Genitourinary tract changes in neglected patients with myelomeningocoele

ABSTRACT

The objective of this paper was to describe the bladder and sphincter urodynamic profiles and the upper tract status of patients with myelomeningocoele. This was correlated with the patients age when initially evaluated. Patients from the Spina Bifida Support Group of the Philippines who underwent initial videourodynamics when first seen were included in the study. The procedure was performed using a Laborie Avanti 4.1 model urodynamic machine. The hostile profile included bladder-sphincter dyssynergia, dyssynergic bladder neck/sphincter or leak point pressure greater than 35 cm H2O. The non-hostile picture included areflexic bladder and sphincter, open or areflexic sphincter or leak point pressure less than 35 cm H2O. The upper tracts were also assessed for the presence of hydronephrosis or vesicoureteral reflux There were 83 myelomeningocoele patients who underwent screening videourodynamics. Their ages ranged from 2 months to 19 years. Fifty one patients presented with hostile bladder sphincter profile while 32 patients presented with non-hostile features. Among the patients with hostile features, 37 manifested with hydronephrosis and/or vesicoureteral reflux. Three patients already presented with renal failure. Beyond 2 years old, 34 patients showed hostile bladder sphincter profile. Sixteen patients already presented with hydronephrosis and/or reflux after the age of 5 years. Renal failure was manifested by older children, all exhibited hostile bladder sphincter features and upper tract deterioration. These data showed a positive correlation of age, hostile profile and upper tract changes in patients with myelomengocoele