V. Mak et Sb. Radomski, VALUE OF MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF THE LUMBOSACRAL SPINAL-CORD INPATIENTS WITH VOIDING DYSFUNCTION, The Journal of urology, 156(4), 1996, pp. 1421-1423
Purpose: We evaluated the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of
the lumbosacral spinal cord in patients with voiding complaints and ab
normal urodynamic findings but normal neurological and lower spine exa
minations. Materials and Methods: We studied 17 women and 13 men 17 to
50 years old (mean age 32.2) who presented with voiding complaints. A
ll patients had a completely normal neurological examination and no ev
idence of prostatic enlargement.; Of the 30 patients 18 had incontinen
ce (17 urge, and 1 stress and urge), 9 frequency and urgency alone, an
d 3 urinary retention. Seven patients had persistent enuresis (2 prima
ry and 5 secondary). All 30 patients underwent multichannel urodynamic
s and MRI of the lower spinal cord. Results: On urodynamic testing, 25
patients had bladder instability, 3 a hypocontractile or weak detruso
r, 1 significantly decreased sensation only and 1 stress incontinence.
No patient had detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia or outflow obs
truction. Only 1 patient with frequency and urgency had a significant
finding on MRI (tethered cord) that required surgery. Conclusions: In
young adults who have voiding complaints and abnormal urodynamic findi
ngs, with normal neurological and lower spine examinations, the value
of MRI of the lumbosacral spine is limited.