The videourodynamic characteristics of patients with chronic spinal cord injury with different injury levels and bladder conditions

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the association between bladder conditions and Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) characteristics in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) with different injury levels using a videourodynamic study (VUDS). Materials and Methods: A single-center, retrospective review of the VUDS database on patients with NLUTD and chronic SCI from 1997 to 2020. A total of 507 patients were enrolled. All patients had a comprehensive chart review, including the injury level, period from diagnosis to VUDS, and VUDS characteristics. Results: The mean age and duration from SCI diagnosis to VUDS were 44.2 ± 15.7 years and 81.8 ± 89.0 months. Detrusor overactivity (DO) was observed in 67.7% of patients and detrusor underactivity (DU) in 26.0%. Bladder outlet obstruction was noted in 78.3% of patients, including detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) in 53.3% and bladder neck dysfunction in 25.0%. DO and DSD were more commonly observed in patients with suprasacral lesions (P = 0.000 and P = 0.000, respectively), whereas DU had a higher prevalence in patients with lumbar or sacral lesions (P = 0.000). No statistically significant difference was observed in the prevalence of vesicoureteral reflux among different SCI levels. Bladder sensation parameters were more preserved in patients with cervical SCI than in those with lumbar SCI; however, no significant difference in bladder compliance was observed among patients with different SCI levels. Conclusion: The VUDS in patients with SCI revealed a high prevalence of DO, DU, and DSD, which varied among different injury levels. A precise VUDS is necessary for deciding bladder management for patients with SCI and voiding dysfunction.