Botulinum toxin injections for neurogenic bladder

  Neurogenic bladder due to various spinal cord pathologies is one of the major dysfunctions that plague patients with spinal cord injury. Patients present with dyspareunia, dysuria and urinary incontinence. Most patients require repeated intermittent catheterization 4-6 times a day for long periods of time, which severely affects the quality of life.  Patients with urodynamic examination that reveals spasm of the external urethral sphincter and synergistic dysfunction of the detrusor sphincter can be treated with botulinum toxin injections of the external urethral sphincter via the rectum to reduce urethral pressure, thereby improving urinary function and reducing residual urine volume and frequency of catheterization. This technique has been performed in our department and has helped some patients to solve their urinary problems.