Study design: A retrospective study. Objectives: To investigate the risk factors of vesicoureteral reflux in the early stage of spinal cord injury. Setting: Japan. Methods: Urological evaluation, including cystography and urodynamic study was performed in patients in the early stage of spinal cord injury. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 13 patients with vesicoureteral reflux. Group 2 included 97 patients without vesicoureteral reflux. We compared Group 1 and Group 2 regarding bladder deformation, the level of spinal cord injury, bladder behaviour, bladder compliance, high urethral closure pressure and method of urine evacuation. Results: The patients injured between Th10 and L2 showed a significantly higher incidence of vesicoureteral reflux than those injured in other areas (P<0.01). Furthermore, bladder compliance among patients with vesicoureteral reflux tended to be low. Other factors showed no differences between patients with and without vesicoureteral reflux. Conclusion: Injuries between Th10 and L2 involve the sympathetic nervous system. Patients with such injuries often exhibited vesicoureteral reflux in the early stage of spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord (2001) 39, 23 – 25.
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