Prognosis of conservative therapy of advanced interstitial cystitis: Experience of five cases

BACKGROUND: It is generally believed that surgical procedures, particularly the more invasive ones, should be reserved for patients who fail to respond to conservative therapy by several established modalities. We studied whether conservative therapy was applicable to patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) in which an individual's awake bladder capacity decreases to 100 mL or less with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). METHODS: Five cases that satisfied the criteria proposed by the National Institutes of Health were examined. The maximum awake bladder capacity was 50-100 mL (average, 74 mL). The bladder capacity under anesthesia was 70-300 mL (average, 199 mL). Only conservative treatments were carried out. RESULTS: The observation period ranged from 3 to 16 years with an average of 9 years. The awake bladder capacity ranged from 200 to 300 mL (average, 250 mL). The symptom index total score, which was previously 18.5, decreased to 5.5 and the problem index total score, which was previously 14.3, decreased to 3.5. Symptoms of bladder irritation improved. In four cases, VUR disappeared as the bladder capacity increased. Vesicoureteral reflux persisted in one case although its severity decreased and there was no fever. CONCLUSION: The patients treated with conservative therapy were able to maintain an awake bladder capacity that was sufficient for acceptable quality of life and their symptoms of bladder irritation improved. This suggests that we should regenerate the original remaining bladder using conservative therapy, even if IC is in a late stage.     

Detection and Quantification of Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (slCAM-1) in the Serum and Urine of Patients with Bladder Cancer

Background : A possible role for intercellular adhesion molecules in tumor progression and metastasis has been strongly suggested. To investigate the effect of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (slCAM-1) on bladder cancer, slCAM-1 serum and urinary concentrations were measured in patients with superficial or invasive bladder cancer and in patients with prostatic hypertrophy.
Methods : Serum and urine samples were obtained from 26 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (mean age, 66.8 years) and 14 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH; mean age, 70.5 years). Fifteen healthy volunteers served as control patients. Samples were collected before surgery and 5 days after surgery. The serum and urinary slCAM-1 levels were measured by an ELISA.
Results : The preoperative serum concentration of slCAM-1 was significantly higher in patients with invasive bladder cancer (351.8 ±158.0 ng/mL)than in the healthy controls (233.1 ±96.1 ng/mL; P<0.05) or BPH patients (224.7 ± 80.5 ng/mL; P< 0.05). In addition, serum slCAM-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with tumors greater than 3 cm in size (412.7 ± 147.6 ng/mL) than in patients with smaller tumors (246.6 ± 101.2 ng/mL; P<0.05). Urinary slCAM-1 levels in patients with invasive bladder cancer were also significantly higher than in the patients with superficial cancer prior to surgery.
Conclusion : Our results suggested that slCAM-1 may play an important role in the progression of bladder cancer, and that elevated serum slCAM-1 levels may be related to tumor size.     

Bladder filling by autologous urine production during cystometry: a urodynamic pitfall!

AIMS: The rate of autologous urine production should not have a major disturbing influence on cystometric urodynamic parameters such as first filling sensation, normal desire to void, strong desire to void, and cystometric bladder capacity. Instructions to patients and drinking behavior can have considerable impact, especially if filling cystometry is preceded by free uroflowmetry. We studied the influence of autologous urine production during filling cystometry on total bladder volume. METHODS: Urodynamic investigations performed between September of 2000 and February of 2001 were analyzed. Only those urodynamic investigations for which total bladder capacity could be calculated were taken into account (i.e., catheterization before and after cystometry and no urine loss during the investigations). RESULTS: After screening, 186 investigations were used for further analysis. Mean filled volume (external infusion plus autologous urine production) was 346 +/- 152 mL, but mean real bladder capacity (i.e., voided volume + residual urine) was 391 +/- 170 mL. In all patients, 14% extra urine was produced due to autologous urine production (mean filling rate, 6.1 mL/min). In 42% of the investigations, the real bladder capacity was more than 110% of the infused volume. In 18% of the patients, the contribution of natural bladder filling was more than 25% of the infused volume. CONCLUSIONS: Natural bladder filling plays a substantial role during filling cystometry and has a disturbing influence on calculated urodynamic parameters. Attention should be paid to patient instructions before the urodynamic investigation. The combination of free uroflowmetry followed by filling cystometry should be avoided. This avoidance is especially important if interventional studies are performed. Careful interpretation of studies depending on bladder capacity parameters is mandatory, and such parameters should be corrected for autologous bladder filling.     

Non-invasive measurement of bladder volume as an indication for bladder catheterization after orthopaedic surgery and its effect on urinary tract infections.

A non-invasive ultrasound imaging technique (BladderScan) was used prospectively in an attempt to reduce the need for catheterization of the urinary bladder and the incidence of urinary tract infections after orthopaedic surgery. Over a 4-month period, in which 1920 patients were included, catheterization was performed if there was no spontaneous diuresis by 8 h after surgery. A total of 31% of these patients were catheterized, and 18 patients developed urinary tract infections. In a subsequent 4-month period, there were 2196 patients, catheterization was performed only if the bladder volume was more than 800 mL 8 h after surgery. The rate of catheterization decreased to 16%, and five patients developed urinary tract infections. In our patients, measuring bladder volume reduced the need for a urinary catheter and the likelihood of urinary infection.     

女性压力性尿失禁患者在不同膀胱容量下漏尿点压的对照研究

目的:探讨女性压力性尿失禁患者在不同膀胱灌注量下漏尿点压的差异。方法:回顾性分析2016年1月至2018年12月本院收治的12例女性压力性尿失禁患者,在术前行尿动力检查时分别给予膀胱灌注200、250、300、350 mL时,测出腹压漏尿点压及咳嗽漏尿点压并分别进行比较。结果:不同膀胱容量下同时测得的腹压漏尿点压及咳嗽...     

膀胱水扩张加肝素灌注治疗女性间质性膀胱炎10例报告

目的观察膀胱水扩张加肝素灌注治疗间质性膀胱炎（IC）的疗效。方法该组10例IC患者均为女性。平均年龄36岁。平均病程30个月。所有患者在麻醉下行膀胱镜检加水扩张,次日均使用肝素钠10^5u加入无菌生理盐水20mL膀胱灌注,完成治疗后以O’Leary-Sant间质性膀胱炎症状评分（ICSI）、每日排尿次数及最大膀胱容量作为疗效评判标准,观察治疗前后患者各项指标情况。结果10例患者按照疗程治疗后随访4-12个月,平均7.5个月,症状缓解4例,症状显著缓解或消失6例;O’Leary-Sant ICSI治疗前为（12.5±4.9）分,平均治疗7个月后降为（6.5±2.3）分（P〈0.01）;治疗前患者平均排尿次数为（14.9±2.6）次／d,完成治疗后患者排尿次数减少至（7.8±2.8）次／d（P〈0.01）;膀胱最大容量治疗前为（73±10）mL,治疗后为（260±56）mL（P〈0.01）。治疗期间发生轻微肉眼血尿2例。结论膀胱水扩张联合肝素膀胱灌注治疗可有效缓解间质性膀胱炎患者症状,提高生活质量,是一种有效的治疗方法。     

A long-term follow-up of autoaugmentation in myelodysplastic children

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term results of patients who underwent bladder autoaugmentation (BA) in whom BA was used to treat a neuropathic bladder secondary to myelomeningocele, and who presented with a high-pressure/poorly compliant bladder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven patients (eight girls and three boys, mean age 12.8 years, mean follow-up 6.6 years) were selected who had undergone BA between June 1991 and June 1994. At surgery, the patients had a poorly compliant bladder with a mean leak point volume (LPV) of 94 mL and a mean leak point pressure (LPP) of 58 cmH2O. None of the patients had vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) at BA; five with grade III or IV VUR had undergone endoscopic correction in a day-surgery procedure using a suburethral collagen injection 1-3 weeks before BA. The patients were evaluated using clinical, urodynamic, radiological and endoscopic assessments. The LPV, LPP and safe bladder capacity (SBC, the cystometric volume at an intravesical pressure of 40 cmH2O) were recorded. RESULTS: At 1 year after surgery the mean LPV was 297 mL; none of the patients had VUR. The most recent mean LPV was 198 mL and the SBC 167 mL. The mean LPP remained stable at 60 cmH2O. At the last follow-up four patients had recurrent uni- or bilateral grade III-V VUR. At endoscopy the 'augmented' bladder portion had a smooth surface, compared with the grossly trabeculated lower half. From this finding all patients on clean intermittent catheterization were treated with oral oxybutynin. Some patients reported slightly less abdominal pain at maximum bladder volume; four needed pads to treat intermittent incontinence. On voiding cysto-urethrography, one patient had an hourglass-shaped bladder. Five patients recently underwent ileocystoplasty because of recurrent urinary tract infection, high-grade VUR and incontinence. CONCLUSION: These results do not justify the routine use of BA in hypertonic/poorly compliant bladders secondary to myelomeningocele. The mean follow-up of 6.6 years showed that this procedure failed in seven of 11 patients. Further studies might be able to identify subgroups in which this approach may be more appropriate.     

Renal transplantation in patients with a small bladder

BACKGROUND: In patients undergoing kidney transplantation with a small bladder, many surgeons are faced with technical difficulties about the implantation as well as about satisfactory bladder rehabilitation. The objective of this study was to clarify the clinical outcomes of patients with end-stage renal disease who had a bladder capacity of less than 100 mL on preoperative voiding cystourethrogram after renal transplantation using extravesical ureteroneocystostomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 345 patients with end-stage renal disease who underwent renal transplantation between April 2002 and June 2006. These patients were classified into two groups according to their preoperatively estimated bladder capacity using a voiding cystourethrogram. Group A had a bladder capacity of less than 100 mL (n = 23; 6.7%) and group B had a capacity of 100 mL or more (n = 322; 93.3%). For each group, the clinical outcome, including serum creatinine level at 1 month and 1 year after transplantation, bladder capacity, surgical complications, and prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) requiring hospital admission were recorded and the graft survival rate calculated. RESULTS: Compared with group B, group A had undergone a longer duration of dialysis and required cadaveric kidney transplantation more frequently (P < .05). Postoperative surgical complications occurred in nine cases. There was no difference in the frequency of surgical complications and UTI requiring hospital admission between group A and group B. At 1 year posttransplant, bladder capacity was 342.0 +/- 43.8 mL (range, 300-400 mL) and 429.1 +/- 75.9 mL (range, 200-500 mL), respectively (P = .015). There was no statistical difference between the groups in the serum creatinine level and the graft survival rate at 5 years after transplantation (100% vs 92.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Similar to patients with a normal bladder size, renal transplantation can be successfully achieved in patients with a small bladder. Attempts to increase the bladder capacity by programmed training of the bladder and bladder expansion by surgical intervention seem unnecessary.     

Prostatic biopsy in selected patients with carcinoma in situ of the bladder: preliminary report

Transitional cell carcinoma was found in biopsies of grossly normal-appearing prostates in 4 of 40 patients with recurrent carcinoma in situ of the bladder. In selected patients prostatic biopsy may be warranted if conservative therapy does not control the bladder tumors and if cystectomy is contemplated.     

间质性膀胱炎/膀胱疼痛综合征尿动力学检查价值分析

目的:探讨间质性膀胱炎/膀胱疼痛综合征(interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome,IC/BPS)尿动力学特征及鉴别诊断价值.方法:回顾性分析2019年06月-2019年12月就诊于我院40例女性IC/BPS患者与40例女性单纯压力性尿失禁(stress urinary in...     

α-FR在肾细胞癌及膀胱癌患者血清中的表达水平及其临床意义

目的 探讨α-FR(α型叶酸受体)在肾细胞癌及膀胱癌患者血清中的表达水平及其临床意义.方法 选取在本院经组织病理学确诊的肾细胞癌患者58例和膀胱癌患者42例,选取同期在本院健康体检的志愿者40例作为对照组,比较3组研究对象血清中的α-FR表达水平的差异.比较肾细胞癌和膀胱癌患者不同病理参数间血清中α-FR表达水平的差异.结果 肾细胞癌患者血清中的α-FR表达水平(87.39±47.15) pg/mL和膀胱癌患者血清中的α-FR表达水平(84.52±45.68) pg/mL均高于正常对照组(1.45±0.73) pg/mL,且差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).肾细胞癌和膀胱癌患者血清中的α-FR表达水平无统计学差异(P＞0.05).肾细胞癌TNM分期为Ⅰ期和Ⅱ期的患者血清中的α-FR表达水平(67.39±39.63)pg/mL低于TNM分期为Ⅲ期和Ⅵ期的患者(125.32±68.22) pg/mL,肾细胞癌高分化的患者血清中的α-FR表达水平(155.29 ±75.31) pg/mL高于中低分化的患者(78.85±42.68)pg/mL,且差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05);膀胱癌TNM分期为Ⅰ期和Ⅱ期的患者血清中的α-FR表达水平(84.71±53.64) pg/mL低于TNM分期为Ⅲ期和Ⅵ期的患者(157.92±88.34) pg/mL,膀胱癌高分化的患者血清中的α-FR表达水平(145.31±65.87) pg/mL高于中低分化的患者(79.64±48.22) pg/mL,且差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 血清中α-FR表达水平可作为肾细胞癌和膀胱癌诊断的肿瘤标志物.     

Usefulness of PSA screening in outpatients with bladder cancer: Preliminary results

BACKGROUND: We performed prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and evaluated its usefulness in outpatients with bladder cancer who may have an elevated risk for prostate cancer. METHODS: Sixty-one new or followed-up outpatients with bladder cancer were examined between September 1999 and December 2000 in the Department of Urology, Gunma University Hospital, Japan. PSA was measured after informed consent was obtained, and patients in whom the PSA level was 4.1 ng/mL or higher were selected for thorough examination. In the examination, one examiner performed DRE (digital rectal examination) and, based on DRE and TRUS (transrectal ultrasonography) findings, determined whether prostate biopsy was indicated. RESULTS: The average age of the 61 cases was 69.1 +/- 8.6 years, and the average PSA level was 3.5 +/- 5.8 ng/mL. The PSA level was 4.1 ng/mL or higher in 11 (18.0%) patients, nine of whom underwent six-sextant biopsy under TRUS guidance. Of these nine cases, four (6.6%) were diagnosed as having prostate cancer. The Gleason score was 7 in three cases and 9 in one case. The clinical stage was T2N0M0 in three cases and T3N0M0 in one case. CONCLUSIONS: On PSA screening in patients with bladder cancer and patients with a history of transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TUR-BT), prostate cancer was found in 6.6%. This rate is higher than in the general population. These cancers were classified into intermediate to high-risk groups, and the prognosis of prostate cancers could be more important than those of the bladder cancers in two cases (50%). We conclude that PSA screening for inpatients with bladder cancer may be useful.     

Estimation of intra-abdominal pressure by bladder pressure measurement: validity and methodology

BACKGROUND: Increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is an adverse complication seen in critically ill, injured, and postoperative patients. IAP is estimated via the measurement of bladder pressure. Few studies have been performed to establish the actual relationship between IAP and bladder pressure. The purpose of this study was to confirm the association between intravesicular pressure and IAP and to determine the bladder volume that best approximates IAP. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients undergoing laparoscopy had intravesicular pressures measured with bladder volumes of 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mL at directly measured intra-abdominal pressures of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mm Hg. Correlation coefficients and differences were then determined. RESULTS: Across the IAP range of 0 to 25 mm Hg using all of the tested bladder volumes, the difference between IAP and intravesicular pressures (bias) was -3.8 +/- 0.29 mm Hg (95% confidence interval) and measurements were well correlated (R2 = 0.68). Assessing all IAPs tested, a bladder volume of 0 mL demonstrated the lowest bias (-0.79 +/- 0.73 mm Hg). When considering only elevated IAPs (25 mm Hg), a bladder volume of 50 mL revealed the lowest bias (-1.5 +/- 1.36 mm Hg). A bladder volume of 50 mL in patients with elevated IAP resulted in an intravesicular pressure 1 to 3 mm Hg higher than IAP (95% confidence interval). CONCLUSION: Intravesicular pressure closely approximates IAP. Instillation of 50 mL of liquid into the bladder improves the accuracy of the intravesicular pressure in measuring elevated IAPs.     

The clinical utility of atypical cytology is significantly increased in both screening and monitoring for bladder cancer when indexed with nuclear matrix protein-22

OBJECTIVES

To assess atypical cytology as a positive bladder tumour marker and to determine if indexing atypical cytology to nuclear matrix protein‐22 (NMP22) can decrease the false‐positive results or increase the positive predictive value (PPV).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 197 patients at risk of bladder cancer were identified as having atypical urine cytology; 126 were incident (screening) cases and 71 were prevalent (monitoring) cases of bladder cancer. All patients with atypical cytology were evaluated using office cystoscopy. All cancers were confirmed histologically and patients had a negative upper tract study within a 1‐year interval. The atypical cytology was then indexed with NMP22 values in an effort to decrease the false‐positive results.

RESULTS

Atypical cytology detected 17 cancers in the 126 patients who were screened, giving a PPV of 13% (17/126). When stratified by NMP22, using a threshold of >10 U/mL, the PPV increased to 71% (15/21). In the 71 patients who were being monitored, atypical cytology detected 43 cancers, for a PPV of 61% (43/71). When stratified by NMP22 using a threshold of >6 U/mL, the PPV increased to 92% (35/38).

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical utility of atypical cytology was significantly increased in both screening and monitoring for bladder cancer when indexed with NMP22 levels.     

Bladder-pumping therapy for the treatment of low-capacity or low-compliance bladders

The walls of low-capacity or low-compliance bladders are thought to be less elastic than normal. Pumping of the bladder was found to disrupt collagen-fiber bundles in the rat bladder wall, offering the promise of potential clinical application. This result prompted us to use bladder-pumping therapy to soften the bladder wall in patients with low-capacity or low-compliance bladders to restore bladder elasticity. CO(2) gas or air, at a volume below the maximum bladder capacity (相似文献   

Considerations on the use of diagnostic markers in management of patients with bladder cancer

Although the incidence of bladder cancer lags behind that of other malignancies, it has the highest rate of recurrence among all US malignancies. The propensity to recur and the possibility of disease progression require aggressive surveillance, which has led to bladder cancer being the most expensive malignancy to treat in the United States. Current non-tailored surveillance strategies applied uniformly to all patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer may impose excessive diagnostic burden on patients with low-grade disease for the sake of adequately monitoring those with potentially aggressive disease. The recent identification of several bladder cancer tumor markers has led to attempts to determine if these markers can enhance existing surveillance strategies by possibly tailoring surveillance strategies to individual patients. These markers may result in cost savings by properly identifying which patients can safely delay cystoscopy and which patients require more periodic assessment. Furthermore, we may be able to identify those patients with “occult disease” that require more invasive assessments and earlier aggressive treatment. We will review diagnostic considerations in the use of these markers for the detection of recurrent bladder cancer and summarize the benefits and costs of the more promising bladder cancer markers.     

Transurethral resection in regionally advanced bladder cancer.

Various treatments have proved useful for disease control in some patients with regionally advanced bladder cancer. Transurethral resection may cure some patients with invasive disease, but identifying patients with such potential early in their course is difficult. A restaging transurethral resection helps indicate whether conservative management is feasible and, if not, which operation is appropriate. In some patients, transurethral resection may enhance the response to chemotherapy. Research is needed to identify those tumor characteristics associated with good results of conservative management of regionally advanced bladder cancer.     

Effects of bladder volume on transabdominal ultrasound measurements of intravesical prostatic protrusion and volume

BACKGROUND: A filled bladder acts as an acoustic window for transabdominal ultrasound measurements of intravesical prostatic protrusion and volume. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of bladder volume on transabdominal ultrasound measurements of these parameters. METHODS: Twenty-two patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) were studied. Under general anesthesia just before TURP, a transrectal ultrasound measurement of prostate volume was obtained. The bladder was then filled in a stepwise manner with 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mL. At each volume, the intravesical prostatic protrusion and prostatic volume were measured transabdominally using ultrasound. RESULTS: There was an obvious trend of decreasing mean transabdominal intravesical prostatic protrusions with increasing bladder volume. The mean transabdominal intravesical prostatic protrusion at bladder volumes 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mL was 9.1, 8.8, 7.4, 5.8 and 4.6 mm, respectively. The bladder volume at which maximum prostatic protrusion occurred was between 100 and 200 mL. The mean transabdominal prostate volume at the five increasing bladder volumes was 50.6, 48.7, 49.2, 47.9 and 41.4 mL, and these were correlated to transrectal prostate volume, particularly when the bladder volume was less than 400 mL. CONCLUSIONS: Transabdominal ultrasound measurement of prostatic protrusion is dependent on bladder volume. Transabdominal ultrasound measurement of prostatic volume correlates well with the transrectal measurement of the same parameter when the bladder volume is less than 400 mL.     

Bladder neck reconstruction in classic bladder exstrophy: the role of osteotomy in the development of continence

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of osteotomy at the time of bladder neck reconstruction (BNR) for continence in classic bladder exstrophy, in which closure of the pelvic ring and reconstitution of the pelvic diaphragm may affect eventual continence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The results of using osteotomy at the time of BNR in 29 children were reviewed. The mean bladder capacity before BNR was 76 mL. The indications for osteotomy were a wide pubic diastasis and a soft intersymphyseal bar. After osteotomy, all children were maintained in external fixation and lower-extremity traction for 6-8 weeks. RESULTS: Complications of osteotomy were limited to a partial femoral nerve palsy (one patient) and delayed union of fragments (one patient). Complications of BNR included urethral stricture (five patients) and bladder calculi (six patients). Continence results were modest, with 11 of 29 children (38%) dry during the day (dry interval >3 h) and eight of 29 (28%) dry at night. Eight children had daytime dry intervals of approximately 3 h. The mean preoperative bladder capacity in children who were dry both day and night was 101 mL. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative bladder capacity remains a key determinant for the attainment of continence after BNR in the reconstruction of classic bladder exstrophy. Osteotomy allows pelvic closure and thus improves cosmesis of the mons and stabilizes the BNR in patients with a soft intersymphyseal bar, but seems to have no effect on continence when performed at the time of bladder neck plasty.     

PHENOXYBENZAMINE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF NEUROPATHIC BLADDER FOLLOWING SPINAL CORD INJURY

Background : The present study aims to show the clinical and urodynamic effects of phenoxybenzamine on the neuropathic bladder of spinal cord-injured patients who failed to be free of catheter by attaining satisfactory voiding function, despite initial bladder training. Methods : Forty-six spinal cord-injured patients were subjected to pharmacological manipulation with phenoxybenzamine. It was used as an adjunct in the management of neuropathic bladder dysfunction that caused failure of the bladder to empty, by tapping or crede to achieve satisfactory residual urine volume of < 100 mL. Phenoxybenzamine was started with a dose of 10 mg daily, increased by 10 mg every 3 days to a dose of 30 mg daily; this was maintained from 3 weeks to 6 months (mean: 39 days). The pre-treatment residual urine volume ranged between 100 and 1050 mL (mean: 360 mL). Follow-up periods ranged between 12 and 36 months (mean: 16 months). Results : Five patients (11%) were excluded due to either inadequate treatment or inadequate follow-up. Nineteen patients (41%) with reflex (upper motor neurone) bladders showed improvement of bladder evacuation. There was a reduction of the maximum urethral closure pressure, which ranged between 10 and 32 cm of water (mean: 22 cm). Twenty-two patients (48%) did not respond, requiring other measures to be taken which included transurethral surgery (n = 19). Nine of the failures involved areflex (lower motor neurone) bladders, and seven failures involved reflex bladders with an extremely tight outlet and urethral closure pressure of > 50 cm of water. Six failures involved reflex bladders that were lacking strong enough detrusor contractions to attain a balanced bladder responsive to abdominal tapping; response was achieved by administration of a parasympatheticomimetic drug. Neuropathic bladders with uninhibited detrusor contractions responded well to phenoxybenzamine. Conclusions : Phenoxybenzamine proved useful in reducing bladder outlet resistance after spinal cord injury, provided that detrusor bladder contractions were present. It is useful in controlling detrusor–sphincter dyssynergia and autonomic hyperreflexia. It was not useful in areflex bladders, perhaps due to the development of spasticity of the striated muscle component of the external sphincter. The presence of bladder neck (internal sphincter) dysfunction may modify or abolish its effect.