Lesion Localisation

Question 1

Damage to which locations within the central nervous system (CNS) can result in upper motor neuron (UMN) bladder dysfunction?

Answer 1

Thoracolumbar spinal cord, cerebrum, cerebellum or brain stem.

Question 2

Damage to which locations within the nervous system can result in lower motor neuron (LMN) bladder dysfunction?

Answer 2

Sacral spinal cord or pelvic nerve.

Detrusor muscle atony.

Question 3

A cat has a firm, distended bladder on abdominal palpation which is difficult to express manually. Which of the following diseases could cause this clinical finding?
A) Cerebral tumour.
B) Proximal tail fracture.
C) L3 fracture.
D) Detrusor atony secondary to dysauntonomia.

Answer 3

A and C.

UMN bladder signs.

Question 4

A horse presents with urine scalding of both pelvic limbs. On rectal palpation a full bladder is identified which empties easily of urine when the bladder is manually compressed. The horse had a history of prior spinal cord trauma following a racing accident. At which level of the spinal cord did the trauma most-likely occur?

Answer 4

The sacral spinal cord.

LMN bladder signs.