Catheter-induced hyperreflexia in spinal cord injury patients: diagnosis by sonographic voiding cystourethrography

In part 1 of this study, 77 consecutive patients with spinal cord injuries and reflex bladders were examined by combined urodynamic studies and sonographic voiding cystourethrography. Of the 15 (19%) who had hyperreflexic bladders (reflex bladders that contracted when containing 125 ml or less), eight (53%) had catheter-induced hyperreflexia (proved by sonographic voiding cystourethrography without catheterization). The significant overdiagnosis influenced patient care because catheter-induced hyperreflexia did not require treatment, whereas primary hyperreflexia caused by lesions above T-5 always required anticholinergic therapy to prevent potentially life-threatening autonomic dysreflexia. In part 2 of this study, 116 additional spinal cord injury patients with reflex bladders were studied, although in these patients the catheter was introduced under sonographic control. Seven (6%) of these patients had hyperreflexia, but in none was the hyperreflexia catheter induced, showing that use of sonography while introducing the catheter can prevent catheter-induced hyperreflexia.