Uronephrological outcomes of patients with neural tube defects. Does a spina bifida clinic make a difference?

OBJECTIVE: To review the uronephrological outcomes of myelomeningocele (MMC) patients attending a Spina Bifida Clinic. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients from the combined Spina Bifida Clinic, at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 1999 and 2009 who had at least one year of follow-up with us. We examined their demographic data, uronephrological status at presentation, most recent follow-up, and the rate of surgical intervention. RESULTS: During the 10-year period, 188 patients were actively followed-up. The mean age at presentation was 5.3 years +/- 3.6 SD. At their last follow-up, 109 patients (58%) were using clean intermittent catheterization, 44 (23%) had received Botox injections, and 26 (14%) had undergone bladder reconstruction. Most (66%) patients were older than 3 years when they presented to us; this group had a significantly higher rate of surgical intervention (Botox or reconstruction) compared with those who came to us earlier (p=0.003 for patients receiving Botox injections, and p=0.025 for patients undergoing bladder reconstruction). CONCLUSION: Our multidisciplinary Spina Bifida Clinic is an integral part of MCC management to reach a safe urological outcome. Early presentations to our clinic resulted in a lesser need for surgical intercession compared with those who presented at more than 3 years old.

Total endoscopic and anal irrigation management approach to noncompliant neuropathic bladder in children: a good alternative.

PURPOSE: We prospectively evaluated the efficacy and durability of combined intradetrusor botulinum-A toxin and endoscopic treatment for vesicoureteral reflux with anal irrigation as a total endoscopic and anal irrigation management approach. This minimally invasive protocol is used to manage myelomeningocele and noncompliant bladder in children who do not respond to standard conservative therapy and have urine and stool incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten females and 3 males with a mean +/- SD age of 5.3 +/- 2.5 years with myelomeningocele and vesicoureteral reflux who did not respond to standard conservative treatment were prospectively included in this study. All had at least 1 year of followup. All patients received a cystoscopic intradetrusor injection of 12 U/kg (maximum 300 U) botulinum-A toxin into an infection-free bladder. Vesicoureteral reflux in a total of 20 refluxing ureters, including bilateral vesicoureteral reflux in 7 patients, showed no resolution on pretreatment voiding cystourethrogram. Thus, we administered a submucosal Deflux injection. Since most patients were still diaper dependent due to stool incontinence, we extended management to include complete bowel rehabilitation with the new Peristeen anal irrigation system to manage stool incontinence. RESULTS: Mean maximum bladder capacity increased significantly from 75 +/- 35 to 150 +/- 45 ml after 1 month (p <0.02), to 151 +/- 48 after 6 months (p <0.002) and to 136 +/- 32 after 1 year (p <000). Maximum detrusor pressure decreased significantly from 58 +/- 14 to 36 +/- 9 cm H(2)O after 1 month (p <0.001), to 39 +/- 9 after 6 months (p <0.001) and to 38 +/- 6 after 1 year (p = 000). Of 20 refluxing ureters (95%) completely resolved, including 1 after attempt 2, and 1 with grade V vesicoureteral reflux remained unchanged despite 2 attempts. Seven of 8 urinary incontinent patients (87.5%) attained complete dryness between catheterizations and 1 partially improved. Ten of 13 patients achieved stool dryness with anal irrigation 1 to 2 times weekly. Three patients who were stool continent on standard enemas did not require this irrigation system. CONCLUSIONS: This new total endoscopic and anal irrigation management approach is a comprehensive, minimally invasive, safe, simple, effective way to achieve most goals when treating these patients by protecting the upper tract, maintaining the bladder at safe pressure and providing a satisfactory social life with satisfactory urine and stool continence.

Spontaneous bladder rupture in a non-augmented neuropathic bladder.

A spontaneous bladder rupture in an intact bladder without history of trauma has been reported before with different postulation for the pathogenesis. All these cases were reported in the adult age group. Patients with a neuropathic bladder associated with such a complication were post augmentation cystoplasty or catheter induced injury. We present our experience in a boy with a neuropathic bladder secondary to spina bifida who had a spontaneous bladder rupture with no surgical intervention carried out before, and discuss the possible pathogenesis.

Spontaneous bladder rupture in a non-augmented neuropathic bladder.

A spontaneous bladder rupture in an intact bladder without history of trauma has been reported before with different postulation for the pathogenesis. All these cases were reported in the adult age group. Patients with a neuropathic bladder associated with such a complication were post augmentation cystoplasty or catheter induced injury. We present our experience in a boy with a neuropathic bladder secondary to spina bifida who had a spontaneous bladder rupture with no surgical intervention carried out before, and discuss the possible pathogenesis.

Factors affecting cerebrospinal fluid shunt revision rate in children at King Khalid University Hospital.

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