Effect of spinal cord abnormalities on the function of the lower urinary tract in patients with anorectal abnormalities

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effect of spinal cord abnormalities on lower urinary tract function in patients with anorectal abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 30 patients with anorectal anomalies mainly because of fecal or urinary incontinence. All patients underwent spinal magnetic resonance imaging and urodynamic investigation. RESULTS: Major lumbosacral abnormalities were detected in 57% of patients, including 13, 4 and 3 with a tethered cord, syringomyelia and caudal regression, respectively. Significant dysfunction of the lower urinary tract in 57% of the cases involved an overactive detrusor in 11, detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia in 4, distended bladder in 4 and lazy bladder in 1. When the spinal cord was normal, 54% of the patients had abnormal urodynamic findings but when the spinal cord was abnormal, 59% had abnormal urodynamics. When the bony spine was normal, 33% of the patients had an abnormal spinal cord but when the bony spine was abnormal, 69% had an abnormal spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with anorectal abnormalities and fecal or urinary incontinence problems often have an abnormal spinal cord and abnormal urodynamic findings. However, the state of the spinal cord is not the only factor explaining lower urinary tract function. Thus, the possibility of lower urinary tract dysfunction should be considered in each patient with anorectal abnormalities. If the patient has symptoms or findings suggesting abnormal lower urinary tract function urodynamic evaluation should be performed.