Another brain/spine lesion question

[essdipity]

My urogyn has reported bladder function problems in me that she has no explanation for other than MS. My numerous brain MRIs over the years have shown significant abnormalities. All spinal MRIs have been clear, including a cervical 3T MRI last summer, and a 1.5T thoracic one in '06. So can 'neurogenic bladder,' or some similar term, result from brain lesions?

ess

[Quixotic1]

The urinary system is controlled by one of the most complex systems in the body.  Dysfunction can result from a lesion anywhere from the the actual nerves that innervate the bladder (peripheral nervous system) to anywhere along the spinal cord, to the brain stem, to a couple areas within the brain.

Also, because no lesions are seen (even on a 3T) it does not mean that none are present.  If that was shorter, I would use it as a mantra when I meditate.

The brainstem lesion that caused my Trigeminal Neuralgia was never visualized (on a 3T), but we know it was there, nonetheless.

Q

[jensequitur]

That's what my neuro told me - that my spinal myoclonus could be caused by damage in the brain, rather than the spinal cord.  This is the guy that ordered .7T MRIs for my spine (no, I'm not bitter! ;-)

Lessee... It all seems to be connected to the 'pontine micturition center' or PMC.  That's at the top of your brainstem (the round part at the top.)  An overactive bladder is because the spine doesn't have a good connection to the PMC, so it's weak.  A bladder that doesn't want to go is because the PMC has a couple of broken connections in it.  

[Lulu54]

as the owner/operator of a bladder with a mind of its own, I appreciate this information too.  I have cervical and brain lesions - haven't looked too closely at the thoracic cord.  Mine just does what it wants to do, when it wants to do it.

thanks, L

[Salamander2]

I used to work for a GYN who did "Cystometrograms".  basically filling and emptying the bladder while hooked up to a machine that recorded the bladdder responses.  We had a patient who's bladder was filled with sterile water and she was supposed to tell the doc when it felt empty.  She felt as if her bladder was empty when it was infact 1/2 full.  That in addition to loss of eeling in the "saddle" area of her inner thighs and legs made him suspect MS.  Turns out he was right, after a full neuro work up she had positive MRI and LP.
Blessings,
Sally