Addressing Neurogenic Bladder: Understanding Prevalence, Unmet Needs, and Effective Management

Tamara Kaplan, MD, introduces a new video series highlighting the scope and treatment of neurogenic bladder.

Panelist discusses how the neuroanatomy of bladder function involves a sophisticated interplay between autonomic and somatic nervous systems. The bladder is controlled by parasympathetic nerves (S2-S4) for detrusor contraction, sympathetic nerves (T11-L2) for sphincter control, and somatic nerves for voluntary control via the pudendal nerve. This complex coordination enables both automatic storage and voluntary voiding through reciprocal innervation.

Panelist discusses how bladder dysfunction in neurological conditions requires attention, as it significantly affects patient quality of life and can indicate disease progression or complications. Neurologists face challenges in diagnosis and treatment due to overlapping symptoms, complex neural pathways involved, and the need to differentiate between multiple potential causes.

Panelist discusses how a detailed patient history is critical for neurological lesion localization, helping physicians map symptoms to specific anatomical regions. Key bladder-related history focuses on urinary urgency, frequency, retention, and incontinence patterns, as these symptoms often indicate specific spinal cord or brain lesion locations that affect autonomic function.

Panelist discusses how neurogenic bladder in neurological conditions manifests distinctly based on lesion location. Patients with multiple sclerosis typically experience detrusor overactivity and sphincter dyssynergia, leading to urgency and retention. Parkinson disease commonly presents with overactive bladder symptoms and nocturia due to impaired basal ganglia control. Cauda equina syndrome and lumbar disc herniation often result in detrusor areflexia and decreased sensation, causing retention and overflow incontinence.

Panelist discusses how treatment options for neurogenic bladder include pharmacological approaches such as anticholinergics, localized interventions such as botulinum toxin injections, and neuromodulation techniques (posterior tibial and sacral nerve stimulation). Surgery serves as a last resort when conservative treatments fail.

Panelist discusses how a neurologist typically manages neurogenic bladder when it stems directly from neurological conditions, they’re already treating but that they should refer to urology for complex cases requiring specialized urologic interventions, when conservative management fails, or when there are complications such as recurrent urinary tract infections or structural changes. Close collaboration between both specialists often provides optimal patient care.

Panelist discusses how managing bladder and sexual dysfunction in neurological care requires addressing access barriers, fostering open communication, recognizing symptom overlap, understanding medication adverse effects, and providing gender-specific care.