Validity of Ice Water Test in Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurogenic Bladders

Abstract

After having illustrated the physiopathological basis of the micturition reflex to cold water (a reflex tied to specific receptors and carried by type C unmyelinated fibres) the Authors report the results in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological bladder. The Ice Water Test (IWT) was carried out on 148 patients with neurological bladder resulting from traumatic lesion for diagnostic and treatment purposes and in 130 patients with neurological bladder and multiple pathogenic disorders for diagnosis and treatment and to classify hyperactive bladders. The IWT served as an aid in performing cystographic exams in 24 patients with neurological bladder. In normal control subjects the test results are always negative. Because it is simple to perform, it is considered to be a useful complement to every urodynamic examination in patients with neurological bladder or when there is difficulty in interpreting micturitional disorders.