Acute urinary retention as a presenting sign of spinal cord compression

The cases of three patients with spinal cord compression who presented with acute urinary retention are discussed. Two patients had previously diagnosed carcinoma; in one, acute urinary retention was the first sign of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Two patients had a history compatible with prostatic hypertrophy. All had either paresthesias or sensory or motor deficits on initial presentation. All three patients were left with permanent hypotonic bladders. Two patients had permanent lower extremity paresis as well.