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Minor defects of the sacrum and neurogenic bladder dysfunction
British Journal of Urology
|April 1, 1985
Summary
Minor sacral bone defects, often overlooked, are linked to urinary incontinence. Abnormalities in sacral neural arch development may indicate underlying nerve issues contributing to incontinence.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Urology
- Radiology
Background:
- Minor sacral defects are frequently observed but often disregarded.
- Urinary incontinence is a common condition with multifactorial causes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between sacral abnormalities and urinary incontinence.
- To determine if sacral bone defects correlate with neurological function.
Main Methods:
- Radiographic analysis of 100 patients with urinary incontinence.
- Assessment of sacral evoked responses to evaluate nerve function.
- Comparison of radiological findings with neurophysiological data.
Main Results:
- Sacral abnormalities were identified in 43% of patients with urinary incontinence.
- All patients with defective dorsal neural arch closure (S1 or S2) exhibited abnormal nerve studies.
- A correlation was found between sacral bone development and sacral nerve function.
Conclusions:
- Incomplete development of the upper sacrum's dorsal neural arches may serve as a marker for incomplete sacral neurogenesis.
- Subtle sacral neurological deficits, though difficult to detect, are real and potentially contribute to the pathogenesis of incontinence.