Sacral neuromodulation in congenital lumbo-sacral and traumatic spinal cord defects with neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms: a single-center experience in children and adolescents

Successful sacral neuromodulation treatment of refractory faecal incontinence in a patient with spina bifida and partial sacral agenesis

A woman in her early 20s with a history of lumbosacral lipomyelomeningocele with associated partial sacral agenesis and tethered cord was referred for possible sacral neuromodulation treatment of her refractory faecal incontinence. Anorectal testing revealed a thinned and weakened anal sphincter complex with absent left-sided bulbocavernosus and anal wink reflexes.Through a two-stage approach, she underwent successful placement of a chronic tined quadripolar sacral nerve lead and implanted pulse generator. Despite significant distortion of normal bony anatomic landmarks, bilateral S3 and S4 foraminal entry was possible, with intraoperative motor and sensory testing providing key confirmation of appropriate lead placement. The patient had a substantial improvement in her baseline frequency and urgency with a near-complete resolution of faecal incontinence episodes during her test phase.

Effects of electroacupuncture on pediatric chronic urinary retention: a case-series study

Objectives

This study aims to preliminarily evaluate the effect and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) in treating pediatric chronic urinary retention (CUR) following lumbosacral surgeries, with treatment duration evaluated.

Methods

This prospective case-series study was performed from August 5, 2017, to July 31, 2022. Pediatric patients diagnosed with CUR following lumbosacral surgeries were included and treated by EA for 2-16 weeks. Responders were defined as participants achieving a reduction of 50% or more in post void residuals (PVR) from baseline. Time-to-event analysis was applied to explore the association between EA treatment duration and response rate. Adverse event was recorded.

Results

Totally 14 participants (mean [SD] age, 12 [4] years) completed EA treatment. Response rate was 71% (10/14) at the 12th week. 50% (7/14) of participants removed catheters at the 12th week, and none of them experienced re-catheterization in the 24-week follow-up. No serious adverse event was reported. Time-to-event analysis estimated that over 50% patients could respond to EA of more than 8 weeks. Subgroup analysis showed that participants with baseline PVR ≥300 ml and CUR duration ≥12 months experienced longer EA duration to reach the response rate of 50%, compared with those whose PVR <300 ml and CUR duration <12 months (median value: 12 weeks vs. 8 weeks, 12 weeks vs. 4 weeks, respectively).

Conclusions

EA could reduce PVR for pediatric patients suffering from CUR following lumbosacral surgeries, with long-term efficacy and safety. EA treatment of more than 8 weeks was reasonable. Further study of a larger sample and controlling is needed.

Clinical Trial Registration

www.chictr.org.cn, identifier, ChiCTR1800020222.

[Chronic sacral neuromodulation for pelvic floor dysfunction in children with spina bifida]

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the effectiveness of chronic sacral neurostimulation for neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction in children with spina bifida.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eight patients with spina bifida and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction underwent surgical treatment. Three patients had detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia and urinary incontinence. Five patients had detrusor overactivity and urine retention. Conservative treatment was failed in all cases. We implanted quadripolar test electrode on the S3 root through Tuohy needle under fluoroscopic control. Test stimulation was ineffective in three children with detrusor overactivity. Five patients with positive response to stimulation underwent implantation of chronic neurostimulation system. We estimated the efficacy of neurostimulation considering symptoms of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction, urinary diary, PAD test and complex urodynamic examination data.

RESULTS

Positive clinical effects were observed in 3 patients with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia and 2 patients with detrusor overactivity. Clinical effect included improvement in urine leakage and higher bladder volume. In patients with urinary retention, we revealed voluntary urination and less number of daily catheterization procedures. In one patient, clinical effect of chronic stimulation regressed within 3 month after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Preliminary results of chronic sacral neuromodulation confirmed its advisability in children with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. Patients with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia had better results compared to those with detrusor overactivity.

Urodynamic evaluation of bladder function in patients with urinary incontinence secondary to congenital tethered cord syndrome after homogeneous spinal-shortening axial decompression procedure

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of homogeneous spinal-shortening axial decompression procedure (HSAD) on bladder function in patients with spina bifida tethered syndrome.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients with tethered spinal cord syndrome were collected prospectively, and all patients were treated with lumbar HSAD. Patients' urodynamic evaluation mainly included detrusor function, sphincter function, sphincter coordination (Ig TLR, ratio of tension and loose of urethral sphincter), and bladder compliance. Meanwhile, all patients were followed up with ICI-Q-SF, SF-12, and Rantala scores.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients were included, with the average age of 27 ± 16 years. At the final follow-up, patients' detrusor function, sphincter function, sphincter coordination, and bladder compliance, were all improved dramatically (all P < 0.01). The preoperative SF-12 score, ICQ, and Rantala score were [52.16 ± 5.64, 14.11 ± 5.25, 7.84 ± 4.87], whereas the postoperative mean was [33.53 ± 3.53, 9.05 ± 4.89, 15 ± 3.77] (P < 0.01, respectively). According to objective evaluation, 16.7% of them recovered to normal. According to the subjective evaluation, 25% of the patients returned to normal. Only one patient (4.2%) deteriorated. Limitations include none-randomized controlled design and limited patient samples.

CONCLUSIONS

The HSAD can significantly restore the bladder function in patients with long-term urinary incontinence.

Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of Sacral Neuromodulation (SNM) in Patients with Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction (nLUTD): Over 20 Years' Experience and Future Directions

INTRODUCTION

Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has been used in carefully selected patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunctions (nLUTD) for over two decades.

METHODS

The aim of the current work was to perform a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of studies reporting the safety and effectiveness of SNM in patients with nLUTD (neurogenic detrusor overactivity, non-obstructive urinary retention, or a combination of both). For this purpose a systematic literature research was conducted using Embase (OvidSP), MEDLINE (OvidSP), MEDLINE In-Process Citations & Daily Update (OvidSP), MEDLINE (OvidSP) e-Pub ahead of print, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), NIH Clinicaltrials.gov, and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) between 1998 and March 2020, supplemented by a hand search.

RESULTS

Forty-seven studies were included in the systematic literature review. Twenty-one studies comprising a total of 887 patients were included in the meta-analysis of test SNM. The pooled success rate of SNM test stimulation was 66.2% (95% CI 56.9-74.4). Depending on neurogenic conditions test success rates varied greatly. Twenty-four studies with a total of 428 patients were included in the meta-analysis of permanent SNM. The success rate of pooled permanent SNM was 84.2% (95% CI 77.8-89.0). Among the identified studies, the most common adverse events (AEs) were loss of effectiveness, infection, pain at implant site, and lead migration with AE rates of 4.7%, 3.6%, 3.2%, and 3.2%, respectively. Limitations entail lower level of evidence (Oxford classification 3-4) of included studies, significant risk of bias, small sample sizes in some studies, the inclusion of retrospective case series, substantial between-study heterogeneity, heterogeneous patient populations, insufficient disease classification, and variations in terms of outcome parameters as well as techniques. Furthermore, long-term data are limited.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis supports not only the benefits of permanent SNM for various nLUTDs but also high overall success rates, similar to idiopathic patients. Current data of the analyzed studies showed that SNM is safe for these patients. However, more vigorous studies and/or registries are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn.

Safety of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in patients under Sacral Neuromodulation with an InterStim Neuromodulator

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively investigate the safety of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients under sacral neuromodulation (InterStim II).

METHODS

Data of patients who received a sacral neuromodulator at the urological department of a Swiss center of tertiary care from 2007 to 2018 and subsequently received at least 1 MRI with implanted device were retrospectively analyzed. Patient characteristics, data on implantation, MRI characteristics and complications potentially related to the MRI were analyzed. In addition, patient interviews were performed to verify the data gathered from patient records.

RESULTS

A total of 55 consecutive patients with a median age of 48 years (range 16 - 80 years) and a total of 191 MRIs (median 3, range 1 - 13) were included to the study. The majority of MRIs (92%) were performed with 1.5 Tesla. The majority of the 1.5 Tesla (58%) as well as 3 Tesla (56%) MRIs assessed body regions other than the head. Complication possibly related to the MRI were only found in 2 (1%) MRI scans in two patients who reported on transient electrifying pain and heat sensation at the implantation site of the neuromodulator during MRI.

CONCLUSION

MRI scans in patients with an implanted InterStim II sacral neuromodulator and with the device being turned off seem to be safe, even if they involve body regions other than the head, at least with 1.5 Tesla.

The Effect of Sacral Neuromodulation in Ambulatory Spina Bifida Patients with Neurogenic Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in ambulatory spina bifida patients with neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 29 ambulatory spina bifida patients with neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction who underwent SNM testing from July 2012 to January 2020. Clinical data and video-urodynamic parameters were collected and compared using the t-test and the chi-square test. The potential risk factors were considered by logistic regression analysis. P < .05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

In the test phase, 21 patients (72.4%) achieved successful improvement of at least 1 symptom. The success rate for chronic urinary retention (26.09%) was significantly lower (P <.05) than that for urgency-frequency syndrome (58.82%) and urinary incontinence (56.25%). The mean neurogenic bowel dysfunction score decreased from 13.3±6.29 to 6.9±5.09 (P <.0001). The urodynamic evaluation showed a significant improvement in the mean maximum cystometric capacity, compliance, and maximum detrusor pressure (P <.05). Implantation was performed in 16 cases (55.17%). The analysis of the risk factors showed that chronic urinary retention was a statistically significant variable (P <.05). No complications were reported in the test phase. The average follow-up time was 41.19±33.06 months. Two patients changed to intermittent catheterization, and 2 patients changed to augmentation cystoplasty.

CONCLUSION

SNM is effective for neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction in patients with ambulatory spina bifida, especially in those without chronic urinary retention. And SNM can also significantly improve the urodynamic parameters of these patients during the storage period.

Is there a role for sacral neuromodulation in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction?

PURPOSE

To review current literature regarding sacral neuromodulation (SNM) for neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) focused on indications, barriers and latest technological developments.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A PubMed database search was performed in April 2020, focusing on SNM and various neuro-urological conditions.

RESULTS

SNM has been increasingly indicated for lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) in neuro-urological patients. Most studies are cases series with several methodological limitations and limited follow-up, lacking standardized definition for SNM clinical success. Most series focused on neurogenic overactive bladder in spinal cord injured (incomplete lesions) and multiple sclerosis patients. Barriers for applying this therapy in neurogenic LUTD were mainly related to magnetic resonance imaging incompatibility, size of the implantable pulse generator (IPG), and battery depletion. Newer technological advances have been made to address these limitations and will be widely available in the near future.

CONCLUSIONS

SNM seems a promising therapy for neurogenic LUTD in carefully selected patients with incomplete lesions. Further studies are still needed to define which subgroups of neurological patients benefit the most from this minimally invasive technique.

What Is New in Neuromodulation?

Neuromodulation encompassing sacral and peripheral modalities is an established, effective, and safe higher-order treatment option approved in the USA for managing refractory overactive bladder, non-obstructive urinary retention, and fecal incontinence. This review highlights the most recent literature, indications, treatment durability, and the latest innovations in this field. Regarding sacral neuromodulation (SNM), recent work suggests improved parameters for optimal lead placement, increased data to support the lasting effects of treatment, and novel applications of this technology to other pelvic disorders. In addition, there are emerging technologies with smaller MRI compatible devices. Newer data on percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) suggests it may be more beneficial for certain patients. With new technology, implantable tibial nerve stimulators are ushering in a new frontier of nerve stimulation in the comfort of the patient's home.