Applications of neurostimulation for urinary storage and voiding dysfunction in neurological patients

Abstract

The application of various forms of electrical stimulation is considered a therapeutic option to manage different types of lower urinary tract dysfunction. However, even though lower urinary tract dysfunction is common in patients with neurological disease, apart from patients with spinal cord injury, electrostimulation is still not widely applied in a neurological patient population. Urologists frequently encounter patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction in their daily practice. Often, the conservative treatment modalities do not offer adequate relief of symptoms in these patients. In most cases, surgical options including transurethral stents, augmentation cystoplasty stoma or derivation surgery are considered a last resort. With this in mind, it is essential that healthcare professionals are informed about the possibilities of nerve stimulation in neurogenic patients. We review the utilization and the results of electrical stimulation by means of pudendal nerve stimulation, stimulation of the sacral nerve roots and lower limb stimulation in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG.