UNASSIGNED: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the indications and additional information provided by videourodynamic study (VUDS) over urodynamic studies (UDS) in men with spinal cord injury (SCI) and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). The secondary aim was to determine the added value of VUDS and its impact on bladder management.
UNASSIGNED: Single-centre retrospective study of all men with SCI who underwent VUDS between 2011 and 2021. Participant characteristics, clinical data and indications for UDS and VUDS as well as bladder management were recorded. The added value of VUDS was defined as additional information not provided by standard UDS that impacted on bladder management (choice of voiding mode, surgical indication or type of surgery).
UNASSIGNED: Eighty-eight men with a median age of 52 years were included. In 20 men who were unable to perform self-catheterisation, the VUDS clarified the nature and extent of the obstruction and enabled targeted surgery to achieve reflex bladder emptying in all of them. VUDS also clarified the type and level of obstruction in 28 patients, enabling targeted surgery in 24. In 11 men, VUDS was performed as part of the preoperative assessment for a Brindley procedure or after this operation if a complication occurred during follow-up to confirm the need for further surgery or to target surgical revision. Overall, VUDS had added value in 59 patients (67%).
UNASSIGNED: VUDS had added value over UDS in specific situations; the additional information provided impacted on bladder management in men with SCI and NLUTD.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) in 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonist 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl-2-aminopropane hydrochloride\'s improvement of spinal cord injury (SCI) induced detrusor sphincter dyssynergia and the expressions of the 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT) 2A receptors and VGCCs in lumbosacral cord after SCI.
METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into normal control group and SCI group (N = 15 each). Cystometrogram (CMG), simultaneous CMG, and external urethral sphincter electromyography (EUS-EMG) were conducted in all groups under urethane anesthesia. Drugs were administered intrathecally during CMG and EUS-EMG. Rats were euthanized and L6-S1 spinal cord were acquired for immunofluorescence.
RESULTS: In SCI rats, intrathecal administration of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl-2-aminopropane hydrochloride or L-type VGCC blocker, nifedipine, could significantly increase voiding volume, voiding efficiency, and the number of high-frequency oscillations. They could also prolong EUS bursting activity duration on EUS-EMG. Moreover, the effect of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl-2-aminopropane hydrochloride can be eliminated with the combined administration of L-type VGCC agonist, (±)-Bay K 8644. No significant differences were observed in CMG after intrathecal administration of T-type VGCC blocker TTA-P2. Additionally, immunofluorescence of the lumbosacral cord in control and SCI rats showed that the 5-HT2A receptor and Cav1.2 immunolabeling-positive neurons in the anterior horn of the lumbosacral cord were increased in SCI rats.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that 5-HT2A/2C agonist 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl-2-aminopropane hydrochloride may improve SCI-induced DSD by inhibiting the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel in lumbosacral cord motoneurons.

Botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) injections into the external urethral sphincter are an established therapeutic procedure for reducing bladder outlet obstruction in patients with detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) due to spinal cord injury (SCI). Given the paucity of data on patients with DSD but without SCI, we aimed to assess the efficacy of intrasphincteric BoNT-A injections in this cohort. For this retrospective study, we screened all patients who underwent their first intrasphincteric BoNT-A injection at our institution between 2015 and 2021. The inclusion criteria were patients aged 18 years or older with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) and DSD with a maximum detrusor pressure (Pdetmax) of >40 cmH2O, confirmed via video-urodynamic studies (VUDS). The primary outcome was a reduction in Pdetmax and detrusor overactivity leak point pressure (DOLPP) during NDO-associated urinary incontinence posttreatment. The secondary outcome was a reduction in patients relying on indwelling urinary catheters posttreatment. We included 13 eligible patients (all male, median age 31 years, with different underlying neurological disorders, except SCI). All underwent intrasphincteric BoNT-A injections with either 100 (n = 7) or 150 (n = 6) units, respectively. Pdetmax during voiding was significantly reduced posttreatment (median 105 vs. 54 cmH2O, p = 0.006), whereas DOLPP remained unchanged (i.e., median 50 cmH2O). While seven patients relied on indwelling urinary catheters pre-treatment, all were catheter-free posttreatment. Intrasphincteric BoNT-A injections in patients with non-SCI related DSD appear feasible for reducing bladder outlet obstruction to a certain degree in this cohort and subsequently for reducing the rate of indwelling catheters.

OBJECTIVE: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) significantly affect quality of life (QoL) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and pharmacotherapy has limited efficacy. We investigated efficacy and safety of the implantable StimRouter neuromodulation system for treating refractory LUTS in MS.
METHODS: This prospective, single-center, clinical trial was conducted at the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Lugano, Switzerland, involving MS patients treated with self-administered percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation delivered by StimRouter over 24 weeks. Changes in video-urodynamic parameters as well as LUTS severity were measured by Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q), QoL using the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (MSQoL-54), and treatment satisfaction using a 1-10 visual analogue scale. Adverse events were also recorded.
RESULTS: Of 23 MS patients recruited, six had neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO), five had detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD), and 12 had both NDO and DSD. Of patients with NDO, median bladder volume at first uninhibited contraction significantly increased from baseline to week 24 (median = 136 mL, interquartile range [IQR] = 101-244 mL vs. 343 mL, IQR = 237-391 mL; β = 138.2, p = 0.001). No significant changes of urodynamic parameters were found in patients with DSD. OAB-q symptom scores progressively decreased, and OAB-q quality of life scores increased (β = -0.50, p < 0.001 and β = 0.47, p < 0.001, respectively), whereas MSQoL-54 scores did not significantly change (β = 0.24, p = 0.084) in the overall population. Treatment satisfaction was overall high (median = 8, IQR = 6-9). No serious adverse events were recorded.
CONCLUSIONS: StimRouter represents a minimally invasive, magnetic resonance imaging-compatible, self-administered neuromodulation device leading to objective and subjective improvements of OAB symptoms and related QoL in MS patients with refractory LUTS.

The aim of this retrospective exploratory study was to investigate the prevalence of unfavorable findings during video-urodynamic studies (VUDS) in patients with minimally conscious state (MCS)/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and whether management of the lower urinary tract (LUT) was adjusted accordingly. A retrospective chart review was conducted to screen for patients diagnosed with MCS/UWS at our rehabilitation center between 2011 and 2020. Patients 18 years or older were included and underwent baseline VUDS after being diagnosed with MCS/UWS. We analyzed urodynamic parameters and subsequent changes in LUT management in this cohort. In total, 32 patients (7 females, 25 males, median age 37 years) with MCS/UWS were included for analysis. While at least one unfavorable VUDS finding (i.e., neurogenic detrusor overactivity [NDO], detrusor sphincter dyssynergia {DSD, high maximum detrusor pressure during storage phase [>40 cmH2O], low-compliance bladder [<20 mL/cmH2O], and vesico-uretero-renal reflux [VUR]) was found in each patient, NDO (78.1%, 25/32) and DSD (68.8%, 22/32) were the two most frequent unfavorable VUDS findings. Following baseline VUDS, new LUT treatment options were established in 56.3% (18/32) of all patients. In addition, bladder-emptying methods were changed in 46.9% (15/32) of all patients, resulting in fewer patients relying on indwelling catheters. Our retrospective exploratory study revealed a high prevalence of NDO and DSD in patients with MCS/UWS, illustrating the importance of VUDS to adapt LUT management in this cohort accordingly.

Early B-cell factor 3 (EBF3) is a transcription factor involved in neuronal differentiation and maturation. Pathogenic variants are associated with hypotonia, ataxia, and delayed development syndrome (HADDS) (MIM#617330). Urologic manifestations are common and may have implications regarding long term renal function.
To review all known patients with pathogenic variants of the EBF3 gene resulting in HADDS with urologic manifestations. We hypothesize a high rate of bladder dysfunction secondary to the EBF3 variant\'s impact on relaxation of the urinary sphincter leading to detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD).
The PubMed database was queried for publications of the EBF3 mutation between January 2017 and January 2023. Search terms were \"EBF3 mutation OR HADDS AND urology OR phenotype\". Retrospective analysis of HADDS patients cared for in our institution was performed. Demographic and clinical information was collected.
We identified 52 patients (33F:19M) through literature (28F:18M) and retrospective review (5F:1M). There was a high prevalence of genitourinary physical exam abnormalities, history of urinary tract infection, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and diagnosis of neurogenic bladder. Within the literature review cohort, 67% had a urologic diagnosis. Females were disproportionately affected with urologic manifestations. In our cohort, four of six children were diagnosed with VUR and severe voiding dysfunction consistent with neurogenic bladder (67%). These children were managed with a vesicostomy. Five children had bowel dysfunction requiring therapy. Urodynamics suggested a high prevalence of external sphincter dyssynergia. Less severe forms of DSD were felt to be implicated in the abnormal voiding parameters in children who presented later in life based on non-invasive flow studies.
There is significant variability in the phenotypic presentation of patients with HADDS. While EBF3 plays a clear role in neurodevelopment, it also impacts muscle development and may impact muscle relaxation. The location of the genetic variant may impact the degree of DSD, with more severe forms leading to earlier presentations. Initial work-up should include a renal ultrasound (RUS) and post void residual (PVR). Consideration can be given to obtaining a VCUG, DMSA scan or urodynamic studies. Yearly screening should be pursued with an RUS and PVR in those with an initial unremarkable work-up given the variable timing and severity of presentation.
Urologic manifestations of HADDS include high rates of bladder dysfunction secondary to DSD, vesicoureteral reflux, urinary tract infection, and cryptorchidism. These patients are at risk of renal deterioration if urinary abnormalities are not properly diagnosed and managed.

In addition to the classical neurourological diseases multiple sclerosis and paraplegia/spina bifida, there are many and also widely spread diseases of the neurological spectrum that can result in significant dysfunctions of the urinary tract. Depending on the location (cerebral/suprapontine, spinal/suprasacral, spinal infrasacral and peripheral), different disorders can result (detrusor overactivity and underactivity, sphincter dyssynergia and low compliance). Changes can also occur over the course of an illness and thus make the analysis of the respective disorder even more difficult. Not all patients present directly to a neurourological center and in some cases the connection is not directly apparent. Firstly, this article focuses on the urological relevance of the respective neurological disease. Secondly, the basic neurourological information should support the initial assessment of the disorder.
UNASSIGNED: Neben den klassischen neurourologischen Erkrankungen multiple Sklerose und Querschnittlähmung/Spina bifida existieren viele und auch weit verbreitete Erkrankungen des neurologischen Spektrums, die erhebliche Harntraktfunktionsstörungen nach sich ziehen können. Je nach Lokalisation (zerebral/suprapontin, spinal/suprasakral, spinal infrasakral und peripher) können unterschiedliche Störungen (Detrusorüber-/unteraktivität, Detrusor-Sphinkter-Dyssynergie, „low compliance“) resultieren. Auch im zeitlichen Verlauf einer Erkrankung können Änderungen eintreten und so die Analyse der jeweiligen Störung weiter erschweren. Nicht alle Patienten werden direkt in einem neurourologischen Zentrum vorgestellt, teilweise ist der Zusammenhang auch nicht direkt ersichtlich. Mit diesem Artikel soll der Fokus zum einen auf die urologische Relevanz der jeweiligen neurologischen Erkrankung gelegt werden. Zum anderen sollen neurourologische Basisinformationen bei der ersten Einschätzung der Störung unterstützen.

Tibial somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) are used to identify the neurological status and tethered cord (TC) in patients with spina bifida (SB). Its significance in contributing to the interpretation of urodynamics to determine bladder status is unknown. This study aimed to determine the correlation between SEP and urodynamics in children with SB.
SEP and urodynamic results, for differential diagnosis of TC, were evaluated. SEP scores were correlated with urodynamic findings. SEP results were scored from 1 to 6, with 1, denoting a favorable score and 6, an unfavorable score. Age, gender, detrusor, and sphincter activities in urodynamics were noted. Results were analyzed using the χ2 test and logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was formed to get a valid threshold for the SEP score to predict the urodynamic condition.
There were 44 SB patients for whom SEP was done for differential diagnosis of TC. Fifteen patients who did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded from the study. SB aperta was present in 17 patients and occulta in 12, respectively. The patients had a mean age of 6.6 ± 3.2 years. There were 13 boys and 16 girls. A strong correlation was found between high SEP scores and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (p < 0.001). A SEP score over 3.5 was found to be 93% sensitive and 73% specific to predict this correlation. There was no relationship between detrusor activity and SEP scores (p = 0.18).
Tibial SEP is an important noninvasive adjunct tool for the diagnosis of TC in patients with SB. Urodynamic studies are the gold standard in the evaluation of bladder status in neurogenic bladder dysfunction due to SB. Detrusor sphincter dyssynergia may be regarded as a sign of severe spinal cord injury in these patients.
Our findings suggest that in children with neurogenic bladder, high SEP scores may predict the presence of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia but not the status of detrusor function while providing pathophysiological evidence for neural injury.

Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) is a severe lower urinary tract disorder, characterized by urinary urgency, retention, and incontinence, as a result of a neurologic lesion that results in damage in neuronal pathways controlling micturition. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive framework of the currently used animal models for the investigation of this disorder, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of NDO. An electronic search was performed with PubMed and Scopus for literature describing animal models of NDO used in the last 10 years. The search retrieved 648 articles, of which reviews and non-original articles were excluded. After careful selection, 51 studies were included for analysis. Spinal cord injury (SCI) was the most frequently used model to study NDO, followed by animal models of neurodegenerative disorders, meningomyelocele, and stroke. Rats were the most commonly used animal, particularly females. Most studies evaluated bladder function through urodynamic methods, with awake cystometry being particularly preferred. Several molecular mechanisms have been identified, including changes in inflammatory processes, regulation of cell survival, and neuronal receptors. In the NDO bladder, inflammatory markers, apoptosis-related factors, and ischemia- and fibrosis-related molecules were found to be upregulated. Purinergic, cholinergic, and adrenergic receptors were downregulated, as most neuronal markers. In neuronal tissue, neurotrophic factors, apoptosis-related factors, and ischemia-associated molecules are increased, as well as markers of microglial and astrocytes at lesion sites. Animal models of NDO have been crucial for understanding the pathophysiology of lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction. Despite the heterogeneity of animal models for NDO onset, most studies rely on traumatic SCI models rather than other NDO-driven pathologies, which may result in some issues when translating pre-clinical observations to clinical settings other than SCI.

The aim of the study is to compare the intra- and inter-observer interpretations of the same uroflowmetry study at two different times.
Two-hundred children with a voided volume of 50% above the expected bladder capacity were included. All traces were asked to be evaluated by 11 observers two times in a time span of 1 month. These observers consist of pediatric urologists (n = 2), pediatric urology fellows (n = 2), urology residents (n = 5), and certified urodynamics nurses (n = 2). Each uroflowmetry was asked to be assessed for three domains: voided volume (VV), detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD), and flow curve pattern (FCP).
Of the 200 patients with a median age of 10 (4-18) years, 128 (64%) were girls and 72 (36%) boys. The maximum flow rate and the median voided volume were found to be 20 (4-61) mL/s and 232 (116-781) mL. The Fleiss\' kappa coefficient of VV, DSD, and FCP in the first assessment was 0.510, 0.501, and 0.346. In the second assessment, κ values were 0.530, 0.422, and 0.373. The best-agreed findings were similar at both times. These were found to be low VV (0.602 and 0.626) and intermittent pattern (0.500 and 0.553). Interpreters were found to have a statistically significant difference in agreement with their own interpretation at different times.
Both inter- and intra-observer reliability of the agreement point out the problem in the standardization of uroflowmetry. Inter- and intra-observer reliability of uroflowmetry interpretation can be increased by defining precise numbers and numerical algorithms.