Bladder dysfunction after spinal and peripheral nerve lesions

Disturbances in bladder function might occur as consequence of multiple neurological diseases involving any neurological pathways connecting the brain to the peripheral organ. Bladder dysfunction, especially resulting incontinence leads to impaired quality of life, if not adequately treated. Moreover, impaired voiding function might result in renal damage and finally in renal insufficiency. In this paper various causes of neurogenic bladder dysfunction, resulting from spinal cord disease or peripheral nerve damages are described. Neurogenic voiding disorders secondary to cortical lesions or diseases at the level of the basal ganglia or brainstem have been voluntarily omitted.