Neurogenic Bladder: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management.

Lower urinary tract dysfunction is a common sequel of neurological disease resulting in symptoms that significantly impacts quality of life. The site of the neurological lesion and its nature influence the pattern of dysfunction. The risk for developing upper urinary tract damage and renal failure is considerably lower in patients with slowly progressive nontraumatic neurological disorders, compared with those with spinal cord injury or spina bifida. This acknowledged difference in morbidity is considered when developing appropriate management algorithms. The preliminary evaluation consists of history taking, and a bladder diary and may be supplemented by tests such as uroflowmetry, post-void residual measurement, renal ultrasound, (video-)urodynamics, neurophysiology, and urethrocystoscopy, depending on the clinical indications. Incomplete bladder emptying is most often managed by intermittent catheterization, and storage dysfunction is managed by antimuscarinic medications. Intra-detrusor injections of onabotulinumtoxinA have revolutionized the management of neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Neuromodulation offers promise for managing both storage and voiding dysfunction. In select patients, reconstructive urological surgery may become necessary. An individualized, patient-tailored approach is required for the management of lower urinary tract dysfunction in this special population.

Acoustoelasticity Analysis of Transient Waves for Non-Invasive In Vivo Assessment of Urinary Bladder.

A non-invasive method for measurement of the bladder wall nonlinear elastic behavior is presented. The method is based on acoustoelasticity modeling of the elasticity changes in bladder tissue modulus at different volumetric strain levels. At each volume, tissue strain is obtained from the real-time ultrasound images. Using acoustic radiation force, a transient Lamb wave is excited on the bladder wall and instantaneous modulus of shear elasticity is obtained from the 2-D Fourier analysis of the spatial-temporal dispersion maps. Measured elasticity and strain data are then used in an acoustoelasticity formulation to obtain the third order elastic coefficient, referred to as nonlinearity parameter A, and initial resting elasticity µ0. The method was tested in ex vivo porcine bladder samples (N = 9) before and after treatment with formalin. The estimated nonlinearity parameter, A, was significantly higher in the treated samples compared to intact (p < 0.00062). The proposed method was also applied on 16 patients with neurogenic bladders (10 compliant and 6 non-compliant subjects). The estimated nonlinearity parameter A was significantly higher in the non-compliant cases compared to the compliant (p < 0.0293). These preliminary results promise a new method for non-invasive evaluation of the bladder tissue nonlinearity which may serve as a new diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for management of the patients with neurogenic bladders.

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.

Secondary and tertiary treatments for multiple sclerosis patients with urinary symptoms.

Multiple sclerosis patients with refractory urinary symptoms after treatment with behavioral therapy and medications still have treatment options. Prior to starting treatments, baseline symptoms should be assessed and treatment goals thoroughly discussed. Catheterization, botulinum toxin, and reconstructive surgery all can play a role in improving both safety and quality of life for these patients. Newer modalities, such as neuromodulation, may also have an increasing role in the future as more data develop regarding efficacy. Risks need to be weighed against any perceived benefit and disease status before more aggressive therapy is initiated.

Electrical nerve stimulation to promote micturition in spinal cord injury patients: A review of current attempts.

AIMS: In this review, we focus on the current attempts of electrical nerve stimulation for micturition in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. METHODS: A literature search was performed through PubMed using "spinal cord injury," "electrical nerve stimulation AND bladder," "sacral anterior root stimulation/stimulator" and "Brindley stimulator" from January 1975 to January 2014. RESULTS: Twenty studies were selected for this review. CONCLUSION: Electrical nerve stimulation is a clinical option for promoting micturition in SCI patients. Well-designed, randomized and controlled studies are essential for further investigation.

Sacral neuromodulation in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective chart analysis. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). SETTINGS: This study was conducted in a spinal cord injury rehabilitation center in Switzerland. METHODS: The charts of all patients who underwent SNM (testing and/or permanent implantation) because of NLUTD at our institution between 2007 and 2013 were evaluated. Treatment outcomes and complications were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients, 30 women and 20 men, with a mean age of 46 (±14) years, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The most frequent cause for SNM was spinal cord injury in 35 patients (70%). Median duration of the underlying disease was 9.5 (±9.3) years. In all, 35 patients (70%) received a permanent implant. The complication rate was 16% (8/50). At the last follow-up, SNM was in use in 32 patients. In 26 patients with SNM because of detrusor overactivity, voiding frequency per 24 h was significantly reduced from 9 to 6, and daily pad use rate was significantly improved (2.6 versus 0.6 pads per 24h). On comparing urodynamic assessment of detrusor function before and under SNM, no significant suppression of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) was detected. In nine patients with chronic neurogenic urinary retention, median postvoid residual urine was significantly reduced from 370 to 59 ml. In all, 94% of the patients were either very satisfied or satisfied with SNM. CONCLUSION: SNM might be an additional therapy option in carefully selected patients with NLUTD. On the basis of our results, urodynamic evaluation before SNM is mandatory, as the procedure does not seem to be suited to significantly alleviate NDO.

Electrical stimulation of somatic afferent nerves in the foot increases bladder capacity in neurogenic bladder patients after sigmoid cystoplasty.

BACKGROUND: A previous study showed that foot stimulation can delay the bladder filling sensation and increase bladder volume in healthy humans without OAB. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not electrical stimulation of somatic afferent nerves in the foot can increase bladder capacity in neurogenic bladder patients after sigmoid cystoplasty. METHODS: Eleven subjects underwent 30-min foot stimulation using skin surface electrodes connected to a bladder-pelvic stimulator. The electrodes were attached to the bottom of the foot. The subjects completed a 5-day voiding diary, during which time foot stimulation was applied on day 3. The stimulation parameter was a continuous, bi-polar square wave form with a pulse duration of 200 µs and a stimulation frequency of 5 Hz. The stimulation intensity was set by each subject at a maximal level without causing discomfort. RESULTS: The volume per clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) was 279.4 ± 11.7 ml and 285.4 ± 11.8 ml on the 1st and 2nd days, respectively. On the 3rd day, the average volume per CIC increased to 361.1 ± 18.1 ml after stimulation (p <0.05). The average volume per CIC returned to 295.4 ± 13.4 ml and 275.1 ± 11.5 ml on the 4th and 5th days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Foot stimulation can delay the bladder filling sensation and significantly increase bladder capacity in neurogenic bladder patients after sigmoid cystoplasty.

The evaluation and management of refractory neurogenic overactive bladder.

Patients with neurologic disease commonly develop overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms of urgency, frequency, and/or urge incontinence that remain bothersome despite oral pharmacologic therapy. Management of refractory OAB in the neurogenic population is a complex issue with no uniform treatment strategy. When treatment fails or patients generally are dissatisfied with the adverse effects of oral therapy, available options include sacral neuromodulation, percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), botulinum toxin injections, and lower urinary tract reconstruction such as augmentation cystoplasty. A thorough knowledge and understanding of available and emerging treatment options for neurogenic detrusor overactivity is paramount to assisting clinicians in choosing an appropriate treatment. This article reviews the non-pharmacologic treatment options for neurogenic OAB, mainly botulinum toxin, neuromodulation, and lower urinary tract reconstruction, and discusses important relevant studies.

Intravesical electrostimulation versus sacral neuromodulation for incomplete spinal cord patients suffering from neurogenic non-obstructive urinary retention.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of intravesical electrostimulation (IVES) versus sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in patients with incomplete spinal cord lesions (SCL) and neurogenic non-obstructive urinary retention (N-NOR). METHODS: In this retrospective study, 77 N-NOR patients underwent IVES (minimum 28 sessions), then after returning to voiding baseline symptoms, percutaneous first stage of SNM (lasting for minimum 4 weeks). After the two neuromodulation treatments, responders were categorized as patients experiencing both a 50% reduction of volume per catheterization per ml and a 50% reduction in number of catheterizations per day when comparing the 7-day voiding diaries at the end of both procedures to baselines. New urodynamics were performed subsequently. Responders to first stage of SNM underwent permanent SNM. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients responded to neither of the treatments, whereas 29 responded to both IVES and first-stage SNM. No significant statistical differences (P>0.05) were detected in the voiding diaries. Following the two procedures, the first sensation of bladder filling was either maintained or recovered by all responders, whereas the same 11 patients reached a bladder contractility index of >100. The 29 IVES responders lost their clinical benefits in a mean follow-up of 9.6 months. Only 10 out of the 29 patients became nonresponsive to permanent SNM, in a mean follow-up of 54 months. CONCLUSION: A strict correlation in terms of clinical and urodynamic patterns was demonstrated in patients with incomplete SCL and N-NOR, following IVES and first stage of SNM. However, voiding improvement through IVES was short-term when compared with the effects of permanent SNM.

Subject-controlled stimulation of dorsal genital nerve to treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity at home.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of subject controlled dorsal genital nerve (DGN) electrical stimulation on neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in subjects at home. METHODS: Subjects underwent a 5-day study at home with DGN stimulation. Stimulation was provided with surface electrodes placed either on the dorsal penile shaft in males and on or close to the clitoris in females. The days 1 and 5 were with no stimulation whereas days 2-4 were with stimulation. Two urodynamic studies were performed at the beginning and at the end of the study. A bladder diary was obtained. RESULTS: Eleven subjects with NDO and with urge incontinence were included. One subject stopped the protocol before the end of the 5-day trial and two did not undergo the second urodynamic study. The subjects showed a statistically significant increase in bladder capacities compared to baseline (P = 0.047). Mean volume per day voided significantly increased over the study within the subjects. Differences between day 1 and day 5 were statistically significant (P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility and the globally positive outcomes of the study indicate that the stimulation of the dorsal genital nerve can be an option for the treatment of the NDO.

[Sacral neuromodulation for neurogenic bladder dysfunction]. / Sakrale Neuromodulation bei neurogenen Blasenfunktionsstörungen.

Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) represents a promising option for managing treatment-refractory neurogenic bladder dysfunction. It remains to be seen, however, which types of neurogenic bladder dysfunction and which underlying neurological disorders best respond to SNM. Constant improvements in SNM have been achieved and it is now a minimally invasive approach performed under local anesthesia which should be considered before undertaking larger reconstructive procedures. An electrode is implanted in the S3 or S4 sacral foramen and during a test phase lasting for days to weeks the patient keeps a bladder diary to determine whether SNM has provided a relevant benefit. If the results of the test phase are positive, a neuromodulator is implanted in the gluteal area (or more rarely in the abdominal wall).The mechanism of action of SNM has not been completely clarified, but the afferent nerves most likely play a key role. It appears that SNM produces a modulation of medullary reflexes and brain centers by peripheral afferents. The implanted neuromodulation system does not lead to limitation of the patient's activities. However, it should be noted that high-frequency diathermy and unipolar electrocauterization are contraindicated in patients with neuromodulators, that during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy the focal point should not be in the direct vicinity of the neuromodulator or the electrode, that ultrasound and radiotherapy in the region of the implanted components should be avoided, that the neuromodulation should be discontinued in pregnancy, and that MRI examinations should only be conducted when urgently indicated and the neuromodulator is turned off.

Patient controlled versus automatic stimulation of pudendal nerve afferents to treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity.

PURPOSE: We investigated whether patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity can sense the onset of bladder contraction and in turn suppress the contraction by electrical stimulation of the dorsal penile-clitoral nerve. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 67 patients with different neurological disorders were recruited to undergo 3 filling cystometries. The first cystometry was done without stimulation. The second cystometry was performed with automatic controlled stimulation based on detrusor pressure. The third cystometry was done with patient controlled stimulation using a push button. RESULTS: Four females and 13 males underwent all 3 fillings. Compared to cystometry 1 average bladder capacity for cystometries 2 and 3 was 60% higher. Compared to peak pressure for cystometry 1 average peak pressure during suppressed contractions for cystometries 2 and 3 was 49% and 26% lower, respectively. The average delay of the onset of stimulation during cystometry 3 with respect to cystometry 2 was 5.7 seconds. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that patient controlled genital nerve stimulation is as effective as automatic controlled stimulation to treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Thus, patient controlled stimulation is feasible in select patients, although patients must be trained in the technique.

Nuestra experiencia en el empleo de diferentes materiales inyectables en el tratamiento endoscópico del reflujo vesicoureteral / Our experience using various injectable materials for the endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux

Objetivo: El Reflujo Vésico Ureteral (RVU) es la anomalía urológica más común en la infancia, afectando al 1% de la población pediátrica. El tratamiento endoscópico del RVU está aceptado como la primera opción terapéutica del mismo y desde su implantación se han utilizado diferentes materiales inyectables. Exponemos nuestra experiencia en el tratamiento endoscópico del RVU con las distintas sustancias que hemos ido empleando desde que comenzamos a realizar el procedimiento. Métodos: Hemos realizado un estudio retrospectivo descriptivo de los 445 pacientes que han sido tratados endoscópicamente de reflujo vesicoureteral (RVU) en nuestro centro entre los años 1988 y 2004. Hemos tratado un total de 568 uréteres y hemos analizado los resultados en función del material empleado, el grado de reflujo y la patología asociada. Resultados: De los 569 uréteres con RVU tratados, 457 eran RVU (79%) simples, 76 (15%) estaban incluidos en un sistema renal doble, 24 (4%) se asociaban a vejiga neurógena y 12 (2 %) eran RVU secundarios a cirugía antirreflujo abierta. Utilizamos tres tipos de materiales, predominado el politetrafluoroetileno con 257 uréteres, siguiéndole el dextranómero de ácido hialurónico con159 y por último el polidimetilsilixano con 153. En los “RVU simples” la tasa de curación global fue del 88% (381 uréteres), con mejora importante del grado de reflujo en el 7% (51 uréteres), precisando una reimplantación tipo Cohen en el 5,5% de los casos (25 pacientes). Observamos un menor índice de éxitos y mayor necesidad de más inyecciones en los reflujos grado IV y V. En los “RVU asociados a duplicidad” los resultados empeoran, con menos éxitos y mayor necesidad de procedimientos para su resolución. Curamos 59 uréteres (77%) sobre 76 uréteres tratados, 13 uréteres (19%) mejoraron y 4% precisaron de reimplantación tipo Cohen. En los “RVU asociados a vejiga neurógena” se consiguió curación en 20 uréteres (83%). Hubo mejoría significativa del reflujo en 2 uréteres (8%). Fracasamos en dos (8%), necesitando de reimplantación tipo Cohen para evitar el deterioro progresivo del riñón. En los “RVU de uréteres reimplantados mediante cirugía abierta” curamos 12 uréteres (100%) sobre 12 tratados. Hubo 8 uréteres simples, solucionando el reflujo en 6 con un único procedimiento, mientras que uno precisó de dos procedimientos. En total el número de uréteres curados ha sido de 496 (87%) y 51 (9%) han mejorado. Se han intervenido 22 uréteres (4%). Con 1 inyección hemos curado un 68%, con 2 inyecciones un 16,5% y con 3 el 1%. Las complicaciones acaecidas en estos 569 procedimientos, fueron 5 (0,8%): 1 caso de cistitis hemorrágica que cedió espontáneamente en dos días y 4 pielonefritis que se trataron con antibiótico adecuado según antibiograma. No hemos tenido casos de infecciones urinarias bajas de repetición. El tiempo de seguimiento ha variado de 1´5 años a 15 años. Conclusiones: Parece que tanto el polidemitilsiloxano como el dextranómero de ácido hialurónico son materiales buenos y seguros y no tienen el peligro de migración a distancia que tiene el politetrafluoroetileno (AU)

OBJETIVES: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the most commoObjetives: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the most common urologic anomaly in childhood, affecting 1% of the pediatric population. Endoscopic treatment of VUR is accepted as the first therapeutic option and various injectable materials have been used since its implantation. We present our experience in the endoscopic treatment of VUR with various substances which we have been employing since we started performing the procedure. Methods: We have performed a retrospective descriptive study including 445 patients that underwent endoscopic treatment for vesicoureteral reflux in our centre between 1988 and 2004. We treated a total of 568 ureters, and we analyze results depending on the material employed, grade of reflux and associated pathology. Results: Among 569 ureters with vesicoureteral reflux undergoing treatment 457 were single VUR (79%), 76 (15%) were part of a double renal system, 24 (4%) were associated with neurogenic bladder, and 12 (2%) were secondary VUR after antireflux open surgery. We use three types of materials, with predominance of polytetrafluorethylene in 257 ureters, followed by hyaluronic acid dextranomer in 159, and finally polydimethylsiloxane in 153. In the cases of single VUR global cure rate was 88% (381 ureters), with significant improvement of the grade of reflux in 7% (51 ureters), and 5.5% of the cases (25 patients) requiring a Cohen type reimplantation. We observed a lower success rate and greater need of repeated injections in grade IV and V refluxes. In VUR associated with duplication results are worse, with less successes and greater need of procedures for its resolution. We cured 59 ureters (77%) out of 76 treated, 13 (19%) improved, and 4% required Cohen type reimplantation. In cases of VUR associated with neurogenic bladder 20 ureters were cured (83%). There was significant improvement in two ureters (8%); there were two failures (8%), requiring Cohen type reimplantation to avoid progressive deterioration of the kidney. In the cases of VUR after open surgical reimplantation all 12 ureters treated were cured (100%). Among 8 single ureters, reflux was solved with 1 procedure in 6 and 1 required 2 procedures. The total number of cured ureters has been 496(87%), and 51(9%) have improved. 22 ureters underwent surgery (4%). 68% of the cases were cured after 1 injection, 16.5% after 2 , and 1& after 3. There have been 5 complications (0,8%): 1 case of hemorrhagic cystitis which resolved spontaneously in two days, and 4 pyelonephritis which received the appropriate antibiotic therapy following antibiogram. We did not have any case of recurrent lower urinary tract infections. Follow-up has range it from 1.5 to 15 years. Conclusions: It seems that both polydimethylsiloxane and hyaluronic acid dextranomer are good and safe materials, and do not have the risk of distant migration of polytetrafluorethylene (AU)

Managing bladder symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The cause is still unknown but there is evidence that suggests there is an autoimmune component to the disease that causes damage to the myelin sheath, a complex material that surrounds the axon of myelinated nerves (Fig 1). It affects 100-120 people per 100,000 population, approximately 75 per cent of whom will develop urinary symptoms (NICE, 2003). Bladder problems usually occur when the disease involves the spinal cord (Fig 2) and these can get worse as the disease progresses and the patient becomes less mobile. Bladder symptoms affect many aspects of daily life and their management is extremely important. As the disease progresses and symptoms worsen, a well-planned strategy can offer patients the most effective pathway to manage their bladder problems.

[Management of neuropathic bladder in multiple sclerosis]. / Management della vescica neurologica nella sclerosi multipla.

It is estimated that almost 70% of patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer from urinary symptoms, with devastant impact on Quality of Life (QoL). The major aims of management should be to ameliorate the patients quality of life and to prevent the frequent complications of bladder dysfunction such as infention and renal damage. Therapy can usually eliminate or reduce the symptoms of neuropathic bladder. In the following pages is discussed the complex management of urinary symptoms in MS patients.

[Bladder dysfunction and surgery in the small pelvis. Therapeutic possibilities]. / Blasendysfunktion und Operationen im kleinen Becken.Therapiemöglichkeiten.

The more extensive a surgical procedure in a small pelvis, the higher the risk for the lower urinary tract with its nerve supply and nerve plexus. This concerns mainly the sympathetic chains, the parasympathetic structures and, rarely, the visceral supply of the pelvic floor. Direct trauma to the bladder and its vascular supply as well as indirect injury by displacement of the bladder need to be seriously considered. Problems with micturition and impaired storage capacity of the bladder are the result. Complete urodynamic examination and follow-up can help in differentiating between temporary and persisting disturbances and in taking therapeutical decisions. The most evident postoperative complication is disturbed micturition, managed initially by suprapubic urinary diversion, followed as soon as possible by intermittent self-catheterisation. This is the only way to avoid overstretching of the bladder, recurring urinary tract infection and damage to the upper urinary tract. Restoration of spontaneous micturition can be supported by drug treatment with parasympatholytics and/or alpha-blockers if the measured bladder pressure and residual urine are within tolerable limits. For electrostimulation of micturition, intravesical therapy, although timeconsuming, is best suited because it can easily be done on an outpatient basis. More promising seems bilateral sacral neuromodulation, which, however, is a rather complicated and expensive procedure. Surgical procedures to reduce the voiding resistance of the bladder involve the risk of postoperative incontinence because the sphincter function in those patients is often disturbed too. Persisting problems with bladder storage capacity as a result of tumor surgery in the small pelvis are frequently secondary to retention of urine (overflow incontinence). In these cases, regular evacuation of the bladder by intermittent self-catheterisation can lead to social acceptance. Reduced bladder compliance and lowering of the urethral leak pressure point may result in stress and urge incontinence, which, according to the established rules, should be managed by physiotherapy and behaviour therapy as well as drug therapy and only in exceptional cases by surgical measures. Prevention of postoperative bladder dysfunction can be tried by tissue- and nerve-sparing surgical techniques, but is always determined by oncological aspects.

Predictive factors for sacral neuromodulation in chronic lower urinary tract dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate data from 211 patients who underwent a trial stimulation (percutaneous nerve evaluation [PNE]) to determine the clinical parameters that can enhance the prediction of PNE success. The advantageous effect of sacral neuromodulation depends on the accurate identification of suitable candidates during the preimplantation PNE. METHODS: A total of 211 patients (161 women and 50 men), with refractory urge incontinence, urgency-frequency syndrome, and urinary retention, underwent a PNE. Patient data (demographics, medical history, urologic investigations, and diagnosis) were collected. The PNE results were evaluated from a voiding diary and patient history. More than 50% improvement of voiding parameters was considered a successful PNE, and those patients were selected for implantation. Logistic regression analysis was performed. The factors tested for predicting the test result were sex, patient age, diagnosis, previous surgery, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, duration of complaints, and previous treatments. RESULTS: The PNEs were positive in 85 patients (40.3%) and negative in 105 patients (49.8%). In 18 patients (8.5%), the test electrode had migrated; 3 more patients were not assessable and were also excluded. Missing data on the variable "duration of complaints" reduced the number of patients in the analyses from 190 to 174 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intervertebral disk prolapse, duration of complaints, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, and urge incontinence were found to be significant predictive factors. However, a PNE remains necessary to evaluate a patient's chance of implant success objectively.

Computerized assessment of detrusor instability in patients treated with sacral neuromodulation.

PURPOSE: We previously described an automatic procedure for diagnosing and grading detrusor instability using a cystometric study. In our current study we applied a modified version of the program in patients with urge incontinence treated with sacral neuromodulation to test its capacity to detect changes after therapeutic intervention and understand the mode of action of neuromodulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed cystometric studies before and after neuromodulation in 26 consecutive patients, including 22 women and 4 men, and evaluated parameter changes. We also assessed the relationship of instability parameters at baseline with symptomatic results, which were derived from voiding-incontinence diaries, in female patients to identify urodynamic prognosticators of success. RESULTS: The automatic procedure correctly diagnosed stability and instability in our patients in 51 of the 52 measurements considered. Neuromodulation had an average suppressive effect on the amplitude of unstable contractions. At baseline the amplitude of the maximum unstable contraction and mean active pressure during unstable episodes were significantly less in the 7 women who achieved stability than in the 15 who did not. However, no urodynamic parameters were identified that predicted the symptomatic outcome of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our algorithm accurately diagnoses and grades detrusor instability, and provides parameters with predictive value in regard to the probability that a bladder may or may not become stable with neuromodulation. However, the symptomatic result of this treatment option seems to depend on noncystometric factors.

Bladder management in women with neurologic disabilities.

Women with neurologic disabilities can experience an array of bladder disorders. There are many aspects of lower urinary tract management that are specific to women. Treatments should be based on urodynamic findings, and individualized for each woman's physical and cognitive abilities.