Bethanechol Supersensitivity Test, Rhabdosphincter Electromyography and Bulbocavernosus Reflex Latency in the Diagnosis of Neuropathic Detrusor Areflexia

Sidi, Abraham A.
Dykstra, Dennis D.
Peng, Weng

From the Departments of Urologic Surgery, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Accepted November 30, 1987.

Journal of Urology 140(2):p 335-337, August 1988. | DOI: 10.1016/S0022-5347(17)41596-5

ABSTRACT

A total of 57 patients with neuropathic or nonneuropathic detrusor areflexia was studied with the bethanechol supersensitivity test, electromyography of the urethral rhabdosphincter and bulbocavernosus reflex latency. The sensitivity of these tests in detecting neuropathic areflexia was 90, 87.5 and 78.1 per cent, respectively, and the specificity was 95.6, 76 and 80 per cent, respectively. When all 3 tests were performed together the combined accuracy approached 100 per cent. These combined tests are useful in the diagnosis of patients with equivocal bladder neuropathic conditions and in those with subtle neurological lesions.