Correlation of upper and lower urinary tract function in patients with neurogenic bladder: evaluation using simultaneous measurement of cystometry and diuresis renography with full and empty bladder.

Diuresis renography and water filling cystometry were simultaneously performed with the bladder full and with the bladder empty. The findings of diuresis renography with a full bladder were compared with those of diuresis renography with an empty bladder, in 9 patients (4 male and 5 female, mean 24.4 years old) with neurogenic bladder dysfunction. According to O'Reilly's classification, the findings of diuresis renography with a full bladder were significantly worse than those of diuresis renography with an empty bladder, regardless of cystometry patterns and bladder compliance. These results suggest that in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction, a full bladder in itself can cause deterioration of the upper urinary tracts, regardless of bladder pressure and bladder compliance.