Bladder function in patients with myotonic dystrophy

Ten patients with a clinically and neurophysiologically established diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy underwent urodynamic evaluation of the lower urinary tract. Eighty percent of the patients had urinary complaints by history, but we were not able to identify a homogeneous bladder dysfunction pattern by voiding and incontinence chart, flowmetry, cystometry, or sphincter electromyography. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Cranial magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis — indicated only in exceptional cases?

Clinical examination, spinal fluid laboratory data, evoked potentials (EP), cranial computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were compared for their value in diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) in 51 patients aged 18–60 yrs.MRI was superior to CT imaging: supratentorial lesions were found in 90% of the patients with confirmed MS. These lesions are not specific, however, as vascular processes, vitamin B₁₂ deficiency or chronic encephalitis, can show similar MRI-patterns. The detection of infratentorial lesions in symptomatic patients was poor (8% compared to 64% pathological EP-findings). Thirty-eight patients (= 75%) could be classified correctly as confirmed MS according toBauer-criteria without any CT or MR imaging. In the remaining 13 patients presenting classificatory problems due to normal CSF, first manifestation or possible alternate processes, MRI helped for the final diagnosis in only 6 cases.The value of MRI in diagnosing MS seems to lie in its superiority to CT in excluding other pathological processes or for research rather than in its value for the confirmation of the diagnosis. In a minority of cases, it can detect supratentorial lesions in patients with pure spinal symptoms, normal CSF, or first manifestations.     

Computed tomography in cases of multiple sclerosis: Problems of differential diagnosis in cases with atypical findings

The value of computed tomography in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is undisputed. The examination is usually carried out as a routine part of the examination program.We report on the CT results of 112 patients with confirmed or suspected MS. Seventy-three patients were examined without, 39 with intravenous administration of a contrast medium. In 41% of the patients, isolated or multiple hypodense foci were found as a manifestation of a multilocular demyelinization process. In 17.8%, only cerebro-at-rophic changes were encountered. In 30.3% of the cases the CT showed normal results. In the group of patients examined with a contrast medium, a pathological contrast medium concentration was found in 30.7%.The differential diagnostic demarcation against other diseases of the CNS with similar CT findings and problems of differential diagnosis with MRI are discussed.     

Clinical usefulness of urodynamic assessment for maintenance of bladder function in patients with spinal cord injury

AIMS: The vast majority of spinal cord lesions cause neurogenic bladder disorders. Detrusor hyperreflexia presents a major risk factor for renal damage in these patients. We evaluated the long-term results of patients with spinal cord injury treated at our institution. METHODS: Eighty spinal cord injury patients (60 male, 20 female; mean age 29.6 years) with at least one follow-up visit a year for a minimum of five consecutive years, were included in this retrospective analysis. Follow-up included urodynamic evaluation, sonography of the upper and lower urinary tract, urine examination, and evaluation of renal function. Treatment modifications were based on the urodynamic findings. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 67.3 months (range 60-103 months). At initial presentation, 51 patients performed intermittent catheterization, 7 had indwelling catheters, 10 utilized reflex voiding, 2 patients presented with a Brindley stimulator, 10 patients used abdominal straining. At the end of our study, no patient had signs of renal damage. To achieve that goal, 8 patients underwent sphincterotomy, 3 received a Brindley stimulator, 3 underwent bladder augmentation, one Kock pouch was performed, and 12 patients were treated with botulinum-A-toxin injections in the detrusor. Twenty-two patients received intravesical anticholinergic therapy. In merely three patients, treatment was not modified during the entire follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In the long term, treatment strategy of neurogenic bladder dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury had to be modified in almost all patients. 18.8% underwent surgery. For protection of the upper urinary tract and maintenance of continence, regular urodynamic follow-up is warranted.     

An attempt to quantify magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis — correlation with clinical parameters

The diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in multiple sclerosis (MS) is uncontested. But only little information exists on its usefullness in monitoring disease activity. We describe a method of quantification that can be performed in longitudinal MRI-investigations. We used a standardized method of scanning and determined the area of demyelinating lesions with an interactive planimetric computer system. In order to determine the approximate lesion volumes, the computed area was multiplied by the slice thickness. In 89 patients with clinically definite MS we found an average lesion volume of 11900 mm³. The mean score in Kurtzke's expanded disability scale was 3.0. The correlation between computed lesion volume and neurological deficit was significant, but only weak (rho = 0.3). We conclude, that planimetric evaluation of MRI can be a valuable supplement to clinical rating scales in MS patients. The method described here, used in combination with high spacial resolution and better tissue specificity of latest generation MRI scanners, could be helpful in the evaluation of treatment in many other CNS diseases.