Alpha-blockers and urethral pressure in neurological patients

In 11 patients with upper motor neuron bladder paresis due to spinal trauma, 2 patients with lower motor neuron bladder paresis, and 4 patients with multiple sclerosis, alpha-adrenergic blockade with 10 mg Regitine intravenously decreased the maximum urethral closure pressure to an average of 42%. The decrease was most pronounced in a patient with lower motor neuron bladder paresis and a flaccid pelvic floor. Treatment with phenoxybenzamine was found valuable in patients with multiple sclerosis and poor bladder emptying as well as in patients with lower motor neuron bladder paresis. In patients with detrusorsphincter dyssynergia this treatment was of no value.