[Neurogenic voiding disorders. Current status of diagnosis and therapy].

Abstract

Treatment of the neurogenic voiding disorders which occur after spinal cord injury represents one of the most important challenges of rehabilitation. Inadequate management of neurogenic voiding disorders, especially of urinary incontinence, results in impaired quality of life. Moreover, inadequately treated neurogenic voiding disorders may result in medium and long-term renal complications and even death. Treatment of neurogenic disorders, whatever their origin (spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease), must take into account the gravity of the neurological disease, the potential risks for the upper urinary tract and the expected quality of life. Therefore, each patient must be considered as a separate entity and treated individually. Recent progress in the comprehension of the neurophysiology of the lower urinary tract and the neurophysiopathology of the neurogenic voiding disorders has been followed by the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools aimed at improving the patients' health and quality of life.