neurogenic bladder

Neurogenic bladder is a term applied to a dysfunctional urinary bladder that results from an injury to the central or peripheral nerves that control and regulate urination. Injury to the brain, brainstem, spinal cord or peripheral nerves from various causes including infection, trauma, malignancy or vascular insult can result in a dysfunctional bladder .

Epidemiology

In a large cohort study, the mean age of neurogenic bladder patients was 62.5 years and resultant etiologies included :

Clinical Presentation

Depending on the location of the injury in the nervous system, patients typically present with increased frequency, nocturia, urinary incontinence/urgency, urinary tract infection and urinary retention. The bladder may be hyperreflexic, hyporeflexic or areflexic with impaired to no sensation .

Classification

A number of classification schemes exist for neurogenic bladders, including the Lapides classification which remains popular.

  • sensory neurogenic bladder: posterior columns of the spinal cord or afferent tracts leading from the bladder
  • motor paralytic bladder: damage to motor neurons of the bladder
  • uninhibited neurogenic bladder: incomplete spinal cord lesions above S2 or cerebral cortex or cerebropontine axis lesions
  • reflex neurogenic bladder: complete spinal cord lesions above S2 - may lead to pine cone bladder
  • autonomous neurogenic bladder: conus or cauda equina lesions
  • Radiographic features

    Generally a markedly contracted or distended bladder.

    Fluoroscopy/IVP
    Sensory neurogenic bladder

    Inability to sense bladder fullness results in a large rounded and smooth bladder. Voiding is often preserved.

    Motor paralytic bladder

    Atonic large bladder with the inability of detrusor contraction during voiding.

    Uninhibited neurogenic bladder

    Rounded bladder with a trabeculated appearance to the mucosa above the trigone from detrusor contractions. On voiding large interureteric ridge is noted

    Reflex neurogenic bladder

    Results from detrusor hyperreflexia with a dyssynergic sphincter. This leads to contrast extension to the posterior urethra and an elongated pointed urthera with pseudodiverticula.

    Autonomous neurogenic bladder

    Intermediate between detrusor hyperreflexia (contracted) and dysreflexia (atonic).

    Ultrasound

    Detailed images of the bladder often demonstrate a thick wall with a small contracted or large atonic bladder. A large post-void residual is often noted.

    Treatment and prognosis

    Depending on the etiology, various techniques can be employed to maintain renal function and prevent urinary tract infections. Self-catheterization, medication or surgical interventions including cystoplasty or sphincterotomy can be employed.

    Differential diagnosis

    Imaging differential considerations include:

    See also

    Siehe auch:
    und weiter: