Korean J Urol.  1998 Jan;39(1):87-90.

The Etiology and Management of Female Urinary Retention

• Kim DY
• Kim KB

Abstract

The incidence of acute urinary retention in females is very low but the causes are diverse. So, it is important to verify the causative diseases trough history taking, physical examination including neurologic tests and it is essential to find adequate therapeutic modalities.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We experienced 45 female patients who visited under the chief complaint of acute urinary retention and reviewed, evaluated retrospectively or prospectively during 4 years. The patients are divided 1) transient causes: immobilization after surgery, constipation, medications, herpes zoster, psychogenic causes 2) neurologic causes: cerebral concussion, peripheral neuropathy, brain tumor, herniated nucleus pulposus, spinal cord injury, previously undiagnosed diabetes 3) pelvic causes: difficult labor, uterine prolapse,, pelvic bone tumor, vaginal invasion of rectal cancer, imperforate hymen.
RESULTS
Screening test were done through physical examination, history taking, routine urinalysis. Most patients recovered voiding after correction of underlying diseases.
CONCLUSIONS
The patients who showed persistent retention were further evaluated through neurologic tests, urodynamics, pelvic ultrasonography and serious diseases as blain tumor, polyneuritis, metastaic pelvic bone tumor were diagnosed.

Keyword

Acute urinary retention; Transient causes; Neurologic tests; Urodynamics

MeSH Terms

Brain Concussion
Brain Neoplasms
Constipation
Female*
Herpes Zoster
Humans
Hymen
Immobilization
Incidence
Mass Screening
Neuritis
Pelvic Bones
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
Physical Examination
Prospective Studies
Rectal Neoplasms
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Cord Injuries
Ultrasonography
Urinalysis
Urinary Retention*
Urodynamics
Uterine Prolapse