The Ureteral Function in Neurogenic Bladder Patients

Abstract

Ureteral electromyograms were taken from patients with spinal injuries, and studies were made of the electroureterographic findings in relation to affected sites, periods after injury, and renal and cystic functions.
Abnormal findings on the electroureterograms were represented by significant prolongation and shortening of discharge intervals as well as by partial changes in the amplitude, duration and travel-rate associated with retrograde peristaltic discharges.
There was no marked relation between the site of injury and the electro-ureterographie findings. The period after injury correlated with the findings, and the longer the period after injury, the higher the incidence of the abnormal discharge. On the other hand, patients with the complication of renal dysfunction showed electroureterographically a higher incidence of abnormal findings. Abnormal discharge was more frequent in cases of hypotonic bladder than in cases of normo-tonic or hypertonic bladder, but the difference was not significant.