Voiding dysfunction in patients with spinal cord lesions at the thoracolumbar vertebral junction.

Overview

Neurogenic voiding dysfunction invariably follows a complete spinal cord lesion. With spinal shock urodynamic investigation will show an areflexic bladder if the sacral spinal cord has been damaged, otherwise, if the lesion involves the suprasacral cord, an overactive bladder will result. There are some exceptions to this rule, particularly in those with lesions of the thoracolumbar vertebral junction, where the sacral cord is located, it may be difficult to predict urodynamic dysfunction merely on the basis of the vertebral body involved. 46 patients with a complete SCI neurological lesion at the thoraco-lumbar vertebral junction underwent a neurourological evaluation including multi-channel urodynamic studies. Overall in 20 to 36% of the patients the urodynamic pattern was different from what one would have expected considering the anatomical level of the vertebral body involved. Urodynamic study is confirmed as an essential tool in the correct diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the voiding dysfunction in these type of patients.