Spinal Cord Research Help
AboutCategoriesLatest ResearchContact
Subscribe
Spinal Cord Research Help

Making Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Research Accessible to Everyone. Simplified summaries of the latest research, designed for patients, caregivers and anybody who's interested.

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About
  • Categories
  • Latest Research
  • Disclaimer

Contact

  • Contact Us
© 2025 Spinal Cord Research Help

All rights reserved.

  1. Home
  2. Research
  3. Urology
  4. Implantable Neuromodulation for Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction: A Single-Institution Retrospective Study

Implantable Neuromodulation for Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction: A Single-Institution Retrospective Study

International Neurourology Journal, 2024 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.5213/inj.2448144.122 · Published: December 31, 2024

UrologyNeurology

Simple Explanation

Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) results from neurological issues, impacting bladder control. Symptoms vary depending on the specific neurological problem, including overactive bladder, loss of coordination, and retention. Typical treatments include medications and injections; however, neuromodulation, which involves implantable devices to stimulate nerves, is emerging as another option, even for those with neurological disorders. This study reviews the use of sacral and pudendal neuromodulation in patients with neurogenic bladder at a single hospital, examining patient outcomes and symptom changes following the treatment.

Study Duration
2008 to 2020
Participants
82 patients with neurologic diagnoses and neurogenic bladder
Evidence Level
Retrospective chart review

Key Findings

  • 1
    Neuromodulation, both sacral and pudendal, is a feasible and effective treatment option for NLUTD, with a significant percentage of patients experiencing symptom improvement.
  • 2
    The most common neurologic diagnoses in the study population were diabetic cystopathy, spinal surgery, and spinal cord injury.
  • 3
    Pudendal neuromodulation demonstrated similar or improved efficacy compared to sacral neuromodulation in select patients, particularly those with abnormal sacral anatomy or significant pelvic pain.

Research Summary

This retrospective study investigates the effectiveness of implantable neuromodulation for patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) at a single institution from 2008 to 2020. The study found that neuromodulation, including both sacral and pudendal approaches, can be a viable treatment option for NLUTD, with a high percentage of patients progressing to stage 2 IPG placement after experiencing significant symptom improvement. While the study acknowledges limitations such as its retrospective nature and small sample size, it concludes that neuromodulation should be considered for patients with NLUTD, warranting further research with prospective designs and larger cohorts.

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

Consider neuromodulation as a treatment option for patients with NLUTD, especially those who have not responded well to traditional therapies.

Treatment Strategy

Pudendal neuromodulation can be considered for patients with specific conditions like abnormal sacral anatomy or pelvic pain.

Future Research

Further research is needed to validate these findings, evaluate the long-term efficacy and adverse events, and identify the ideal patient population.

Study Limitations

  • 1
    Retrospective nature of the study
  • 2
    Small sample size
  • 3
    Single-institution setting

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Urology