Urologic Complications of the Neurogenic Bladder

Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) in patients with spinal cord injury: long-term urodynamic findings

OBJECTIVES

To investigate long-term urodynamic findings in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A consecutive series of 246 patients with SCI (≥5 years since injury) and NLUTD were prospectively evaluated at a single university SCI centre. Data of the latest and earliest available urodynamic investigation were compared.

RESULTS

Most of the patients had a thoracic SCI and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale of A. The mean (sd) duration of SCI to the latest available urodynamic investigation was 17 (10) years and the mean patient age was 51 (14) years. At the earliest and latest available urodynamic investigation, more than half of the patients relied on intermittent self-catheterisation. During the course of disease, there was a relevant increase of patients undergoing onabotulinumtoxinA injections into the detrusor from 12% to 33%. Urodynamic findings at the earliest and latest available urodynamic investigation were within the safe limits and there were significant differences between both groups for maximum cystometric capacity (P < 0.001), compliance (P < 0.001) and maximum detrusor pressure during storage phase (P = 0.008). Vesico-uretero-renal reflux was detected in ≈5% and it was generally low grade.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of our regularly followed patients with NLUTD due to SCI for a mean of 17 years had urodynamic findings within the safe limits. Vesico-uretero-renal reflux was quite rare and generally low grade. Thus, regular follow-up with urodynamic investigation allowing for a patient-tailored management seems beneficial warranting randomised controlled longitudinal studies.

Flexible ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy for upper urinary tract stone disease in patients with spinal cord injury

The objective of this study is to present the outcomes of flexible ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy (URS) for upper urinary tract stone disease in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients performed by a single surgeon. A retrospective analysis was performed for SCI patients treated with flexible URS for proximal ureter and kidney stone disease by a single surgeon between 2003 and 2013. Patient characteristics, operative outcomes, metabolic evaluation, and stone analyses were assessed in detail. A total of 27 URS procedures were performed for urolithiasis in 21 renal units of 19 patients. The mean age was 52.1 ± 15.6 years (16-72) and mean BMI was 29.2 ± 7.3 kg/m(2) (20-45.7). Etiology of SCI was trauma (n: 10), multiple sclerosis (n: 6), cerebrovascular accident (n: 1), or undetermined (n: 2). The mean stone size was 15.9 ± 8.6 (6-40) mm. In the 27 URS procedures, stones were located in the ureter (n: 5), the kidney (n: 14), and both areas (n: 8). Mean hospitalization time was 2.0 ± 2.4 (0-10) days. Postoperative complications were observed in 6 cases (22.2%). Three major complications included urosepsis (n: 1) and respiratory failure (n: 2), that were observed postoperatively and required admission to the intensive care unit. The 2 minor complications were hypotension, fever and UTI, and required medical treatment. Fourteen (66.6%) of the 21 renal units were stone free. Calcium phosphate carbonate (n: 9) and struvite (n: 5) were the primary stone compositions detected. Hypocitraturia (n: 6), hypercalciuria (n: 5), hypernaturia (n: 5), hyperoxaluria (n: 4), and hyperuricosuria (n: 1) were common abnormalities in 24-h urine analysis. Ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy can be an effective treatment modality for SCI patients with upper urinary tract calculi.

Mobility, continence, and life expectancy in persons with Asia Impairment Scale Grade D spinal cord injuries

OBJECTIVE

Previous research on the life expectancy of persons with American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale Grade D spinal cord injury has considered them as a large homogenous group, making no functional or medical distinctions. This study sought to (1) determine how survival in this group depends on ambulatory function and the extent of bowel or bladder dysfunction, (2) compute life expectancies for various subgroups, and (3) examine whether survival has improved over time.

DESIGN

Data were from 8,206 adults with ASIA Impairment Scale Grade D spinal cord injury in the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems database who were not ventilator dependent and who survived more than 1 yr after injury. There were a total of 114,739 person-years of follow-up and 1,730 deaths during the 1970-2011 study period. Empirical age- and sex-specific mortality rates were computed. Regression analysis of survival data with time-dependent covariates was used to determine the effect of risk factors, to test for a time trend, and to estimate mortality rates for subgroups. Life expectancies were obtained from life tables constructed for each subgroup.

RESULTS

The ability to walk, whether independently or with an assistive device, was associated with longer survival than wheelchair dependence. The need for an indwelling catheter, and to a lesser extent intermittent catheterization, was associated with increased mortality risk. Persons who walked unaided and who did not require catheterization had life expectancies roughly 90% of normal. Those who required a wheelchair for locomotion had life expectancies comparable with that in paraplegia, less than 75% of normal. No time trend in survival was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Life expectancy of persons with ASIA Impairment Scale D spinal cord injury depends strongly on the ability to walk and the need for catheterization.

Detrusor underactivity: Pathophysiological considerations, models and proposals for future research. ICI-RS 2013

AIMS

Detrusor underactivity, resulting in either prolonged or inefficient voiding, is a common clinical problem for which treatment options are currently limited. The aim of this report is to summarize current understanding of the clinical observation and its underlying pathophysiological entities.

METHODS

This report results from presentations and subsequent discussion at the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society (ICI-RS) in Bristol, 2013.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The recommendations made by the ICI-RS panel include: Development of study tools based on a system's pathophysiological approach, correlation of in vitro and in vivo data in experimental animals and humans, and development of more comprehensive translational animal models. In addition, there is a need for longitudinal patient data to define risk groups and for the development of screening tools. In the near-future these recommendations should lead to a better understanding of detrusor underactivity and its pathophysiological background. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:591-596, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Bladder stones in patients with spinal cord injury: a long-term study

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the occurrence of bladder stones in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

SETTING

Single SCI rehabilitation center in Switzerland.

METHODS

We searched our database for SCI patients who had undergone surgery due to bladder stones between 2004 and 2012. In all patients retrieved, personal characteristics, bladder management, bladder stone occurrence and time to stone formation/recurrence were recorded.

RESULTS

We identified 93 (3.3%) of 2825 patients with bladder stones, 24 women and 69 men, with a mean age 50 years (17-83) years. We observed bladder stones in patients with suprapubic catheter (SPC) in 11% (50/453), transurethral catheter (TC) in 6.6% (5/75), with intermittent catheterization (IC) in 2% (27/1315) and with reflex micturition (RM) in 1.1% (11/982), respectively. The mean time period to stone development was 95 months. The TC group had the shortest time interval (31 months), followed by the SPC group (59 months), individuals performing IC (116 months) and RM (211 months), respectively. Bladder stone recurrence rate was 23%. Recurrences were most frequent in the TC group (40%), followed by SPC (28%) and IC (22%), whereas no recurrences occurred in the RM group. Time to recurrence was shortest in the SPC group (14 months), followed by the IC (26 months) and the TC group (31 months), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In SCI patients, bladder management has an important role in the development of bladder stones. Indwelling catheters (TC/SPC) are associated with the highest risk to develop bladder stones and therefore should be avoided if possible. If unavoidable, SPC are superior to TC.

Management of urological dysfunction in pediatric patients with spinal dysraphism: review of the literature

An intact, fully functional spine is the result of a complex sequence of embryological events involving both nervous and musculoskeletal system precursors. Deviations from this highly ordered system can result in congenital abnormalities ranging from clinically insignificant cosmetic changes to CNS malformations that are incompatible with life. Closure of the neural tube, which is believed to be the embryological event gone awry in these cases, is complete by just 28 days' gestation, often before pregnancy is detected. Although progress has been made to help prevent neural tube defects in the children of those attempting to conceive, these congenital deformities unfortunately continue to affect a startling number of infants worldwide each year. Furthermore, the precise mechanisms governing closure of the neural tube and how they might be interrupted remain elusive. What is known is that there are a large number of individuals who must deal with congenital spine dysraphism and the clinical sequelae on a daily basis. Bladder and urinary dysfunction are frequently encountered, and urological care is a critical, often neglected, component in the lifelong multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Although many treatment strategies have been devised, a need remains for evidence-based interventions, analysis of quality of life, and preemptive education of both caregivers and patients as they grow older. Pediatric neurosurgeons in particular have the unique opportunity to address these issues, often in the first few days of life and throughout pre- and postoperative evaluation. With proper management instituted at birth, many patients could potentially delay or avoid the potential urological complications resulting from congenital neurogenic bladder.

Acute spinal cord injury--do ambulatory patients need urodynamic investigations?

PURPOSE

We compared the urodynamic parameters of ambulatory vs nonambulatory acute spinal cord injured patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 27 women and 33 men (mean age 58 years) with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction due to acute spinal cord injury (duration of injury less than 40 days) were prospectively evaluated. The patients were dichotomized according to the mobility for moderate distances subscale of the SCIM (Spinal Cord Independence Measure) version III into ambulatory (score of 3 or greater) and nonambulatory (score less than 3). Videourodynamic parameters including maximum detrusor pressure during the storage phase, bladder compliance, detrusor overactivity, detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia and vesicoureterorenal reflux were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

Of the 60 patients with acute spinal cord injury 17 were ambulatory and 43 were nonambulatory. Mean ± SD duration of injury at urodynamic investigation was 30 ± 8 days. The lesion level was cervical in 14 patients, thoracic in 28 and lumbar/sacral in 18. Comparing unfavorable urodynamic parameters, no significant differences were found between ambulatory vs nonambulatory patients in terms of a high pressure system during the storage phase (29% vs 33%, p = 0.81), a low compliance bladder (12% vs 7%, p = 0.54), detrusor overactivity (24% vs 47%, p = 0.1), detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia (18% vs 21%, p = 0.77) and vesicoureterorenal reflux (0% vs 5%, p = 0.36).

CONCLUSIONS

Ambulatory and nonambulatory patients with acute spinal cord injury have a similar risk of unfavorable urodynamic measures. Thus, we strongly recommend the same neurourological assessment including urodynamic investigations in all acute spinal cord injury patients independent of the ability to walk.

Management of lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients with neurological disorders

The proper performance of the lower urinary tract is dependent on an intact neural innervation of the individual structures involved. Therefore, any congenital neurological anomalies, diseases, or lesions of the central, peripheral, or autonomic nervous systems can result in lower urinary tract symptoms. Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) secondary to neurological disorders can significantly reduce quality of life (QoL) and may also give rise to serious complications and psychological and social sequelae. The goals of management of LUTD in patients with neurological disorders are to prevent serious complications and to improve the patient's QoL. Understanding the physiology and pathophysiology of micturition is critical to selecting appropriate treatment options. This article provides an overview of the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and management of LUTD in patients with certain central and peripheral neuropathies and common lesions.

Urolithiasis and the risk of ESRD

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The contribution of urolithiasis, if any, to the development of ESRD is unclear.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

All stone formers in Olmsted County, Minnesota, first diagnosed between 1984 and 2008 were identified by diagnostic codes with up to four controls matched on age and sex. Charts were reviewed to validate symptomatic stone formers in a random subset. Incident ESRD events were identified by the US Renal Data System.

RESULTS

Altogether, 51 stone formers and 75 controls developed ESRD among 6926 stone formers and 24,620 matched controls followed for a mean of 9 years. Stone formers had an increased risk of ESRD after adjusting for diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, gout, and CKD (hazard ratio: 2.09; 95% confidence interval: 1.45-3.01). This increased risk of ESRD remained in the subset of 2457 validated symptomatic stone formers (hazard ratio: 1.95; 95% confidence interval: 1.09-3.49). The attributable risk of ESRD from symptomatic urolithiasis was 5.1% based on a prevalence of 5.4% for stone formers. For stone formers versus controls who developed ESRD, there was an increased likelihood of past hydronephrosis (44% versus 4%), recurrent urinary tract infections (26% versus 4%), acquired single kidney (15% versus 3%), neurogenic bladder (12% versus 1%), and ileal conduit (9% versus 0%), but not diabetes (32% versus 49%) or hypertension (44% versus 52%).

CONCLUSIONS

Symptomatic stone formers are at increased risk for ESRD independent of several cardiovascular risk factors. Other urological disease is relatively common among stone formers who develop ESRD.

Population based assessment of enterocystoplasty complications in adults

PURPOSE

Enterocystoplasty can be used to treat several types of bladder dysfunction. We conducted a population based study to identify the rate and significant predictors of urological surgery after adult enterocystoplasty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective, population based cohort was assembled using administrative data records, and adults who underwent enterocystoplasty between 1993 and 2009 were included in the analysis. Administrative data sources were used to measure primary exposure (neurogenic bladder and concurrent catheterizable channel or anti-incontinence procedure) and primary outcome (urological surgical procedures after enterocystoplasty). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used (covariates of age, gender, Charlson score and socioeconomic status).

RESULTS

We identified 243 patients, of whom 61% had a neurogenic bladder, 20% had a simultaneous incontinence procedure and 18% underwent creation of a catheterizable channel. Median followup was 7.8 years (IQR 4.0-12.2). The proportion of patients who required a subsequent urological procedure was 40% (0.098 procedures per person-year of followup). A simultaneous incontinence procedure at enterocystoplasty was a significant predictor of future surgical procedures (HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.02-2.12, p = 0.0414). Cystolitholapaxy was the most common subsequent procedure (25% of patients) and a catheterizable channel conferred a significant risk of cystolitholapaxy (HR 2.92, 95% CI 1.461-5.85, p = 0.0024).

CONCLUSIONS

Repeat urological surgery is common after enterocystoplasty. Patients who require a simultaneous incontinence procedure at enterocystoplasty are more likely to require future surgery. Patients with catheterizable channels are at significant risk for future cystolitholapaxy.

A case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from a suprapubic cystostomy tract

BACKGROUND

Patients with spinal cord injury and a chronic indwelling urinary catheter are known to have an increased risk of bladder malignancy. However, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the epidermis around a suprapubic cystostomy is relatively rare. Here, we report a case of lower abdominal SCC arising from the suprapubic cystostomy tract.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 58-year-old man with a complete spinal cord injury was referred to our hospital with a chief complaint of an abdominal mass. Abdominal enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a 7-cm mass surrounding the suprapubic cystostomy and bilateral inguinal and para-aortic lymph nodes metastasis. Histopathological examination of percutaneous biopsy specimens was performed. The diagnosis was stage IV (cT4N1M1) epidermal SCC, which was treated with palliative external radiation therapy.

CONCLUSION

The SCC in this case was thought to arise from mechanical stimulus of the suprapubic cystostomy. Physicians and patients should pay careful attention to any signs of neoplasms with long-term indwelling catheters, such as skin changes around the suprapubic cystostomy site. This case presentation is only the fourth report of SCC arising from the suprapubic cystostomy tract in the literature. In cases of unresectable tumors and contraindications to chemotherapy, palliative radiotherapy may lead to disease remission and symptom relief.