Pattern of Voiding Dysfunction after Acute Brainstem Infarction

• Published in: European neurology Vol. 70; no. 5-6; pp. 291 - 296
• Main Authors: Yum, Kyu Sun, Na, Sang-Jun, Lee, Kyung-Yul, Kim, Jihoon, Oh, Seung Hun, Kim, Yong-Duk, Yoon, Bora, Heo, Ji Hoe, Lee, Kee Ook
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Brain Stem Infarctions - complications; Brain Stem Infarctions - pathology; Brain Stem Infarctions - physiopathology; Female; Humans; Male; Medulla Oblongata - pathology; Medulla Oblongata - physiopathology; Middle Aged; Original Paper; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - etiology; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - pathology; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - physiopathology; Pons - pathology; Pons - physiopathology; Stroke - pathology; Stroke - physiopathology; Urination Disorders - etiology; Urination Disorders - pathology; Urination Disorders - physiopathology; Urodynamic study; Voiding dysfunction; Brainstem infarction
• ISSN: 0014-3022; 1421-9913; 1421-9913
• DOI: 10.1159/000352040

Background: The purpose of this study is to compare the patterns of voiding dysfunction according to the locations of brainstem lesions. Methods: Between November 2008 and December 2011, a total of 30 patients participated in this study. All 30 subjects, consisting of 16 men and 14 women, aged between 41 and 82 years (mean age, 63.0 ± 11.0 years) underwent a urodynamic study within 7 days after the onset of a stroke. Results: Twenty-one (70%) patients had a pontine lesion and 9 (30%) had a medullary lesion. Fourteen of these patients (46.7%) had bladder storage disorder, 7 patients (23.3%) had bladder emptying disorder, and 9 patients (30%) had a normal report. Five of the patients who had a medullary lesion (55.6%) had bladder emptying disorder, whereas only 2 patients who had a pontine lesion (9.5%) had bladder emptying disorder. Thirteen patients who had a pontine lesion (61.9%) showed bladder storage disorder. Discussion: The descending pathway from the midbrain tegmentum is inhibitory, and the pathway from the pontine tegmentum is stimulatory. Because of their location pontine lesions could disrupt the descending fibers of the midbrain tegmentum and medullary lesions could disrupt the descending fibers of the pontine tegmentum.