UROLOGICAL DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH DIASTEMATOMYELIA

Little information exists concerning voiding dysfunction associated wi th diastematomyelia (splitting of the spinal cord). We present 27 pati ents 4 days to 62 years old (mean 13 years) who underwent neurosurgica l intervention for treatment of this disorder. Of these patients 14 ha d urological evaluation, with 11 having undergone video urodynamics. N ine patients had minimal urological manifestations. No patient had a u rodynamically proved hostile bladder nor evidence of upper urinary tra ct deterioration. In our experience, patients with a spinal cord fixat ion syndrome resulting from diastematomyelia not associated with a men ingomyelocele appear to have a relatively benign course in terms of th e urological manifestations. However, due to the lack of reports conce rning the urological findings in this occult dysraphic state, we still suggest upper and lower urinary tract evaluation and followup.