Relationship between bladder dysfunction and brain MRI in multiple sclerosis

We studied 70 consecutive patients with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) to examine the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cerebral findings and urinary disturbances. Thirty-two subjects (46%) had urinary symptoms and 38 (54%) were asymptomatic. Patients with urinary symptoms exhibited greater overall functional disability. A significant correlation between the presence of midbrain lesions and urinary dysfunctions was found which may indicate an important role of the mesencephalic formation to preserve continence.