Voiding dysfunction due to neurosyphilis

Three patients with neurosyphilis presenting with urinary frequency, incontinence and voiding dysfunction were investigated. Unlike the previously reported finding of areflexia in tabes dorsalis, all 3 had hypocompliant detrusor hyper-reflexia with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia and post-micturition residual urine. One patient also had bladder neck dyssynergia treated by bladder neck incision. The other 2 patients were initially managed by intermittent catheterisation but 1 ultimately underwent urinary diversion. The clinical relevance of these findings and the treatment of this condition are discussed.