Residual bladder dysfunction 2 to 10 years after acute transverse myelitis

J Paediatr Child Health. 1999 Oct;35(5):476-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1754.1999.355411.x.

Abstract

Objective: Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is a relatively rare condition in children. The recovery rate is reported to be generally complete. In the current study, the long-term urological outcome of children with ATM was assessed.

Methodology: The medical records of children with ATM admitted to Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, over the last 15 years, were reviewed.

Results: The median age of the five children with ATM at the time of onset was 6 years (range = 2-12 years). The median length of follow up was 5 years (2-10 years). Four children recovered completely from paraparesis; two had no urinary symptoms with normal micturition. However, video-urodynamic studies 3 years after the acute onset revealed that four out of the five children, including one without any urinary symptom, suffered from residual bladder dysfunction - two from contractile neurogenic bladder and two from intermediate type of neurogenic bladder.

Conclusion: Residual bladder dysfunction is common in children suffering from ATM despite improvement of paraparesis and apparent lack of urological symptoms. Long-term follow up of urological function in these patients is recommended.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myelitis, Transverse / complications*
  • Paraparesis / diagnosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Urinary Bladder Diseases / diagnosis
  • Urinary Bladder Diseases / etiology*
  • Urinary Bladder Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Urodynamics