Histochemical assessment of the intrinsic innervation of the normal urinary bladder

In order to assess the normal intrinsic innervation pattern, an enzyme histochemical acetylcholinesterase and two immunohistochemical (S100 protein and neurofilaments) stainings were done on 38 normal urinary bladder specimens. The nerve density was calculated as a mean number of nerve fibers counted per high power field. S100 staining after adequate fixation proved to be similar to the acetylcholinesterase technique, avoids freezing manipulation, is easier to read and permits normal conventional histological examination. Neuropathology of bladder biopsies is an easily available diagnostic method in current neurourological practice.