[Autonomic hyperreflexia induced by sacral root stimulation is detected by spectral analysis of the EEG]

Functional variability of sacral roots in bladder control

Object

Sacral roots are involved in sensory, autonomic, and motor innervation of the lower limbs and perineum. Theoretically, it can be assumed that the S-3 root level innervates the bladder; however, clinical practice shows that this distribution can vary. Few researchers have studied this variability.

Methods

The authors conducted a retrospective study involving 40 patients who underwent surgery requiring an electrophysiological exploration of the sacral roots. They performed stimulations for the monitoring of muscular (3 Hz, 1 V) and bladder responses under cystomanometry (30 Hz, 10 V).

Results

Although the S-3 roots were involved in bladder innervation in all cases, they were exclusively involved (i.e., the only nerve roots involved) in only 8 of 40 cases. In the remaining 32 cases, other sacral nerve roots were involved. The most common association was S-3+S-4 (12 cases), followed by S-2+S-3 (6 cases), S-2+S-3+S-4 (5 cases), and S-3+S-4+S-5 (2 cases). Stimulation of S-2 could sometimes induce bladder contraction (15 cases, 40%); however, the amplitude was often low. S-4 nerve roots were involved in 24 of 40 cases (60%) in the bladder motor function, whereas S-5 roots were only involved 7 times (17%). Occasionally, we noticed a horizontal asymmetry in the response, with a predominant response from the right side in 6 of 7 cases, always with a major S-3 response.

Conclusions

This is the first study showing a significant horizontal and vertical variability in the functional distribution of sacral roots in bladder innervation. These results show the variability of cauda equina syndromes and their forensic implications. These data should help with the monitoring of sacral roots and the performance of several tasks during surgery, including neurostimulation and neuromodulation.

Sacral neuromodulation in lower urinary tract dysfunction

Vesico-urethral dysfunction is a major problem in daily medical practice due to its psychological disturbances, its social costs and its high impact on quality of life. Recently, sacral neuromodulation, namely the electrical stimulation of the sacral nerves, appears to have become an alternative for radical bladder surgery particularly in cases of idiopathic bladder overactivity. The mechanism of action is only partially understood but it seems to involve a modulation in the spinal cord due to stimulation of inhibitory interneurons. Temporary sacral nerve stimulation is the first step. It comprises the temporary application of neuromodulation as a diagnostic test to determine the best location for the implant and to control the integrity of the sacral root. If test stimulation is successful, a permanent device is implanted. This procedure is safe in experienced hands. So-called idiopathic bladder overactivity still the major indication for this technique. Patients not likely to benefit from the procedure were those with complete or almost complete spinal lesions, but incomplete spinal lesions seemed to be a potential indication. This technique is now also indicated in the case of idiopathic chronic retention and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. When selection is performed, more than three-quarters of the patients showed a clinically significant response with 50% or more reduction in the frequency of incontinent episodes, but the results vary according to the author's mode of evaluation. From the economic point of view, the initial investment in the device is amortized in the mid-term by savings related to lower urinary tract dysfunction. Finally, this technique requires an attentive follow-up and adjustments to the electric parameters so as to optimize the equilibrium between the neurological systems.

[Spectral analysis of the ECG R-R interval permits early detection of vagal responses to neurosurgical stimuli]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of ECG spectral analysis, compared with heart rate (HR) monitoring in the detection of vagal response to surgical stimuli.

METHODS

Twenty Asa II-III patients (age: 65 +/- 13 years) scheduled for surgery of cerebellopontine angle or implantation of sacral root stimulator were examined. Target controlled infusion of propofol (2-4 microg x ml(-1)) and remifentanil (4 ng x ml(-1)) was guided by the bispectral index (Bis). Arterial pressure via a radial catheter, pulse oximetry and end tidal CO2 were continuously monitored. Spectral analysis was achieved by connecting a computer to the cardiorespiratory monitor. Online power spectrum densities were calculated from the ECG R-R interval by software based on the fast Fourier transform (LabView, National Instruments, USA). Low frequency (LF: 0.04-0.15Hz) and high frequency (HF: 0.15-0.4Hz) were associated with sympathetic and parasympathetic activities respectively. We defined vagal reaction as a decrease in FC or an increase in HF >10% of the prestimuli value. HF and FC were compared according to the detection delay (by a Student t test with p < 0.05 considered significant) and a concordance test with a kappa coefficient (kappa): -1 = total discordance to 1 = total concordance.

RESULTS

Twelve vagal reactions (observed in 8 patients) were detected within 5.5 +/- 1.3 s (HF) and 12.4 +/- 1.6 (FC); p < 0.001. Concordance between the 2 parameters was 95% (kappa =0.9).

CONCLUSION

The ECG spectral analysis is a non-invasive technique, which permits the detection of intra-operative vagal reactions earlier than conventional monitoring of HR.