Pupillometric assessment of dysautonomia in pediatric bowel and bladder dysfunction: a pilot study.

Bowel and bladder dysfunction (BBD) refers to a heterogeneous group of voiding disorders, accounting for an estimated 40% of pediatric urology visits. Symptoms of BBD include enuresis, urgency, and urinary retention, often accompanied by constipation. The aim of this pilot study was to explore whether a pupillary response can be characterized for BBD, by examining the pupillary light reflex (PLR) before and after voiding among patients with BBD. A total of 28 patients aged from 7 to 21 years were recruited from the Wetting, Infections, and Stooling Help clinic at Children's National Medical Center. An infrared pupilometer was used to assess the PLR. Both baseline static and dynamic pupillometry assessments were obtained before and after voiding. Measurements were also taken after 5 min in the supine position, followed by 5 min standing to induce an orthostatic stressor. Visual inspection of the graphed data revealed a characteristic shape in 11 of 28 patients with voiding symptoms. In these 11 patients, the redilation arm of the PLR shows a 'notch,' or a brief reconstriction of the pupil before resting pupil size is reestablished (figure). This feature of the PLR has not been seen in previous and parallel studies using pupillometry to evaluate other populations. The results of this study suggest that a subset of patients with BBD may have a significant perturbation of autonomic regulation, identifiable through analysis of the PLR. To our knowledge, this 'notch' during redilation has not been previously described or seen in other patient populations and may represent a distinctive and readily identifiable physiologic marker of disease. These results are broadly aligned with results of other studies that have examined ANS activity in patients with BBD, although further study is needed to confirm the results of this pilot study and to assess relative contributions of sympathetic and parasympathetic function in producing pupillary abnormalities. This study has several limitations, including the small sample size, the absence of data on severity and duration of symptoms, and the absence of a control group of patients without any voiding symptoms. A simple tool for diagnosing BBD and for monitoring response to treatment could significantly improve the quality of treatment for one of the most common pediatric urologic complaints. Given the heterogeneity of symptoms under the BBD umbrella, pupillometric data could guide selection of treatment options, as well as assess adequacy of response to pharmacologic therapy.

Need for urodynamic evaluation as a regular follow-up tool in assessment of long-term urological outcomes in patients with sacrococcygeal teratoma.

AIM: To assess the long-term urologic outcomes in follow-up of patients of sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) using urodynamic study (UDS) in addition to clinical and radiologic evaluation. METHODS: A prospective study of clinical, radiological and urodynamic evaluation in patients with SCT who underwent resection between January 2002-June 2015 and were followed up till January 2016 was conducted. RESULTS: Total 57 patients, 42 (73.7%) females and 15 (26.3%) males with 35 (62.4%) following treatment for benign and 22 (38.5%) for malignant disease were included. Twenty-eight of 57 (49.12%) had urological problems. Clinical complaints in 21 (36.8%) patients included stress urinary incontinence-14 (66.7%), enuresis-9 (42.9%), and poor stream or dribbling of urine-6 (28.6%). Eight of 51 patients (15.7%) had abnormal ultrasound findings, which included contracted, trabeculated thick walled bladder (3), bilateral hydronephrosis (3) and significant post void residue (PVR) (6). Seven of 57 underwent micturating cystourethrogram (MCU), 5 had an abnormal report[significant PVR (4), small trabeculated bladder (3), reflux (2) and large capacity bladder (1)]. Urodynamic study was done in 27 patients, 18/27 (66.7%) had abnormalities. Six patients without any clinical or ultrasonographic abnormalities had abnormal UDS. Total 28 (49.12%) had urological comorbidities. Three patients had overactive bladder, five dysfunctional voiding, one underactive bladder and one had giggle incontinence. Children were managed by behaviour therapy and pharmacotherapy. CONCLUSION: Urodynamic evaluation could detect abnormalities in patients who had no urinary complaints or abnormality on ultrasound. The abnormalities have a potential for progressive upper tract damage. Urodynamics should be an integral part of urological surveillance in patients operated for SCT. TYPE OF STUDY: Prognostic study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II (Prospective cohort study).

Qualitative Exploration of the Patient Experience of Underactive Bladder.

BACKGROUND: Underactive bladder (UAB) is considered the symptom complex associated with the urodynamic diagnosis of detrusor underactivity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to investigate the patient reported experience of the symptoms, signs, and impact of UAB. This research is also part of the initial qualitative phase for the development of a new patient reported outcome measure for the assessment of UAB. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Qualitative methods were used to understand the experience of UAB from a patient perspective, in a purposive sample of male (n=29) and female (n=15) patients aged 27-88 yr (mean: 64 yr), diagnosed with a primary diagnosis of detrusor underactivity, with or without coexisting urological conditions. Semistructured interviews were conducted in Bristol, UK. RESULTS: Male and female patients reported a variety of lower urinary tract symptoms and associated impact on quality of life. Storage symptoms of nocturia, increased daytime frequency, and urgency, and the voiding symptoms of slow stream, hesitancy, and straining were reported by over half of the patients. A sensation of incomplete emptying and postmicturition dribble were also frequently described. Most had a post void residual >30ml (n=34, 77%, median: 199ml) with many reporting urinary tract infections, a history of self-catheterisation, and some experiencing occasional acute retention episodes. These symptoms and signs can have a broad impact on quality of life including having to plan their daily activities around the location of toilets, disruption to sleep, social life, and associated effect on family and friends. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the lived experience of UAB obtained in the current study will be used for the development of a new patient reported outcome measure and help inform the current working definition of UAB. PATIENT SUMMARY: The symptoms, signs, and impact on quality of life of underactive bladder are described by patients with the condition.

A descriptive study of functions, symptoms, and perceived health state after radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To explore the impact of prostate cancer treatment on: (a) the experience of symptoms (i.e. sexual, urinary, and bowel), and (b) perceived health state of men with prostate cancer one month following their radiation treatment. METHODS: A prospective pre-test-post-test descriptive survey was conducted on a convenience sample of 73 men with prostate cancer who were recruited from a Regional Cancer Centre in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Participants receiving radiation treatment (brachy therapy, high dose radiation [HDR] and external beam radiation [EBR], or EBR alone) completed a questionnaire that elicited information pertaining to quality of life (QOL), symptom experiences, and perceived health state prior to, and one month after completion of their radiation treatment. RESULTS: Post-treatment scores showed increased problems with urinary bother (p<0.001) and function (p<0.001), bowel bother (p=0.002) and function (p=0.001), and sexual function (p<0.001). The results also suggested that urinary bother, sexual bother, and pain were independent predictors of the perceived health state of participants after radiation treatment. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that prostate cancer treatment presents a challenge with regard to symptom experiences and perceived health state in men with prostate cancer. Therefore, strategies for patient education to assist men to cope with their symptoms and to provide them with support in the initial weeks following treatment are discussed.

Continent catheterizable vesicostomy in an adult population: success at high costs.

AIMS: To evaluate the long term outcome, to review the complication ratio and to analyze predicting factors of catheterizable continent vesicostomy in an adult population. To deduct a proper patient counseling policy. METHODS: We identified all patients that underwent a continent vesicostomy between 1998 and 2008. We did not consider patients that underwent orthotopic bladder reconstruction. Patient satisfaction, urinary leakage, catheterization problems were assessed by chart review or interview. Type of primary surgery, revisions (number and type), renal function and complications were assessed by chart review. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients underwent continent vesicostomy using an ileal segment (Monti or Spiral-Monti/Casale technique) or the appendix (Mitrofanoff). One patient underwent a detrusor wall flap. Twenty-one out of 35 patients underwent concomitant bladder augmentation and 2/35 patients bladder neck closure. Mean age at the time of the procedure was 44 years (range 21-80 years). Mean follow up is 60 months (range 6-117 months). Six out of 35 patients undergo surgical excision of the conduit because of untreatable problems. One patient has a permanent indwelling catheter. Two patients voided normal after sacral nerve stimulation. Ten out of 35 patients undergo stoma related revisions. Sixteen out of 35 patients undergo no stoma related revisions. Finally 26/35 patients were continent and had an easy catheterizable stoma. CONCLUSIONS: Continent urinary diversion in an adult population is associated with a high complication and revision rate. Although conversion rate to an ileal conduit is appreciable, the majority of patients (26/35) finally achieve full continence and unobstructed access to the bladder.

New method for minimally invasive urodynamic assessment in men with lower urinary tract symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: Urodynamic studies are considered the reference standard to diagnose bladder outlet obstruction. However, the procedure is invasive, expensive, and time-consuming. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new minimally invasive urodynamic assessment model and compare the results with those of conventional urodynamic evaluation. METHODS: The study included 50 male patients who presented with lower urinary tract symptoms. Their mean age was 62 years (range 34 to 82). After undergoing a conventional urodynamic study, they underwent the minimally invasive evaluation. The urethral device is a conical apparatus that adapts to the urethral meatus and fossa navicularis. The isometric bladder pressure and interrupted flow were recorded. The results of the conventional assessment were classified according to the Abrams-Griffiths number and a logistic regression fit was applied to the minimally invasive method. RESULTS: Only two variables demonstrated the predictive capacity: the isometric pressure and interrupted flow. In addition to selecting the relevant variables, logistic regression analysis is a more adequate model that provides a binary result of obstructed and unobstructed, used to predict the normal and equivocal categories of the Abrams-Griffiths classification, and taken as the reference standard. The sensitivity and specificity of the new method was 67% and 79%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The urethral device proved to be simple and easy to use. The minimally invasive method was able to detect most patients with bladder outlet obstruction; thus, the conventional urodynamic assessment could be avoided. We consider this method to have a place as a first-line noninvasive examination.

Overactive bladder: an update.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Overactive bladder is an important lower urinary tract syndrome that negatively affects the quality of life of millions of people worldwide. Both sexes and all age groups may be affected; therefore many specialists, including urologists, gynaecologists, geriatricians, paediatricians, physiotherapists and continence advisors, are involved in the management of patients with overactive bladder. RECENT FINDINGS: There is ongoing research, both basic science and clinical trials, to establish the cause of overactive bladder and to determine the best method of managing patients who suffer from this syndrome. New theories and modified definitions of overactive bladder have been proposed, structured evidence-based management guidelines have been established, more prevalence studies have been conducted and new treatment strategies have emerged. SUMMARY: Overactive bladder is now recognized as a chronic debilitating condition that costs millions of dollars. With an ageing population these costs will increase, and it is necessary that health systems around the world recognize this. Further research into the basic science of the condition is required to identify the true cause of overactive bladder, allowing new targeted treatments to be established.

Psychogenic urinary dysfunction: a uro-neurological assessment.

AIMS: The diagnosis of psychogenic urinary dysfunction (PUD) is one of exclusion, particularly from urologic and neurologic causes, and is usually accompanied by more obvious psychologic/ psychiatric features. We here describe patients with PUD who were diagnosed in our uro- neurological laboratory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the digitized records of 2,300 urodynamic cases treated in the past 6 years to identify patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of PUD. All 2,300 patients had completed a urinary questionnaire and undergone both electromyography (EMG)-cystometry and a detailed neurological examination. In addition, pressure-flow analysis, neurophysiology tests including sphincter EMG analysis, and MRI of the brain and spinal cord were performed as applicable. RESULTS: PUD was seen in 16 cases (0.7%): 6 men, 10 women, mean age 37 years. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) included overactive bladder (OAB) alone in 5, difficult urination alone in one, and both in 10. LUTS commonly occurred in particular situations, for example, OAB only while riding the train. Some patients showed extremely infrequent toileting. The urodynamic findings were normal except for increased bladder sensation (50%) for OAB and acontractile detrusor (31%) for difficulty. The final diagnosis was conversion reaction in six followed by anxiety in four. CONCLUSIONS: PUD patients experienced the situational occurrence of OAB and/or difficult urination and, in some patients, extremely infrequent toileting. The main urodynamic abnormalities were increased bladder sensation and acontractile detrusor. However, even in cases suggestive of PUD, a non-PUD pathology behind the symptoms should be explored.

Ureterocystoplasty: videourodynamic assessment.

PURPOSE: We evaluated bladder function outcome in children who underwent ureterocystoplasty based on preoperative and postoperative videourodynamic studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1977 and 2003, 8 patients with a median age of 6 years who had severe bladder dysfunction underwent ureterocystoplasty as a single surgical procedure. Augmentation was performed in 1 refluxing ureter in 7 patients and with a nonrefluxing megaureter in 1. All patients were evaluated urodynamically before and after augmentation using videourodynamic studies. Preoperative bladder capacity was estimated subtracting the volume trapped inside the refluxing ureter from the total amount of contrast fluid infused into the bladder. Controls included 8 patients matched in age (median 7.8 years) and diagnosis who had undergone ileocystoplasty and were studied with the same urodynamic methodology. Median age in patients with ureterocystoplasty and controls at postoperative urodynamic testing was 7.3 and 11.2 years, respectively. RESULTS: Median cystometric bladder capacity for age before and after ureterocystoplasty was 75% (range 10% to 92%) and 94% (range 49% to 100%), respectively. In the ileocystoplasty group cystometric bladder capacity increased significantly after augmentation (median 44% vs 118, p <0.0005). Comparison of postoperative cystometric bladder capacity between the 2 treatment groups showed significantly higher bladder volumes in the ileocystoplasty group (median 217 vs 290 ml, p <0.02). When we analyzed compliance before and after ureterocystoplasty, no statistically significant difference was found (4.09 vs 10.5 ml/cm water). The same parameter in the ileocystoplasty group was statistically significant (1.6 vs 22.5 ml/cm water, p <0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Our retrospective study suggests that, although ureterocystoplasty is a useful method for improving bladder storage abnormalities in properly selected patients, enterocystoplasty is associated with a better storage function outcome.

Bladder dysfunction in Parkinsonism: mechanisms, prevalence, symptoms, and management.

The advent of functional imaging methods has increased our understanding of the neural control of the bladder. This review examines current concepts of the role of brain function in urinary control with particular emphasis on the putative role of dopamine receptors. Dopaminergic mechanisms play a profound role in normal bladder control and the dysfunction of these may result in symptoms of overactive bladder in Parkinsonism. The importance of this nonmotor disorder has been overlooked. We address the problem of bladder dysfunction as it presents to patients and their neurologist. The prevalence of bladder symptoms in Parkinson's disease is high; the most common complaint is nocturia followed by frequency and urgency. In multiple-system atrophy, the combination of urge and urge incontinence and poor emptying may result in a complex combination of complaints. The management of bladder dysfunction in Parkinsonism addresses treatment of overactive detrusor as well as incontinence.

Drug treatment of overactive bladder: efficacy, cost and quality-of-life considerations.

Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome has been recognised by the International Continence Society as an important symptom syndrome that affects millions of people worldwide. Quality of life is affected in most people with OAB; however, the aetiology is unknown. Some researchers suggest that it is because of a damage to central inhibitory pathways or sensitisation of peripheral afferent terminals in the bladder, others suggest that it is a bladder muscle problem; the reality is probably a spectrum encompassing these two main explanations. Therefore, treatment is difficult and is aimed at alleviating symptoms (being those of urgency, with or without urge incontinence, usually with frequency and nocturia) rather than treating the cause. A thorough patient history and physical examination are required to establish a possible diagnosis. Frequency/volume charts form an important aid to the diagnosis. Once a presumptive diagnosis is made, conservative management forms the first line of treatment and includes lifestyle modifications, bladder training and pelvic floor exercises. If this fails, pharmacotherapy, in the form of anticholinergic drugs, is initiated. There are many antimuscarinic drugs, for example oxybutynin, tolterodine and trospium chloride. Each has a different specificity to bladder muscarinic receptors, thus producing different adverse effect profiles (e.g. dry mouth, blurred vision and constipation). Different individuals experience these adverse effects to different extents. New anticholinergic drugs, that have undergone phase III trials and are more specific to the muscarinic M3 human bladder receptor, are being introduced to the market in 2004 (e.g. solifenacin succinate and darifenacin). In addition to adverse effect profile, cost and improvement in quality of life are important factors in choosing treatment. Further research is being conducted on other types of drugs and different administration modalities, for example intravesical botulinum toxin A. Sacral nerve neuromodulation is emerging as a potential treatment, but if all treatments fail then surgery is the last resort.

A multicenter, prospective, open-label study of tolterodine extended-release 4 mg for overactive bladder: the speed of onset of therapeutic assessment trial (STAT).

BACKGROUND: Antimuscarinic agents are the primary treatment for overactive bladder (OAB), but there is a lack of information regarding when maximum symptom relief and maximum perceived patient benefit occur. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the speed of onset of therapeutic benefit with tolterodine extended-release (ER) 4 mg. METHODS: This 12-week, multicenter, prospective, open-label study enrolled patients with OAB who either had received no previous pharmacologic treatment for OAB (drug naive) or were receiving such treatment at enrollment (previously treated). Efficacy was assessed at 1, 4, and 12 weeks using a micturition diary and measures of patients' and physicians' perceptions of improvement. Safety was assessed in terms of adverse events and study withdrawals. RESULTS: The intent-to-treat population included 1138 patients (302 men, 836 women; 88.4% white; age range, 18-91 years), 735 drug naive and 403 receiving treatment for OAB at enrollment. After 1 week, tolterodine ER 4 mg had produced a significant improvement in all efficacy variables in both groups of patients (P < 0.01); 72% of the maximum effect on urge incontinence was observed in both groups; and 84.7% of drug-naive patients and 83.6% of previously treated patients perceived a benefit from treatment. After 4 weeks, drug-naive and previously treated patients reported a respective 93% and 100% of the maximum effect on episodes of urge incontinence. Tolterodine was well tolerated, with dry mouth (mostly mild) the most commonly reported adverse event (15.5% in each group). The 330 (81.9%) patients who had reported unacceptable efficacy and the 87 (21.6%) patients who had reported unacceptable tolerability of previous OAB treatment responded favorably to tolterodine ER 4 mg. CONCLUSIONS: Tolterodine ER 4 mg was effective and well tolerated in both drug-naive and previously treated patients with OAB. More than 80% of patients reported benefit from treatment after 1 week, but maximum symptom relief was achieved with longer treatment.

Urodynamic assessment during intravesical infusion of capsaicin for the treatment of refractory detrusor hyperreflexia.

PURPOSE: Parameters to predict outcome and the urodynamic effects during infusion of capsaicin, seem not to have been assessed in patients with chronic cord injury. We monitored bladder activity urodynamically during infusion of high dosage of capsaicin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients, 18 women and 12 men (average age 29 years, range 20-59 years), suffering from chronic spinal myelopathy, who presented a refractory detrusor hyperreflexia, were studied. They received saline solution containing 10(-3) M capsaicin at a flow rate of 2 ml min(-1) for 15 min (total volume 30 c.c.). The detrusor activity was monitored by a real-time cystometrogram during infusion and 15 min after the end of the infusion itself. New filling cystometrograms were recorded after 30 days and after 6 months. RESULTS: We obtained a clinical and significant urodynamic improvement in 15 of the 30 patients (50%), confirming that intravesical capsaicin may represent a therapeutic option for a selected group of patients suffering from refractory detrusor hyperreflexia due to chronic spinal upper motor neuron lesion. Best results were observed in patients who showed, during the infusion of capsaicin, early uninhibited bladder contractions which disappeared within 10-12 min from the beginning of the infusion (desensitisation). The patients of this group presented a significant increase of mean cystomanometric capacity after 6 months (from 190.7 to 396.7 ml). No significant clinical or urodynamic improvement was observed in the group of patients in whom uninhibited activity of detrusor was recorded for all the time of infusion. CONCLUSION: Our results support the idea of a major complexity of spinal reflex in paraplegic patients and may offer a clue to explain the failure of therapy with capsaicin. The present results support a new approach in the treatment of detrusor hyperreflexia. The ideal dosage and treatment interval are not at present established and further studies are needed to explain substantial differences in the outcome according to different urodynamic responses.

Assessment of lower urinary tract dysfunction in children with non-neuropathic bladder sphincter dysfunction.

Although nonneuropathic bladder sphincter dysfunction in children is frequently encountered, there is no consensus on the assessment of children presenting with this problem. An example is given of how these children can be assessed. After a noninvasive screening consisting of history, voiding diary, clinical examination, urinalysis, ultrasound and uroflowmetry, those children that will benefit from further videourodynamic studies are selected. Videourodynamics help to describe accurately the filling phase dysfunction and the voiding phase dysfunction, which helps to outline therapy. By using the described methods we are able to select those patients who will benefit from pharmacotherapy and those who will benefit from urotherapy.

Radiation-induced impairment of urinary bladder function. Assessment of micturition volumes.

PURPOSE: The present investigation was initiated in order to study the feasibility of repeat micturition volume measurements for the determination of acute variations in urinary bladder function in radiotherapy patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven consecutive patients with malignancies of the prostate (11), rectum (9), corpus uteri (11), or cervix uteri (6) were included in this pilot study. All patients were treated according to standard irradiation protocols. All patients were asked to present with maximum bladder filling for each radiation treatment. After irradiation, patients were weighed before and after micturition, and the weight difference was assumed to reflect the micturition volume. RESULTS: No systematical variations in bladder capacity could be assessed during treatment for uterine tumors. In rectum carcinoma patients, a decrease in micturition volume by about 20% was observed between weeks 2 and 5 which, however, was not statistically significant; subsequently, normal to supra-normal values were measured. In patients treated for prostate cancer, volumes were reduced from week 2; in weeks 5 to 6, minimum values of approximately 70% of the control volumes were seen, which represent a significant reduction (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Functional changes represent the majority of side effects of radiation therapy in the urinary bladder. The assessment of urinary bladder function by pre- and post-micturition weighing is a feasible and sensitive method to objectively determine radiation-induced changes. This method may be applied for the documentation of acute radiotherapy side effects.

[Continuing neurologic assessment in myelodysplasia]. / Evaluación neurourológica continuada en la mielodisplasia.

OBJECTIVES: Myelodysplasia produces a neurological lesion with unpredictable urodynamic sequelae. The present study describes our experience in 18 patients with myelodysplasia and vesicourethral dysfunction. METHODS: The study comprised 18 patients (11 males and 7 females) with myelodysplasia and vesicourethral dysfunction. Patient median age was 15.7 years (range 7 months-57 years) and the mean follow-up was 20 months (range 7-47 months). After physical and neurological examination, all patients underwent a complete urodynamic evaluation, including selective electromyography of the periurethral sphincter and videocystography. The urodynamic studies were repeated regularly during follow-up. RESULTS: 14 patients (67.7%) showed a lower motor neuron vesicourethral dysfunction; 2 (11.1%) had upper motor neuron lesion and 2 (11.1%) mixed motor neuron lesion. During the study period, no alterations were observed in the urodynamic pattern of patients with upper or mixed motor neuron lesions, but 9 patients (64.2%) with lower motor neuron lesions showed changes in the urodynamic pattern compared with the first evaluation, with alterations in bladder compliance being the most frequent. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in bladder compliance may arise from neurogenic and nonneurogenic factors. Our findings indicate the need for close urodynamic surveillance of patients with myelodysplasia and vesicourethral dysfunction.

[Usefulness of cystomanometry in the assessment of urinary irritative symptoms]. / Valor de la cistomanometría en la evaluación de la sintomatología irritativa miccional.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the value of cystometry in evaluating patients with irritative voiding symptoms with no remarkable previous medical history. METHODS: 79 patients (24 males, 55 females; mean age 49.6 years) with irritative voiding symptoms and no remarkable previous medical history comprised the study. The patients underwent physical and neurourological examination. The urodynamic assessment included uroflowmetry, filling cystometry, pressure/flow study (and urethral pressure in some cases). Uninhibited detrusor contractions were registered. RESULTS: Cystometry failed to detect involuntary detrusor contractions in 68 of the 79 patients (86.1%) with no relevant medical history. Detrusor instability was not found in 41 of 52 women (78.9%) with irritative voiding symptoms and stress incontinence without neurological disease. Involuntary contractions were not observed in 14 of 16 patients (87.5%) with irritative symptoms with a diagnosis of infravesical obstruction. On the other hand, 33 of 68 patients (48.5%) with irritative complaints and a history of neurologic disease showed no hyperreflexia. A statistically significant difference was found between this latter group of patients and those with no remarkable previous medical history (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that filling cystometry is of little value in the assessment of patients with irritative voiding symptoms and no remarkable previous medical history, but is more useful in patients with irritative symptoms and neurological disease. Careful history-taking and physical examination should detect the underlying problem in the majority of patients.

[Value of voiding ultrasonography combined with urodynamic studies in the assessment of vesical sphincter dyssynergy]. / Intérêt de l'échographie mictionnelle couplée à l'urodynamique dans l'étude des dyssynergies vésico-sphinctériennes.

Fifteen paraplegic patients all presenting with vesico-sphincteric dyssynergia underwent, between January and September 1990, a urodynamic and electromyographic examination combined with pre-voiding or voiding transrectal ultrasonography. The ultrasound apparatus used was a Siemens Sonoline SL1 with a MHz linear intracavitary probe giving a strictly longitudinal plane of section. The urodynamic apparatus used was a Wiest 6000 with a Böhler 7 F urethral catheter and an electromyography needle-electrode implanted in the striated sphincter. This type of ultrasonography provided a precise and dynamic image of the bladder neck, prostatic urethra and external striated sphincter during the phases of filling and voiding. Spastic contractions of the striated sphincter during detrusor contraction were observed in 8 patients with an intermittent and jerky urinary stream. In 7 patients, the striated sphincter remained closed during detrusor contraction and only opened briefly as soon as detrusor contraction decreased, allowing only a weak and transient flow. By allowing the direct visualisation of the sphincteric obstruction during voiding, dynamic transrectal ultrasonography clearly confirmed the diagnosis of vesico-sphincteric dyssynergia. In contrast with classical voiding cystourethrography, this is a non-invasive, inexpensive and, most importantly, repeatable technique, as it does not require any irradiation. It is therefore suitable for drug evaluation trials, particularly of alpha-blockers and to assess one of the many treatments proposed in vesico-sphincteric dyssynergia.