Vesicourethral pressure recordings in the assessment of neurogenic bladder functions in spinal cord injury patients.

A method of synchronous study for monitoring the pressure activity of the rectum, bladder and urethral sphincter was described. Intrarectal pressures were obtained using a 8 F custom made balloon catheter. Constant urethral infusion with intrasphincteric pressure recording was arranged through a specially designed 12 F trilumen catheter. Simultaneous intravesical infusion and independent bladder pressure recording were conducted through two other channels of this catheter. This radiologic-aided study was used for functional evaluation of the bladder and its outlet. The physical factors, such as urethral infusion flow-rate, and the compliance of the infusion catheter hydraulic system governing the interpretation of the study during voiding and nonvoiding states, were described. With an experience of 145 studies on spinal cord injury patients and normal subjects, this method has been found to be a useful clinical urodynamic technique well suited even to a nonambulatory spinal cord injury patient.