Treatment and follow-up of vesico-ureteral reflux in patients with neuropathic bladder.

ABSTRACT

Vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) is a relatively frequent and severe complication in neuropathic bladder, therefore it must be ruled out in every case, and prevented whenever possible. The Spina Bifida Center of our Institute is presently following 220 patients with neuropathic bladder, who undergo a periodical clinical and instrumental evaluation. Urodynamics has proved essential in detecting risk factors for VUR small capacity bladders with reduced compliance, increased outlet resistance, and detrusor instability. Forty-eight cases of VUR, 38 of which were severe, were detected in a total of 166 patients reviewed for this paper. All patients with VUR were treated conservatively, attaining complete remission or improvement in 21 cases. Ten underwent surgical treatment owing to recurrent pyelonephritis or pyelo-renal reflux with severe dilatation, despite a standard pharmacological trial.