Sacral reflex latency in acute retention in female patients

Neurophysiological measurements of the innervation of the lower urinary tract were performed on 14 female patients presenting with unexplained acute urinary retention. The method consisted of (a) static electromyography (EMG) of the anal and urethral sphincter with the patient relaxed, coughing and gripping, (b) the study of sensory thresholds on the dorsal nerve of the clitoris and in the urethra, (c) the measurement of sacral reflex latencies (SRL) from the dorsal nerve of the clitoris to the anus and urethra and from the urethra to the anus. The results showed that all 14 patients had significant defects in the innervation of their lower urinary tract. These findings suggest that a neurological explanation for acute retention in women should always be sought before making any other diagnosis.