Neurogenic bladder dysfunction in spina bifida: a case report and a brief review of the literature

Spina bifida is a developmental defect of the spinal cord and/or spinal cord that results from abnormal closure of the embryonic neural tube. Many factors have been described to determine the risks of developing this pathology, but the incidence of the defect is still high. 61% of patients with spina bifida have neurogenic bladder dysfunction based on intravesical hypertension, which contributes to reverse urethral flow and vesico-uretero-renal reflux, associated with chronic inflammatory and obstructive diseases of the urinary tract. Between 25-50% of patients with spina bifida develop chronic kidney disease, significantly reducing their quality of life. In some types of Spina bifida, urological symptoms may be prominent and indicate the presence of this malformation. Therefore, early diagnosis of Spina bifida and timely prophylactic and therapeutic measures are particular importance. This article describes a clinical case of Spina bifida posterior L1-L2 with a closed L1-L2 meningocele in which urological symptoms were the dominant manifestation. The development of secondary complications of neurogenic bladder in the presented patient cannot be excluded, which requires closer monitoring.