Cystometry as an adjunct in the evaluation of lumbar disc syndromes

Abstract

✓ One hundred patients with the provisional diagnosis of nerve root compression in the lumbar spine were subjected to routine bladder evaluation by cystometry in addition to the standard somatic neurological examination. Eighty-three were found to have cystometrograms characteristic of bladder hypofunction. Residual urine was found in 20% of the 100 patients. By contrast, the examination of the somatic nervous system disclosed sensory deficits in 36%, weakness in 59%, reflex alterations in 66%, and positive sciatic-stretch tests in 69%. Almost all cystometric studies (96%) became normal after successful surgical or conservative therapy. It is concluded that occult bladder dysfunction is a major manifestation of lumbar nerve root compression. The neurophysiological mechanisms involved are discussed in detail.