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Tract Dysfunction (tract + dysfunction)
Kinds of Tract Dysfunction Selected AbstractsNeuropathic pain in spinal cord injury: significance of clinical and electrophysiological measuresEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 1 2009Susanne Wydenkeller Abstract A large percentage of spinal cord-injured subjects suffer from neuropathic pain below the level of the lesion (bNP). The neural mechanisms underlying this condition are not clear. The aim of this study was to elucidate the general effects of spinal deafferentiation and of bNP on electroencephalographic (EEG) activity. In addition, the relationship between the presence of bNP and impaired function of the spinothalamic tract was studied. Measurements were performed in complete and incomplete spinal cord-injured subjects with and without bNP as well as in a healthy control group. Spinothalamic tract function, assessed by contact heat evoked potentials, did not differ between subjects with and without bNP; nevertheless, it was impaired in 94% of subjects suffering from bNP. In the EEG recordings, the degree of deafferentiation was reflected in a slowing of EEG peak frequency in the 6,12-Hz band. Taking into account this unspecific effect, spinal cord-injured subjects with bNP showed significantly slower EEG activity than subjects without bNP. A discrimination analysis in the subjects with spinothalamic tract dysfunction correctly classified 84% of subjects as belonging to either the group with bNP or the group without bNP, according to their EEG peak frequency. These findings could be helpful for both the development of an objective diagnosis of bNP and for testing the effectiveness of new therapeutic agents. [source] GABAergic mechanism mediated via D1 receptors in the rat periaqueductal gray participates in the micturition reflex: an in vivo microdialysis studyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 12 2008Takeya Kitta Abstract The periaqueductal gray (PAG) is critically involved in the micturition reflex, but little is known about the neuronal mechanisms involved. The present study elucidated dynamic changes in dopamine (DA), glutamate and ,-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the rat PAG during the micturition reflex, with a focus on dopaminergic modulation using in vivo microdialysis combined with cystometrography. Extracellular levels of DA and glutamate increased, whereas levels of GABA decreased, in parallel with the micturition reflex. Application of a D1 receptor antagonist into the PAG produced increases in maximal voiding pressure (MVP) and decreases in intercontraction interval (ICI), suggesting that the micturition reflex was facilitated by D1 receptor blockade. The D1 receptor antagonist prevented micturition-induced decreases in GABA efflux but had no effect on DA or glutamate. Neither a D2 receptor antagonist nor a D1/D2 receptor agonist affected these neurochemical and physiological parameters. Micturition-induced inhibition of GABA was not observed in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats, an animal model of Parkinson's disease. 6-OHDA-lesioned rats exhibited bladder hyperactivity evaluated by increases in MVP and decreases in ICI, mimicking facilitation of the micturition reflex induced by D1 receptor blockade. These findings suggest that the micturition reflex is under tonic dopaminergic regulation through D1 receptors, in which a GABAergic mechanism is involved. Bladder hyperactivity observed in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats may be caused by dysfunction of GABAergic regulation underlying the micturition reflex. The present findings contribute to our understanding not only of the neurophysiology of the micturition reflex but also of the pathophysiology of lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease. [source] Botulinum toxin injection therapy in the management of lower urinary tract dysfunctionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 2006A. K. PATEL Summary We have great pleasure in introducing this supplement containing a collection of articles reviewing the contemporary clinical management of functional disorders of the lower urinary tract (LUT) with particular emphasis on the potential role of botulinum toxin injection therapy. Detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD), detrusor overactivity (DO), painful bladder syndrome (PBS) and LUT symptoms consequent on bladder outflow obstruction (LUTS/BPH) have all been treated by the injection of botulinum toxin. This treatment can be administered as a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure which on the initial trials for DO (particularly of neurogenic aetiology) shows a remarkable efficacy with effects lasting up to a year after a single treatment with few significant side effects. Success has been reported with the management of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia and preliminary series report positive outcomes in the management of PBS and LUTS/BPH. However, most of the studies to date include small numbers and have a recruitment bias with few randomised controlled trials having been reported. The answers to some of the key questions are addressed with reference to our contemporary knowledge. It is clear that considerable work both clinical and basic science still needs to be performed to answer the many remaining questions with regard to this treatment modality but undoubtedly it will be a major future treatment option in those with intractable symptoms or those unable to tolerate medications. Currently, all botulinum toxin use for urological conditions is off-label and unlicensed, therefore caution should be exercised until future large randomised studies are reported. [source] Urodynamic findings in children with cerebral palsyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 8 2005M IHSAN KARAMAN Abstract Aim: More than one-third of children with cerebral palsy are expected to present with dysfunctional voiding symptoms. The voiding dysfunction symptoms of the cerebral palsy patients in the present study were documented. Methods: Of the study group, 16 were girls and 20 were boys (mean age: 8.2 years). Children with cerebral palsy were evaluated with urodynamics consisting of flow rate, filling and voiding cystometry, and electromyography findings of the external urethral sphincter to determine lower urinary tract functions. Treatment protocols were based on the urodynamic findings. Anticholinergic agents to reduce uninhibited contractions and to increase bladder capacity were used as a treatment. Clean intermittent catheterization and behavioral modification were used for incomplete emptying. Results: Of the children, 24 (66.6%) were found to have dysfunctional voiding symptoms. Daytime urinary incontinence (47.2%) and difficulty urinating (44.4%) were the most common symptoms. Urodynamic findings showed that neurogenic detrusor overactivity (involuntary contractions during bladder filling) with a low bladder capacity was present in 17 (47.2%) children, whereas detrusor,sphincter dyssynergia was present in four patients (11%). The mean bladder capacity of patients with a neurogenic bladder was 52.2% of the expected capacity. Conclusions: The present study concluded that voiding dysfunction was seen in more than half of the children with cerebral palsy, which is a similar result to other published studies. We propose that a rational plan of management of these patients depends on the evaluation of the lower urinary tract dysfunction with urodynamic studies. These children benefit from earlier referral for assessment and treatment. [source] Genetics and the lower urinary tract,,NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 4 2010Peggy Norton Abstract Many complex disorders have been found to have a heritable component, including lower urinary tract dysfunction. Twin studies have indicated that genetic contributions to urinary incontinence (UI) may be as important as environmental influences. Linkage to chromosome 9 has been demonstrated in families with pelvic organ prolapse and stress UI. An increasing number of incontinence specialists are studying subjects with lower urinary tract dysfunction using single nucleotide polymorphisms, linkage analyses of siblings, and large association studies. These findings have exciting implications for future prevention and treatment of UI. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:609,611, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Lower urinary tract symptoms following neurological illness may be influenced by multiple factors: Observations from a neurorehabilitation service in a developing country,,NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 3 2010Jalesh N. Panicker Abstract Aims To evaluate the pattern of lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) in patients with neurological disease in the setting of a rehabilitation service in a developing country, and analyze causes for unexpected lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Methods Patients with neurological disorders and having significant LUTS were prospectively evaluated. Level of neurological lesion was localized by neurological examination and investigations. LUTD was evaluated by symptom analysis, bladder diaries and ultrasonography. Storage symptoms were managed using antimuscarinic medications and voiding dysfunction, when significant, was managed by catheterization and patients were regularly followed up. Patients with symptoms that had not been expected based upon their level of neurological lesion were further evaluated. Results Fifty patients (mean age 43.5,±,18.3 years) were included and according to neurological localization, were categorized into suprapontine (n,=,9; 18%), infrapontine/suprasacral (n,=,25; 50%) or infrasacral (n,=,16; 32%) groups. Incontinence was more common in patients with suprapontine and infrapontine/suprasacral lesions (n,=,20) (P,<,0.03), hesitancy more common with infrapontine/suprasacral lesions (n,=,20) (P,=,0.004) and retention more with infrasacral lesions (n,=,13) (P,<,0.001). Patients belonging to suprapontine and infrapontine/suprasacral groups more likely showed improvement at follow up (P,=,0.008). Fourteen patients (28%) had unexpected LUTS and this was due to urological causes (n,=,6) or multiaxial neurological involvement (n,=,8). Potentially treatable factors were managed, resulting in symptom relief. Conclusion LUTS in neurological disease may be at variance with the pattern expected based upon level of neurological lesion. Such patients may require further evaluation and consideration should be given to concomitant urological conditions and multiaxial neurological involvement. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:378,381, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Is there a discrepancy between patient and physician quality of life assessment?,NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 3 2009Sushma Srikrishna Abstract Aims Quality of Life (QoL) assessment remains integral in the investigation of women with lower urinary tract dysfunction. Previous work suggests that physicians tend to underestimate patients' symptoms and the bother that they cause. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between physician and patient assessed QoL using the Kings Health Questionnaire (KHQ). Methods Patients complaining of troublesome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were recruited from a tertiary referral urodynamic clinic. Prior to their clinic appointment they were sent a KHQ, which was completed before attending. After taking a detailed urogynecological history, a second KHQ was filled in by the physician, blinded to the patient responses, on the basis of their impression of the symptoms elicited during the interview. These data were analyzed by an independent statistician. Concordance between patient and physician assessment for individual questions was assessed using weighted kappa analysis. QoL scores were compared using Wilcoxons signed rank test. Results Seventy-five patients were recruited over a period of 5 months. Overall, the weighted kappa showed relatively poor concordance between the patient and physician responses; mean kappa: 0.33 (range 0.18,0.57). The physician underestimated QoL score in 4/9 domains by a mean of 5.5% and overestimated QoL score in 5/9 domains by a mean of 6.9%. In particular, physicians underestimated the impact of LUTS on social limitations and emotions (P,<,0.05). Conclusion This study confirms that physicians often differ from patients in the assessment of QoL. This is most likely due to a difference in patient,physician perception of "significant" LUTS and clearly demonstrates the importance of patient evaluated QoL in routine clinical assessment. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:179,182, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Acute urodynamic effects of percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation on neurogenic detrusor overactivity in patients with Parkinson's disease,NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 1 2009Sibel Canbaz Kabay Abstract Aims Lower urinary tract dysfunction is often occurs in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), that is primarily induced by neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) and negatively effect the quality of the patient's life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute effects of posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) on the urodynamic findings in the PD patients with NDO. Methods Thirty-two patients with PD (19 [59.3%] men and 13 [40.6%] women) with NDO were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 64.2,±,8.7 years (range 44,78). Urodynamic studies before and during PTNS were performed. Electrical stimulation was applied unilaterally from the medial malleolus and posterior to the edge of the tibia by using charge-compensated 200 µsec pulses with a pulse rate of 20 Hz. Mean first involuntary detrusor (1st IDCV) contractions and means maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) before and during PTNS was compared. Results Mean 1st IDCV on standard cystometry was 145.2,±,41.1 (55,265) ml, while it was 244.7,±,51.7 (145,390) ml during PTNS. MCC on standard cystometry was 204.8,±,40.5 (115,320) ml, while it was 301.2,±,51.5 (230,395) ml during stimulation. Mean 1st IDC and mean MCC were significantly improved during PTNS. Conclusions These results have demonstrated the objective acute effect of PTNS on urodynamic parameters. PTNS is acutely effective to suppress detrusor overactivity in PD patients. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:62,67, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Neuromuscular electrical stimulation and the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction in multiple sclerosis, A double blind, placebo controlled, randomised clinical trial,,NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 3 2008D. McClurg Abstract Aims Lower urinary tract dysfunction affects up to 75% of the multiple sclerosis population. Results from our recent Pilot Study (McClurg et al., 2006) indicated that a combined programme of pelvic floor muscle training, electromyography biofeedback and neuromuscular electrical stimulation modalities may alleviate some of the distressing symptoms within this population. This clinical trial aimed to evaluate further the efficacy of these interventions and to establish the benefit of neuromuscular electrical stimulation above and beyond that of EMG biofeedback and pelvic floor muscle training. Methods 74 multiple sclerosis patients who presented with lower urinary tract dysfunction were randomly allocated to one of two groups - Group 1 received Pelvic Floor Muscle Training, Electromyography Biofeedback and Placebo Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (n=37), and Group 2 which received Pelvic Floor Muscle Training, Electromyography Biofeedback, and Active Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (n=37). Treatment was for nine weeks with outcome measures recorded at weeks 0, 9, 16 and 24. The Primary Outcome Measure was the number of leakage episodes. Within group analysis was by Paired Samples t-test. Group differences were analysed using Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance and Post-hoc tests were used to determine the significance of differences between Groups at each time point. Results The mean number of incontinence episodes were reduced in Group 2 by 85% (p=0.001) whereas in Group 1 a lesser reduction of 47% (p=0.001) was observed. However, there was a statistically superior benefit in Group 2 when compared to Group 1 (p=0.0028). This superior benefit was evident in all other outcome measures. Conclusions The addition of Active Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to a programme of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training and Electromyography Biofeedback should be considered as a first-line option in alleviating some of the symptoms of lower urinary tract dysfunction associated with multiple sclerosis. Neurourol. Urodynam. 27:231,237, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Botulinum toxin for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms: A reviewNEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 1 2005A. Sahai Abstract Aims To review the available literature on the application of botulinum toxin in the urinary tract, with particular reference to its use in treating detrusor overactivity (DO). Methods Botulinum toxin, overactive bladder (OAB), detrusor instability, DO, detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD), and lower urinary tract dysfunction were used on Medline Services as a source of articles for the review process. Results DO poses a significant burden on patients and their quality of life. Traditionally patients have been treated with anti-cholinergic drugs if symptomatic, however, a significant number find this treatment either ineffective or intolerable due to side effects. Recent developments in this field have instigated new treatment options, including botulinum toxin, for patients' refractory to first line medication. Botulinum toxin, one of the most poisonous substances known to man, is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin injections into the external urethral sphincter to treat detrusor sphincter dyssynergia has been successfully used for some years but recently its use has expanded to include voiding dysfunction. Intradetrusal injections of botulinum toxin into patients with detrusor overactivity and symptons of the overactive bladder have resulted in significant increases in mean maximum cystometric capacity and detrusor compliance with a reduction in mean maximum detrusor pressures. Subjective and objective assessments in these patients has shown significant improvements that last for 9,12 months. Repeated injections have had the same sustained benefits. Conclusions Application of botulinum toxin in the lower urinary tract has produced promising results in treating lower urinary tract dysfunction, which needs further evaluation with randomised, placebo-controlled trials. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Motor evoked potentials from the pelvic floorNEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 7 2003Søren Brostrøm Proper function of the lower urinary tract depends on the integrity of the central and peripheral nervous pathways on multiple levels, and the complexity of this system leaves it susceptible to even minor lesions. While dysfunction of the lower urinary tract is prevalent amongst patients with nervous system disease, e.g., multiple sclerosis (MS), most women with lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) have no overt neurological cause. Refined neuro-diagnostic approaches are needed to reveal neurogenicity in these patients. A potential method is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which is used routinely to test the motor innervation of limb muscles, but also can be applied to test pelvic floor efferents. To resolve the lack of methodological clarity and the need for normative values for the use of pelvic floor motor evoked potentials (MEPs), 30 healthy women and 16 women with MS were studied. Methods The healthy women underwent MEP studies with various stimulus and recording modalities, and, to test reproducibility, 18 of them were retested at a separate session. The women with MS underwent MEP testing as well as urodynamic studies. Results From the methodological studies of healthy women, the use of invasive concentric needle electrodes was found to be superior to surface electrodes. When applying magnetic stimuli over the sacral region, various methodological problems were encountered. In the healthy women, a large variability of responses was noted, the long-term reproducibility of pelvic floor MEP latencies was poor, and in some cases responses could not be obtained. In the study of women with MS, prolonged central conduction times were found, along with many cases of unevokable responses, and a poor correlation of MEPs to urodynamic findings. The problems of obtaining selective recordings from the inaccessible pelvic floor musculature are discussed, and possible sources of variability in MEPs from the pelvic floor are considered. By relating the findings in the present studies to those of others using different modalities, some reflections are presented on the nature of the neural pathways to the pelvic floor activated by magnetic stimulation. As unevokable responses from the pelvic floor were an occasional finding among the healthy women, it is argued that a pelvic floor non-response in a patient with suspected corticospinal lesion should be interpreted with care, and should not carry the same clinical significance as an absent limb response. Conclusions The inherent limitations of pelvic floor MEPs are discussed, and it is concluded that while there seems to be only limited clinical value of pelvic floor MEP testing, there might be some interesting scientific perspectives in studies that aim to control and explain the variability of responses. Neurourol. Urodynam. 22:620,637, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: The Combination of the Gastrointestinal Integrin (,4,7) and Selectin Ligand Enhances T-Cell Migration to the Reproductive Tract During Infection with Chlamydia trachomatisAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Kathleen A. Kelly Problem,Chlamydia trachomatis causes sexually transmitted infection and reproductive dysfunction worldwide. Identifying a population of endocervical T-cells to target in vaccine development is likely to enhance efficacy of a vaccine and reduce reproductive tract dysfunction. Method of study, Endocervical samples were obtained from young women and flow cytometric analysis was used to identify lymphocytes that appeared in the genital tract in response to sexually transmitted bacterial infections caused by C. trachomatis. Results, Increased numbers of ,4,7+CLA+ memory T-cells, a unique T-cell phenotype, were found in the endocervix of human female subjects infected with C. trachomatis. Conclusion A unique population of memory T lymphocytes expressing both ,4,7 and CLA gain access to reproductive tract tissues during a sexually transmitted infection with C. trachomatis and should be considered in development of vaccines against sexually transmitted infections. [source] Bone Marrow-Derived Cells Implanted into Freeze-Injured Urinary Bladders Reconstruct Functional Smooth Muscle LayersLUTS, Issue 1 2010Tetsuya IMAMURA Regenerative medicine offers great hope for lower urinary tract dysfunctions due to irreversibly damaged urinary bladders and urethras. Our aim is the utilization of bone marrow-derived cells to reconstruct smooth muscle layers for the treatments of irreversibly damaged lower urinary tracts. In our mouse model system for urinary bladder regeneration, the majority of smooth muscle layers in about one-third of the bladder are destroyed by brief freezing. Three days after wounding, we implant cultured cells derived from bone marrow. The implanted bone marrow-derived cells survive and differentiate into layered smooth muscle structures that remediate urinary dysfunction. However, bone marrow-derived cells implanted into the intact normal urinary bladders do not exhibit these behaviors. The presence of large pores in the walls of the freeze-injured urinary bladders is likely to be helpful for a high rate of survival of the implanted cells. The pores could also serve as scaffolding for the reconstruction of tissue structures. The surviving host cells upregulate several growth factor mRNAs that, if translated, can promote differentiation of smooth muscle and other cell types. We conclude that the multipotency of the bone marrow-derived cells and the provision of scaffolding and suitable growth factors by the microenvironment enable successful tissue engineering in our model system for urinary bladder regeneration. In this review, we suggest that the development of regenerative medicine needs not only a greater understanding of the requirements for undifferentiated cell proliferation and targeted differentiation, but also further knowledge of each unique microenvironment within recipient tissues. [source] Lower urinary tract dysfunctions in patients with spinal cord tumorsNEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 1 2004Tomoyuki Uchiyama Abstract Aims The objective of this study was to elucidate the incidence and pathophysiology of lower urinary tract dysfunctions (LUTS) in patients with spinal cord tumors. Methods Urinary questionnaire and urodynamic studies were done in 76 patients with spinal cord tumors. Results The patients included 56 with cervical-thoracic (C1 to T11) and 20 with lumbosacral tumors. The lumbosacral tumors consisted of 12 epiconus/conus medullaris (below T11) and 8 cauda equina tumors. These tumors were further subdivided into intramedullary, intradural extramedullary, and dumbbell-type. More than 83% of the patients had urinary symptoms. Patients with cervical-thoracic tumors commonly had voiding symptoms (75%). Detrusor hyperreflexia (39%), and detrusor areflexia on voiding (21%) were the main urodynamic features. Patients with epiconus/conus medullaris tumors commonly had voiding symptoms as well (58%), but decreased urge to void (50%), detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (42%), and detrusor areflexia on voiding (32%) were the main features. Patients with cauda equina tumors commonly had storage symptoms (88%), of which sensory urgency was most common (63%). Severe LUTS occurred in the epiconus/conus medullaris tumors and in the intramedullary tumors. These dysfunctions tended to appear late and rarely appeared as the initial symptom in the course of the disease. There was no significant relationship between neurologic abnormalities and LUTS. Urodynamics showed that spinal cord tumors cause a variety of LUTS, depending on the location and the type of the tumor. Conclusion Spinal cord tumors are commonly accompanied by LUTS. Clinical and urodynamic evaluation is crucial to diagnosis and management since there is little relationship between symptoms and findings. Neurourol. Urodynam. 23:68,75, 2004. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||