RENAL AND BLADDER FUNCTIONS IN PATIENTS AFTER SPINAL-CORD INJURIES

Thirty-eight patients with spinal cord lesions, 22 recent and 16 susta ined more than three years previously, were investigated with intraven ous pyelography, chrome EDTA clearance, cystoscopy and urodynamic stud ies. Analyses of bladder biopsies for tissue concentrations of nor-adr enaline and occurrence of acetylcholinesterase staining of nerves were also performed. Despite high incidence of fairly mild infections and trabeculation of the bladder, renal function was normal in most patien ts. Apart from incontinence, stone formation and recurrent urinary tra ct infections were the most common complications. The concentrations o f noradrenaline and the numbers of acetylcholinesterase-stained nerves in bladder tissue specimens did not differ from control findings. The organization of the nerve structures did not vary with time after the injury, suggesting unchanged adrenergic and cholinergic innervation.