[Residual urine after intermittent catheterization in patients with spinal cord injuries]

Residual urine following catheterization was studied using ultrasonography (Ultramark II Scientific Medical System) in 12 patients with spinal cord injury, for an average of four months (range 3-7 months) after time of injury. All patients were examined three times. Urinary tract infections were also registered, and the functional type of the urinary bladder was identified by cystometric examination. Ultrasonography showed residual urine volumes after 25 of a total of 36 catheterizations (70%). In seven of these catheterizations the residual urine volume exceeded 50 ml, and in two cases was more than 100 ml. None of the patients had a residual urinary volume of more than 50 ml after all three catheterizations, but in all but two patients, some residual urine volume was found after at least one of the catheterizations. Low and non-significant correlations were found between residual volume and frequency of urinary tract infections. It is possible that even small residual urine volumes after catheterization may predispose for urinary tract infections in these patients.