Bladder changes after catheterizable channel creation in adults with cerebral palsy who are in chronic urinary retention.

AIMS: Cerebral palsy (CP) is characterized by motor impairments as a result of brain injury during development. Patients can have neurogenic bladder dysfunction and are often unable to catheterize through their native urethra. Catheterizable channel (CC) creation can facilitate clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). We have observed that patients with large capacity, low-pressure bladders can develop de novo neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) postoperatively. We sought to better characterize this finding. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of patients 17 years or older with CP seen between 2006 and 2017. Patients undergoing creation of any type of CC without augmentation cystoplasty, due to adequate storage on pre-operative urodynamics (UDS), were included. Pre- and post-operative UDS were reviewed. Frequency of incontinence and use of anticholinergics or intravesical injections of onabotulinum toxin A (Btx) were reviewed. RESULTS: Eight patients with CP underwent CC creation without augmentation. Preoperatively, six of eight patients were in chronic retention with two others performing CIC. Following CC creation, patients in retention required additional NDO management with anticholinergics, mirabegron, or onabotulinumtoxin A. Among those with complete UDS data, 67% demonstrated lower maximum cystometric capacity postoperatively. Median follow-up was 25 months. CONCLUSIONS: CC creation facilitates CIC in adults with CP who are in chronic retention due to pseudodyssynergia. Despite preoperative UDS suggesting an adequate capacity, low-pressure bladder, such patients often manifest de novo NDO and worsening incontinence upon initiation of CIC after surgery. These findings should be considered when determining whether to perform augmentation at the time of CC in adults with CP.

Clinical outcomes of non-surgical management of detrusor leak point pressures above 40 cm water in adults with congenital neurogenic bladder.

AIMS: Neurogenic bladders (NGB) with detrusor leak point pressures >40 cm H2 O (dLPP > 40) have been associated with deterioration of renal function in children with myelomeningocele. For these children, careful pressure management preserves renal function. However, similar evidence is lacking in adult congenital urology (ACU) patients with NGB. We describe renal functional outcomes of non-surgical management of adults with dLPP > 40 or premicturition detrusor pressure (PMDP) >40 cm H2 O, consisting of close follow-up with urodynamic studies (UDS) and renal ultrasound (RUS), paired with adjustments to clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) frequency, anticholinergics, and addition of onabotulinumtoxinA toxin (BTX) injection. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the UDS of all patients at an ACU clinic from 2011 to 2016. Patients with dLPP/PMDP > 40 cm who elected for non-surgical management were included. We describe their management and renal functional outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 33/42 patients with dLPP/PMDP > 40 elected for non-surgical management. 28/33 (85%) were successfully managed without bladder augmentation or urinary diversion at follow-up of nearly 3 years. The median index dLPP/PMDP was 49 cm H2 O (IQR 44, 63) and final dLPP/PMDP was 28 (IQR 18, 43). There was a significant decrease in dLPP/PMDP and increase in bladder compliance between index and final UDS (P < 0.001). No patients advanced their CKD stage and 6/10 with baseline hydronephrosis had improvement or resolution of hydronephrosis with non-surgical management. CONCLUSIONS: A non-surgical protocol for ACU patients with NGB and dLPP/PMDP > 40, utilizing CIC, anticholinergics, and BTX is safe and effective when coupled with coordinated care and close follow-up.

Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Adults with Cerebral Palsy: Outcomes following a Conservative Management Approach.

PURPOSE: Cerebral palsy is characterized by motor impairment following injury to the developing brain. Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction is estimated to affect at least a third of children with cerebral palsy. However there are limited data as patients transition to adulthood. We sought to describe the symptoms, sequelae and management of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction in adults with cerebral palsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of adult patients with cerebral palsy between 2011 and 2014. Patients with prior bladder reconstruction or catheterization based bladder drainage were excluded from study. Cerebral palsy severity was determined using GMFCS (Gross Motor Function Classification System). A conservative evaluation and treatment paradigm was used. Noninvasive treatments were encouraged. Specifically clean intermittent catheterization, which is often not feasible, is avoided unless urinary retention, hydronephrosis or refractory lower urinary tract symptoms develop. RESULTS: There were 121 patients included in final analysis. Median age was 25 and 61 patients (50%) had GMFCS level V. Noninvasive management failed in 28 of 121 patients (23%) as defined by hydronephrosis in 9, persistent urinary retention in 10 and refractory lower urinary tract symptoms/incontinence in 9. Urethral clean intermittent catheterization was poorly tolerated. Of all patients 25% showed evidence of urolithiasis during the study period. Surgical intervention was rare and associated with significant morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with cerebral palsy may present with variable signs and symptoms of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. Conservative treatment was successful in more than 75% of patients. Clean intermittent catheterization was poorly tolerated in patients in whom conservative treatment failed. Surgical intervention was rarely indicated and it should be reserved for select individuals.

Medical and surgical management of neurogenic bowel.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBoD) commonly affects patients with spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injury among other neurologic insults. NBoD is a significant source of physical and psychosocial morbidity. Treating NBoD requires a diligent relationship between patient, caretaker, and provider in establishing and maintaining a successful bowel program. A well designed bowel program allows for regular, predictable bowel movements and prevents episodes of fecal incontinence. RECENT FINDINGS: Treatment options for NBoD span conservative lifestyle changes to fecal diversion depending on the nature of the dysfunction. Lifestyle changes and oral laxatives are effective for many patients. Patients requiring more advanced therapy progress to transanal irrigation devices and retrograde enemas. Those receiving enemas may opt for antegrade enema administration via a Malone antegrade continence enema or Chait cecostomy button, which are increasingly performed in a minimally invasive fashion. Select patients benefit from fecal diversion, which simplifies care in more severe cases. SUMMARY: Many medical and surgical options are available for patients with NBoD. Selecting the appropriate medical or surgical treatment involves a careful evaluation of each patient's physical, psychosocial, financial, and geographic variables in an effort to optimize bowel function.

Urodynamic Findings in Adults With Moderate to Severe Cerebral Palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine urodynamic studies (UDS) findings in adult cerebral palsy (CP) patients. CP patients may suffer from voiding dysfunction. UDS in children with CP has consistently shown an upper motor neuron bladder with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. METHODS: We included adult CP patients seen at Gillette Transitional Urology Clinic who underwent UDS for voiding dysfunction between 2011 and 2014. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize findings. RESULTS: There were 49/211 CP patients who underwent UDS. Average age was 30 years; 55% were men. Ninety-eight percent had moderate to severe CP. UDS was initiated for irritative symptoms in 55%, obstructive voiding symptoms in 25%, hydronephrosis in 18%, and other reasons in 2%. Incontinence was reported in 57%. Detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia was seen in 12%, detrusor overactivity in 30%, and detrusor leak point pressure (DLPP) >40 cmH2O in 51%. Median compliance was 18 mL/cmH2O (0.78-365). Maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) was 80-1400 mL and was <300 mL in 27%. Sixteen percent had an MCC <300 mL and a compliance <20 mL/cmH2O. Twelve percent had an MCC <300 mL and a DLPP >40 cmH2O. CONCLUSION: UDS findings in symptomatic adult CP patients are varied. Fifty-one percent had upper motor neuron bladder findings, similar to that seen in the pediatric literature, but 6% had large flaccid bladders. Half of the patients had concerning findings, such as compliance <20 or DLPP >40 cmH2O. Our results emphasize the need to thoroughly investigate voiding dysfunction in those with CP. Further characterization of this population is needed to correlate these UDS findings with clinical outcomes.