Evaluation and Long-term Management of Neurogenic Bladder in Spinal Dysraphism

Abstract

Spinal dysraphism, which includes conditions such as myelomeningocele and sacral agenesis, is one of the most common causes of congenital lower urinary tract dysfunction. Early evaluation of the neurogenic bladder serves to minimize renal damage, and the main goals of management include preserving renal function, achieving acceptable continence, and optimizing quality of life. The survival of patients with such conditions has improved to greater than 80% reaching adulthood, owing to advances in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. The result is a real, and unfortunately often unmet, need for successful transitional care in this complex patient population. Clinicians must be able to identify the unique challenges encountered by patients with neurogenic bladder as they shift through different stages of their life.