complications even when spina bifida is diagnosed early. Physical examination must include neurological examination for spinal deformities and intact sacral reflexes. About 90% of children with occult spinal dysraphisms will have cutaneous sacral lesions. The work-up includes urinalysis, serial ultrasound of the urinary tracts and urodynamics. Urodynamic assessment is essential for the diagnosis and prognosis of the paediatric neurogenic bladder. In poorly resourced settings, simple eyeball urodynamics can be performed in the absence of a conventional urodynamic set-up. TREATMENT: Clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC), the mainstay of treatment, is most suitable for resource-poor settings because it is effective and inexpensive. Antimuscarinic drugs such as oxybutynin complement CIC by reducing detrusor overactivity. Intravesical injection of Botox and bladder augmentation surgery is required by a small subset of patients who fail to respond to combined CIC and oxybutynin therapy. CONCLUSION: Children with neurogenic bladder in resource-poor settings should have early bladder management to preserve renal function and provide social continence.

Management of Neurogenic Bladder.

This article provides a comprehensive summary of the clinical approach, investigative modalities and management of a child with neurogenic bladder disease due to myelodysplasia. It is aimed at pediatric physicians and surgeons working in developing nations. The methodologies suggested are simple and can be practised even in resource poor regions. The goal of management is avoidance of Chronic kidney disease and for this, meticulous bladder management is the key.

Predictors of upper tract damage in pediatric neurogenic bladder.

INTRODUCTION: Upper tract damage (UTD) is a life-threatening complication of neurogenic bladder (NB). Early identification of risk factors for UTD and institution of remedial measures may probably prevent UTD. The aim was to study the predictors of UTD in children 2 years or older with NB. METHOD: This cross-sectional, observational study over 2 years included 30 children. UTD was defined as serum creatinine of >1 mg/dL or society of fetal urology grade III-IV hydronephrosis or hydroureteronephrosis on ultrasonography or renal scars on 99mtechnetium dimercaptosuccinic scan or subnormal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) for age. The evaluated clinical variables were age at presentation, gender, palpable bladder lump, and recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI). Bladder wall thickness (BWT), grade and laterality of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR), status of the bladder neck, post-void residue (PVR), and level and type of intraspinal lesions were also noted. Urodynamic studies were performed for functional bladder assessment. A p-value <0.05 identified the risk factors. RESULTS: UTD was detected in 15 (50%) with serum creatinine >1 mg% (2, 6%), SFU III-IV (11, 36%), renal scars (12, 40%), and subnormal GFR in (2, 6%) patients. Clinical risk factors for UTD were delayed presentation (p = 0.034), palpable bladder lump (p ≤ 0.001; OR 38.5; CI 5.6-262.5), and recurrent UTI (p = 0.033, OR 4.125, CI 0.913-18.630). The presence of significant PVR, trabeculated bladder, spin-top urethra, and bilateral VUR were identified as radiological risk factors for UTD. Mean BWT in patients with and without UTD was 4.69 ± 1.78 mm and 2.91 ± 1.08 mm respectively. BWT predictive of UTD was 3.05 mm (Figure). The mean detrusor leak point pressure (DLPP) did not vary significantly in those with and without UTD (36.82 ± 14.74 and 29.09 ± 10.44 cmH2O, respectively), yet 75% patients with DLPP > 40 cmH2O had UTD (p = 0.038, OR 5.4, CI 0.84-34.84). DLPP <40 cmH2O was associated with UTD in 35% patients. DISCUSSION: The incidence of UTD in this series is in accordance with that reported with expectant management (40%) and is much higher than the 17% stated with proactive management. A limitation of this study is the small number of patients and heterogeneous clinical diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Delayed presentation with palpable bladder lump, recurrent UTI, increased BWT, bilateral VUR, increased PVR, and DLPP > 40 cm H2O were identified as potential risk factors for UTD. This study highlights the significance of BWT as a predictor of UTD in NB.

Augmentation enterocystoplasty without reimplantation for patients with neurogenic bladder and vesicoureteral reflux.

The objective of this study was to assess the clinical outcome of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) after augmentation cystoplasty alone in patients with a hypocompliant neurogenic bladder. Between January 2009 and December 2014, 29 patients with a hypocompliant bladder associated with VUR confirmed by videourodynamics (VUD) preoperatively were recruited in this study. All patients had undergone bladder augmentation with a generous detubularized segment of bowel at our institution. No effort had been made to correct the existing reflux. Preoperative assessment included urinalysis, kidney function tests, ultrasonography, and videourodynamic evaluation. All patients had various degrees of VUR. The status of VUR and bladder function were studied by VUD. The mean follow-up period was 2.2 years (range 0.5-5.5 years). The VUD manifested a significant improvement of bladder capacity, diminution of intravesical pressure, and resolution of reflux after bladder augmentation. After the surgery, 24/29 (83%) no longer had reflux, 3/29 (10%) showed improvement in reflux, and 2/29 (7%) demonstrated no change in reflux. In addition, 16/21 (76%) patients had reflux Grades I-III; 100% patients with reflux Grades IV and V had complete cessation of reflux. Only one patient had symptomatic urinary infection after the surgery. Augmentation enterocystoplasty without ureteral reimplantation is thus effective and adequate for patients with high-pressure and hypocompliant neurogenic bladder. Therefore, ureteral reimplantation is not necessary when augmentation enterocystoplasty is recommended for patients with high-pressure, low-compliant bladder and VUR.

A pilot prospective study to evaluate whether the bladder morphology in cystography and/or urodynamic may help predict the response to botulinum toxin a injection in neurogenic bladder refractory to anticholinergics.

BACKGROUND: We have observed different clinical responses to botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) in patients who had similar urodynamic parameters before the procedure. Furthermore, some bladders evaluated by cystography and cystoscopy during the procedure had different characteristics that could influence the outcome of the treatment. The aim of this study was to assess whether cystography and urodynamic parameters could help predict which patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) refractory to anticholinergics respond better to treatment with injection of BTX-A. METHODS: In total, 34 patients with spinal cord injury were prospectively evaluated. All patients emptied their bladder by clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) and had incontinence and NDO, despite using 40 mg or more of intravesical oxybutynin and undergoing detrusor injection of BTX-A (300 IU). Pretreatment evaluation included urodynamic, and cystography. Follow-up consisted of urodynamic and ambulatory visits four months after treatment. The cystography parameters used were bladder shape, capacity and presence of diverticula. Urodynamic parameters used for assessment were maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), maximum detrusor pressure (MDP), compliance and reflex volume (RV). RESULTS: After injection of BTX-A, 70% of the patients had success, with 4 months or more of continence. Before the treatment, there were significant differences in most urodynamic parameters between those who responded successfully compared to those who did not. Patients who responded successfully had greater MCC (p = 0.019), higher RV (p = 0.041), and greater compliance (p = 0.043). There was no significant difference in the MDP (0.691). The cystography parameters were not significantly different between these groups bladder shape (p = 0.271), capacity (p > 0.720) and presence of diverticula (p > 0.999). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (version 20.0) and included Student's t-test for two paired samples and Fisher's exact test, with a significance threshold of 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the cystography parameters evaluated cannot be used to help predict the response to injection of BTX-A in the treatment of refractory NDO. However, the urodynamic parameters were significantly different in patients who responded to the treatment, with the exception of the MDP.

Urinary NGF, TGF-ß1, TIMP-2 and bladder wall thickness predict neurourological findings in children with myelodysplasia.

PURPOSE: Dimercapto-succinic acid scintigraphy and urodynamic studies are gold standards to evaluate renal scarring and neurogenic bladder dysfunction, respectively. We sought to establish the value of bladder wall thickness together with urine NGF, TGF-ß1 and TIMP-2 to predict the urodynamic profile and upper urinary tract damage in children with myelodysplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 children with myelodysplasia underwent urodynamic investigation, bladder wall thickness measurement and dimercapto-succinic acid scintigraphy with basic neurourological evaluation. Two study and 2 control groups were created according to presence or absence of renal scarring on dimercapto-succinic acid scan (study and control groups 1) and according to detrusor leak point pressure greater or less than 40 cm H2O (study and control groups 2). Urine samples were analyzed with ELISA. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 44 girls and 36 boys with a median ± SD age of 7.2 ± 3.6 years (range 2 to 17). Study and control groups 1 consisted of 35 and 45 children with abnormal and normal dimercapto-succinic acid scan findings, respectively. Study and control groups 2 included 30 and 50 children with detrusor leak point pressure greater and less than 40 cm H2O, respectively. Bladder wall thickness and urinary levels of TGF-ß1, NGF and TIMP-2 were significantly increased in both study groups compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Urine markers and bladder wall thickness measurement may predict urinary tract impairment in children with myelodysplasia. Such markers may differentiate at risk patients with either renal scarring or high detrusor leak point pressure, and decrease the need for urodynamics and renal scintigraphy.