RESUMO
The incidence of acute urinary retention in females is very low but the causes are diverse. So, it is important to verify the causative diseases trough history taking, physical examination including neurologic tests and it is essential to find adequate therapeutic modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We experienced 45 female patients who visited under the chief complaint of acute urinary retention and reviewed, evaluated retrospectively or prospectively during 4 years. The patients are divided 1) transient causes: immobilization after surgery, constipation, medications, herpes zoster, psychogenic causes 2) neurologic causes: cerebral concussion, peripheral neuropathy, brain tumor, herniated nucleus pulposus, spinal cord injury, previously undiagnosed diabetes 3) pelvic causes: difficult labor, uterine prolapse,, pelvic bone tumor, vaginal invasion of rectal cancer, imperforate hymen. RESULTS: Screening test were done through physical examination, history taking, routine urinalysis. Most patients recovered voiding after correction of underlying diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The patients who showed persistent retention were further evaluated through neurologic tests, urodynamics, pelvic ultrasonography and serious diseases as blain tumor, polyneuritis, metastaic pelvic bone tumor were diagnosed.