Review of neurogenic bladder in multiple sclerosis

Neurologic involvement of the urinary bladder and urethral sphincter in multiple sclerosis has been known for some time. Thirty-one patients with a proved diagnosis of multiple sclerosis were evaluated urologically for symptoms of urinary incontinence, retention, or urinary tract infection. On initial presentation, 27 (74 per cent) were found to have neurogenic bladders of which 23 (85 per cent) were of the uninhibited type. Electromyography of the periurethral striated muscle revealed vesicosphincter incoordination in 9 of the 19 patients studied. Approximately one-half of the patients with uninhibited bladders had uncoordinated sphincters. Modalities of treatment are discussed.