A new approach to retrograde urethrography in patients with spinal cord injury

Retrograde urethrography (RU) is the preferred imaging method for assessing the morphological state of the urethra. Clinicians sometimes encounter unexpected difficulties when performing retrograde urethrography in a patient with traumatic spinal cord disease (TSCD). The features of the diagnostic approach to pathological changes of the urethra in spinal patients are highlighted. A modification of retrograde urethrography using two-stage contrast is presented. The study was performed in 40 patients with TSCD with suspected urethral stenosis or damage to the urethra. The progress of implementation and the results achieved on visualization of the posterior urethra are described. When performing the RU with modification, it was possible to obtain convincing data for the presence of changes in the prostatic and membranous parts of the urethra, as well as to differentiate them from the spasm of the striated sphincter. The presented modification of the RU is simple, effective and well tolerated by patients. It can be used routinely in all patients with TSCD.