A new tool to investigate anorectal disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis: STAR-Q.

BACKGROUND: Bowel symptoms are commonly experienced by patients with Multiple sclerosis (PwMS), but no specific questionnaire validated in this population allows a rigorous assessment. OBJECTIVE: Validation of a multidimensional questionnaire assessing bowel disorders in PwMS. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter study was conducted between April 2020 and April 2021. The STAR-Q (Symptoms' assessmenT of AnoRectal dysfunction Questionnaire), was built in 3 steps. First, literature review and qualitative interviews were performed to create the first version, discussed with a panel of experts. Then, a pilot study assessed comprehension, acceptation and pertinence of items. Finally, the validation study was designed to measure content validity, internal consistency reliability (alpha coefficient of Cronbach) and test-retest reliability [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)]. The primary outcome was good psychometric properties with Cronbach's α>0.7 and ICC>0.7. RESULTS: We included 231 PwMS. Comprehension, acceptation and pertinence were good. STAR-Q showed a very good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α=0.84) and test-retest reliability (ICC=0.89). Final version of STAR-Q was composed of 3 domains corresponding in symptoms (Q1-Q14), treatment and constraints (Q15-Q18) and impact on quality of life (Q19). Three categories of severity were determined (STAR-Q≤16: minor, between 17 and 20: moderate, and≥21: severe). CONCLUSIONS: STAR-Q presents very good psychometric properties and allows a multidimensional assessment of bowel disorders in PwMS.

Ejaculation and sperm characteristics in men with cauda equina and conus medullaris syndromes.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to describe the type of ejaculation in patients with cauda equina (CE) and conus medullaris (CM) lesions, and to analyse sperm quality. SETTING: France. METHODS: One hundred sixty-six patients with CE and CM lesions were included. Diagnosis was based on clinical (no motor responses, sensation or sacral reflexes) and urodynamic assessments (no detrusor activity). Vibromassage (VM) was used to induce ejaculation according to the recommendations for patients with spinal cord injury. If ejaculation did not occur, oral midodrine was administered in progressive doses. Retrograde ejaculation was systematically sought. Sperm parameters were analysed according to World Health Organisation recommendations (2010). RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients were included. Eleven ejaculated on the first VM trial (four anterograde (AE), six retrograde (RE) and one antero-retrograde (ARE)). Five patients continued trials of VM alone, two of whom ejaculated following a mean 1.9 trials (one RE, one ARE). Twenty-six patients underwent trials of VM+ midodrine, 18 of whom ejaculated following a mean 4.4 trials with a mean dose of 22.5 g of midodrine (2 AE, 13 RE and 5 ARE). Fifty-three ejaculates from 26 patients were analysed. Sperm concentration was low in 90.6% of samples; total necrospermia was found in 65% and asthenospermia in 95% of samples. CONCLUSION: Ejaculation is difficult to induce using VM in patients with CE and CM lesions, and requires high doses of midodrine. Sperm counts were generally low, and asthenospermia and necrospermia were found in the majority of specimens. Cryopreservation of sperm should be systematic in case of medically assisted procreation.

Validity of urine dipstick test to assess eradication of urinary tract infection in persons with spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively study the predictive value (PV) of urine nitrite (NIT) dipstick testing against urine cultures during antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infection (UTI), and other situations, in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: Inpatients with SCI on intermittent catheterisation (IC) or a Foley indwelling catheter (FC) were included. Urine specimens were collected in patients without symptoms (routine), with symptoms of UTI (suspicion), and on day 4 of a 5-day antibiotic treatment (ATB+3). RESULTS: A total of 157 urine samples were collected in 61 patients: 34 were on IC (95 samples) and 27 on FC (62 samples). The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in the urine cultures was 89% in routine (70 samples). At ATB+3, microbiological cure was found in 27/30 specimens (IC group) and 2/6 (FC group). In the routine condition, the specificity and positive PV of the NIT tests was 1.00 and sensitivity 0.63. The negative PV was low in both groups. In suspicion of UTI, the sensitivity was between 0.69 and 0.55, the positive PV was 1.00 and the negative PV 0.00 for both groups. At ATB+3, the negative PV and sensitivity was 1.00, specificity 0.85 and positive PV 0.43 in the IC group, and in the FC group, specificity was 1.00, negative PV 0.33 and sensitivity 0.00. CONCLUSION: In the SCI population on intermittent or indwelling catheters with high prevalence of bacteriuria, dipstick testing helped assess the eradication of germs during antibiotic treatment, but showed no value in the decision making process for UTI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Evidence of a new pattern of ejaculation in men with spinal cord injury: ejaculation dyssynergia and implications for fertility.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the presence of sperm in the prostatic urethra as a stand-alone ejaculation entity and to assess its characteristics. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with anejaculation during sexual stimulation were enroled. Penile vibratory stimulations were carried out following bladder catherization and instillation of a pink buffering medium (Ferticult). Two-step catheterisation was then performed: a catheter was inserted through the urethral sphincter into the prostatic urethra to aspirate its content, and then bladder catheterisation was performed to collect the Ferticult. The procedure was repeated in some patients after at least 1 week. The characteristics of the semen collected from each organ were analysed and compared. RESULTS: A total of 42 trials were obtained from 22 patients. Sperms were found in the prostatic urethra in 21 samples (50%) from 12 patients (11 with spinal cord injury, 1 with diabetes). The colour of all 21 prostatic urethra sperm samples differed from the Ferticult. Sperm motility was greater in 8 samples, sperm count was higher in 10 and pH was different in 10, compared with the bladder samples. The higher overall quality of the sperm allowed cryopreservation in 10 prostatic urethra samples compared with only 5 bladder samples. Four of the five patients who underwent repeated trials had a reproducible pattern of prostatic urethra ejaculation. CONCLUSION: The presence of sperm in the prostatic urethra most probably results from 'ejaculation dyssynergia', a lack of coordination between bladder neck and external sphincter. Sperm from the prostatic urethra should be systematically sought to improve the outcome of assisted reproduction.

Predictors of outcome for urethral injection of botulinum toxin to treat detrusor sphincter dyssynergia in men with spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine outcome predictors for urethral injection of botulinum toxin to treat detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) in patients with spinal cord injury. METHODS: Botulinum toxin type A (100 Units Botox, Allergan) was injected into the external urethral sphincter using a transperineal approach under EMG guidance. Treatment was indicated if DSD was found on urodynamic testing with a post-void residual volume (PVR) above 100 ml. Urodynamic tests and cystourethrograms were performed at baseline. Dysuria (scale of 1-5) and PVR (48- h bladder diary) were evaluated at baseline and 1 month. The outcome was deemed excellent when PVR was equal to or <100 ml and 20%, and dysuria rated <3. RESULTS: Seventy-two men with tetraplegia and 27 with paraplegia were included. There were significant reductions in PVR (from 227 to 97 ml and 63% to 27%) and dysuria (from 4.3 to 2.3). Excellent outcomes were found in 48 patients (48%), and the duration of effectiveness was 6.5 months. The need for catheterisation was decreased or eliminated in 18 patients. Vesicoureteral reflux disappeared in some patients. Poor outcome was significantly related to the presence of bladder neck dyssynergia and the absence of detrusor contraction in standard cystometry. Outcome was also related to the severity of DSD, with a strong correlation between PVR before and after injection (r=0.58). Injections were repeated in 36 patients and yielded similar outcomes in most cases (89%). CONCLUSIONS: Detrusor contractions (odds ratio=8.6) and normal bladder neck activity (odds ratio=7.1) are strong predictors of excellent outcome.

Lipofilling (fat grafting) in the secondary prevention of ischial tuberosity and pelvic pressure ulcers.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: Lipofilling was proposed to adult chronic spinal cord injury patients with history of ischial tuberosity pressure ulcers surgery, at risk of recurrence of pressure ulcers due to unsatisfactory adipose tissue thickness. SETTING: Fondation Hopale, Berck, France. METHODS: The three staged (Coleman) procedure for fat grafting consisted of water-jet assisted liposuction (Harvest-Jet), decantation, and reinjection of the autologous fat in three-dimensional plan. RESULTS: Ten consecutive patients (eight paraplegics and two tetraplegics) benefited from bilateral ischial lipofilling, with additional lipofilling of the sacrum (three patients) and the trochanters (two patients). All patients attended the seating clinic with pressure mapping before and after lipofilling for appropriate cushion prescription. Mean follow-up time was 16 months (4-24 months). Complications were limited to stage I (two patients) and stage II (one patient) pressure ulcers, due to negligence. Excellent results with minimal fat wasting (between 10% and 25%) underneath the ischial tuberosity were seen in eight patients, with significant improvement of adipose tissue thickness. Total fat waste was seen in two patients, one of whom following dramatic weight loss. Results were always good in the sacrum and trochanteric areas. Lipofilling allowed longer sitting times (three patients), improved skin quality (nine patients), improved quality of life (six patients), 'a better feeling of positioning in their wheelchair' (four patients), and decrease in pelvic pain (three patients). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Pelvic lipofilling is safe, cost-effective, and can now be considered in the primary prevention of pelvic pressure ulcers in patients with insufficient adipose tissue.

[Assessment of severity of neurogenic bowel dysfunction in chronic patients with a simple 1-item questionnaire (PGI-S)]. / Sévérité des troubles colorectaux associés aux maladies neurologiques et évaluation pratique par questionnaire à un item (PGI-S).

INTRODUCTION: Bowel symptoms (constipation and incontinence) are frequent in patients with a neurologic disease, but rarely assessed in rehabilitation centres. AIM: To study the prevalence of neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) in those patients, and to assess its severity with the Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGI-S). MATERIAL: Prospective study by questionnaires, with the Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction Score (0-47) and the PGI-S, a 1-item questionnaire (absent, mild, moderate, severe) for the severity of the bowel symptoms, and the Bristol Stool Chart for stool consistency. All patients presenting a chronic (>2months) neurological disease were included. RESULTS: Inclusion of 169 patients, 97 with spinal cord injury, 42 with multiple sclerosis and 30 with hemiplegia. In each population, prevalence of constipation was 67 %, 45 % and 17 %, of pelvic floor dyssynergia 82 %, 45 % and 27 %, and leakages (gas or stools) de 74 %, 48 % and 43 %, respectively. Moderate to severe bowel symptoms were seen in 61 % of spinal cord injury, 43 % of multiple sclerosis and 23 % of hemiplegic patients, with NBD scores of 11.9±6.5, 5.7±4.9 and 3.7±4.2, respectively (P<0.01). There was a significant relation between PGI-S and NBD score (P<0.01). Significant lower NBD scores were associated with normal stool consistency (Bristol type 3 or 4) (P<0.01). In case of severe bowel symptoms, the use of transanal irrigation was hampered by patients' motivation and acceptation, and their autonomy. CONCLUSION: PGI-S and Bristol Stool Chart are reliable tools to assess the presence of bowel symptoms in clinical practice.

[Definition of botulinum toxin failure in neurogenic detrusor overactivity: Preliminary results of the DETOX survey]. / Définition et prise en charge de l'échec d'une première injection de toxine botulique Botox ® 200 U pour hyperactivité détrusorienne neurogène: résultats de l'enquête DETOX.

OBJECTIVE: There is currently no guideline regarding the management of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) refractory to intra-detrusor botulinum toxin injections. The primary objective of the present study was to find a consensus definition of failure of botulinum toxin intra-detrusor injections for NDO. The secondary objective was to report current trends in the managment of NDO refractory to botulinum toxin. METHODS: A survey was created, based on data drawn from current literature, and sent via e-mail to all the experts form the Group for research in neurourology in french language (GENULF) and from the comittee of neurourology of the French urological association (AFU). The experts who did not answer to the first e-mail were contacted again twice. Main results from the survey are presented and expressed as numbers and proportions. RESULTS: Out of the 42 experts contacted, 21 responded to the survey. Nineteen participants considered that the definition of failure should be a combination of clinical and urodynamics criteria. Among the urodynamics criteria, the persistence of a maximum detrusor pressure>40 cm H2O was the most supported by the experts (18/21, 85%). According to the vast majority of participants (19/21, 90.5%), the impact of injections on urinary incontinence should be included in the definition of failure. Regarding the management, most experts considered that the first line treatment in case of failure of a first intra-detrusor injection of Botox(®) 200 U should be a repeat injection of Botox(®) at a higher dosage (300 U) (15/20, 75%), regardless of the presence or not of urodynamics risk factors of upper tract damage (16/20, 80%). CONCLUSION: This work has provided a first overview of the definition of failure of intra-detrusor injections of botulinum toxin in the management of NDO. For 90.5% of the experts involved, the definition of failure should be clinical and urodynamic and most participants (75%) considered that, in case of failure of a first injection of Botox(®) 200 U, repeat injection of Botox(®) 300 U should be the first line treatment.

Are oxybutynin and trospium efficacious in the treatment of detrusor overactivity in spinal cord injury patients?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of anticholinergic agents in the treatment of neurogenic overactive bladder (NOAB) and neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients on clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC). METHODS: Chronic suprasacral SCI patients on CIC presenting with at least one urinary leakage a day were included. Urodynamics and voiding diaries were performed at baseline and 1 month follow-up. In case of NDO at baseline, an anticholinergic drug was prescribed. RESULTS: The 231 SCI patients presented with one to five urinary leakages per day (mean 2.1). Urodynamics showed NDO in all patients. A new anticholinergic treatment was started in all, either in monotherapy (134 patients) or in association with the existing anticholinergic drug (oxybutynin+trospium bitherapy, 97 patients). The mean maximum bladder capacity significantly increased from 225 to 441 ml, and the mean involuntary detrusor contractions (IDC) significantly decreased from 67 to 41 cm H2O. Only 75 SCI patients (32%) were fully continent. However, 25 out of these 75 patients showed persistent NDO, with amplitudes of IDC above 40 cm H2O in 12 patients. Incontinence was still found in 156 SCI patients (67%), with an average of 1,2 leakages a day. In 100 patients, amplitudes of IDC remained above 40 cm H2O. There was no statistical difference between patients on anticholinergic monotherapy or bitherapy at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Anticholinergic treatment is not always satisfactory in terms of control of NDO and rarely allows full continence. Urodynamic follow-up is mandatory in all patients, even in those showing clinical continence.

[Evaluation of the management of erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction in a series of 90 patients with spinal cord injuries]. / Évaluation du traitement des dysfonctions érectiles et éjaculatoires dans une série de 90 blessés médullaires.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory on patients injured in conus medullaris (CMI) and the efficacy of treatment. METHODS: Ninety patients with injured conus medullaris underwent a retrospective and monocentric study. They have all an assessment of erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) and a clinic scenario. We evaluated the erection by a clinical scoring scale (Shrameck). Seventy-seven out of 90 (85.55%) had therapeutic tests to restore erection: prostaglandin (PGE1), phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5) and Papaverine. Seventy-four out of 90 (82.22%) underwent a penile stimulation tests (VM) more or less associated with Midodrine(®) (alpha mimetic) to cause ejaculation with a systematic search of spermatozoa in urine. Data were entered and analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel. RESULTS: Ninety patients with a complete lesion of the sacral metameres (S2S3S4) were included. They were responding to PGE1, PDE5, respectively 81.63% and 30.76%. The association VM/Midodrine(®) improves ejaculation in 52.63% of cases. Orgasm is absent in all our CMI. CONCLUSION: In this series of BCM patients, we observed a good efficacy of PGE1 and PDE 5 on erection. We also observed positive results of vibromassage and alpha-agonists on ejaculation.

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

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

Use of the ice water test as an early predictor of recovery of erectile function in patients with spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional. OBJECTIVES: To determine the capacity of the ice water test (IWT) to predict erectile function during the early phase of spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: France. METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Data from patients with SCI were included if they presented with neurogenic shock causing erectile dysfunction AND detrusor underactivity, and had undergone the following evaluations during the first 6 months post SCI (E1), and again at least 2 years later (E2): a complete neurological examination, urodynamic evaluation with the IWT, and evaluation by the Erection Hardness Score (EHS, from 0 to 4). Patients with cauda equina syndromes were excluded. RESULTS: Data from 62 patients with SCI were included, 37 with a positive IWT and 25 with a negative IWT. E1 was performed at 3.2 months ± 1.9, and E2 at 2.0 years ± 2.9 post SCI. At E2, 95% of patients with an initial positive IWT had reliable erections (EHS 3 or 4), compared with 0% of patients with a negative IWT. Neurogenic detrusor overactivity was found in 89% of patients with a positive IWT compared with 8% with a negative IWT. The IWT had a good sensitivity and negative predictive value: 100% for erectile function, and respectively 94 and 92% for bladder function. CONCLUSION: The IWT is a reliable and predictive test of erectile potential in patients with sacral and suprasacral SCI.

Open surgery for haemorrhoids in persons with spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Pilot retrospective study on the outcome of open surgery for grade III and IV haemorrhoids in patients with SCI. OBJECTIVE: Haemorrhoids and anal fissures are common in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Grade I to III haemorrhoids are usually managed medically or by surgical ligation. Grade III and IV haemorrhoids are treated with surgical haemorrhoidectomy in the general population, but not in patients with SCI, most probably due to fear of complications. SETTING: Fondation Hopale, Berck-sur Mer, France. METHODS: The surgical database was searched for open haemorrhoidectomies performed between 2007 and 2016. Seventeen patients were included. There were mostly males with complete paraplegia, mean age: 50 years and mean time since injury: 15.9 years. Open haemorrhoidectomy (Milligan and Morgan) was performed for isolated haemorrhoids (n = 4), and combined with Leopold Bellan procedure (posterior anoplasty and internal sphincterotomy) for associated anal fissures (n = 13). Short-term follow-up was performed by the surgeon (post-operative weeks 2 and 6), long-term follow-up by telephone interview (mean 5.7 years, SD 1.9). RESULTS: At 6-weeks post-operative, no significant complications had occurred and all wounds had healed, however 1 patient had recurrence of anal fissure. At long-term follow-up, 75% of patients reported a significant improvement in anorectal symptoms. Recurrences were reported by 5 patients: 3 haemorrhoids (18%) and 2 anal fissures (25%). Anal incontinence occurred in 1 patient who required an anal plug. All patients maintained the same bowel programs as pre-operative. CONCLUSIONS: Open surgery procedures were well tolerated and should be considered in persons with SCI.

What is the place of electroneuromyographic studies in the diagnosis and management of pudendal neuralgia related to entrapment syndrome?

Entrapment of the pudendal nerve may be at the origin of chronic perineal pain. This syndrome must be diagnosed because this can result in the indication of surgical decompression of the entrapped nerve for pain relief. Electroneuromyographic (ENMG) investigation is often performed in this context, based on needle electromyography and the study of sacral reflex and pudendal nerve motor latencies. The limits of ENMG investigation, owing to various pathophysiological and technical considerations, should be known. The employed techniques do not assess directly the pathophysiological mechanisms of pain but rather correlate to structural alterations of the pudendal nerve (demyelination or axonal loss). In addition, only direct or reflex motor innervation is investigated, whereas sensory nerve conduction studies should be more sensitive to detect nerve compression. Finally, ENMG cannot differentiate entrapment from other causes of pudendal nerve lesion (stretch induced by surgical procedures, obstetrical damage, chronic constipation...). Thus, perineal ENMG has a limited sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome and does not give direct information about pain mechanisms. Pudendal neuralgia related to nerve entrapment is mainly suspected on specific clinical features and perineal ENMG examination provides additional, but no definitive clues, for the diagnosis or the localization of the site of compression. In fact, the main value of ENMG is to assess objectively pudendal motor innervation when a surgical decompression is considered. Perineal ENMG might predict the outcome of surgery but is of no value for intraoperative monitoring.

Dartos reflex as autonomic assessment in persons with spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical series. OBJECTIVES: The dartos reflex (DR) produces unilateral elevation of the testis with vermicular contraction of the scrotal skin and penile retraction. It is a somato-autonomic reflex that depends on the T11-L2 sympathetic segment. Its presence was analysed in men with various levels and severities of spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: France. METHODS: Male patients with SCI undergoing urodynamic or sexual assessment were included. DR of the scrotum and penis were systematically assessed in addition to the usual neurological examination that included assessment of the autonomic system, cremaster, and sacral reflexes. The DR was evoked by applying a small ice pack on the scrotum, separately to each side. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were assessed. DRs were always present when the T11-L2 segment was intact above the lesion (low paraplegia below L2) or below the lesion in an upper motor neuron (UMN) syndrome (spastic paraplegia above T10). They were more pronounced in the case of UMN syndrome. In the case of lower motor neuron (LMN) syndrome that included the T11-L2 segment, DRs disappeared in all but one patient. Patients with a LMN lesion were more prone to retrograde or absent ejaculation, loss of psychogenic erection, and open bladder neck. CONCLUSIONS: The DR is a valuable test for the assessment of the integrity and excitability of the T11-L2 spinal segment. It is easy to perform and is predictive of some aspects of sexual and bladder neck function in men. DR should be considered as an addition to the autonomic standards.

Prediction of sexual function following spinal cord injury: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) affects sexual response based on the level and degree of completeness of injury. By using the International Standards for the Neurologic Classification of SCI in conjunction with lumbo-sacral reflexes these effects can be predicted. The International Standards for the Assessment of Autonomic Function after SCI (ISAFSCI) document the impact of SCI on sexual responses including psychogenic and reflex arousal (erection or lubrication), orgasm, ejaculation, and sensation of menses. Responses are described based upon a 0 to 2 scale with 0 being absent, 1 altered, and 2 normal response. Additionally, the lesion is described as supraconal, conal or infraconal. CASE PRESENTATION: We present 4 representative cases of the impact of SCI on sexual responses and course of treatment. Case 1 describes a complete supraconal lesion above T6 with upper motor neuron syndrome. Case 2 describes a supraconal complete lesion including the T11-L2 segment. Case 3 describes an infraconal (cauda equina) lesion with lower motor neuron syndrome. Case 4 is theoretical and describes a supraconal lesion above T6 with upper motor neuron syndrome, partial sensation in T11-L2 dermatomes, and other medical comorbidities. DISCUSSION: Neurologic examination combined with reflex testing allows prediction of sexual responses after SCI. It would be useful for version 2.0 of the ISAFSCI to assist clinicians in determining the anticipated changes, whether their patients are functioning as anticipated sexually after SCI or whether other concerns also require treatment.

Sympathetic skin response in spinal cord injured patients: preliminary report.

Sympathetic skin responses (SSRs) were recorded in six spinal cord injured patients. These SSRs were obtained at hands and feet, after electrical stimulation of the median or the posterior tibial nerves. Below the level of the lesion, SSRs had similar latencies than normal subjects, but were more inconstant, with a lesser amplitude and elicited after stronger stimulus intensity. The origin of these somatosympathetic reflexes are discussed. SSRs recordings seem to be a simple and suitable technique for investigation of the autonomic nervous system of the spinal cord injured patients.

Sexual disorders in men with multiple sclerosis: evaluation and management.

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common feature of men with multiple sclerosis. SD is often unrecognized as patients and physicians are reluctant to discuss these problems. Rates of symptoms range from 50% to 90% and include erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, orgasmic dysfunction and reduced libido. SD can arise at any stage of the disease, even without severe disability. While erectile dysfunction is thought to be related to impairment of the pathways in the spinal cord, fatigue, spasticity, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and pain, contribute to SD. Psychosocial and cultural issues also need evaluating, and include depression, performance anxiety, lowered self-esteem. A comprehensive assessment of all theses aspects must be taken into account. Erectile dysfunction can be treated with phosphodiesterase inhibitors and intracavernous injections, with good efficacy. Ejaculatory dysfunction is managed through penile vibratory stimulation and midodrine. Concerning fertility issues, the effects of or immunomodulating drugs on semen quality are largely unknown, whereas many immunosuppressive therapies have a negative effect on semen quality that may be definitive. Advanced methods of assisted reproduction may sometimes be the only option for conception. Physicians' awareness of this problem may help to bring about appropriate treatments, and improve the quality of life for these patients.