Purpose: Urodynamic studies (UDS) are the gold standard for evaluating pediatric lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). However, previous studies have shown that the interpretation of cystometric findings may vary according to the observer’s level of experience and the criteria used for evaluation. This study aimed to investigate interobserver differences in the reporting of cystometric parameters in children with spina bifida. Methods: Patients who underwent UDS between 2020 and 2025 for neurogenic LUTD secondary to spina bifida were retrospectively reviewed. Studies that did not reach 80% agreement for compliance with good urodynamic practice standards were excluded. Detrusor overactivity (DOA) and bladder compliance were independently evaluated by 4 pediatric urologists and 3 urologists experienced in neuro-urology. Agreement was assessed using Fleiss’ kappa test. Results: A total of 100 children, including 53 females and 47 males, were included; the median age was 6.5 (range, 1–17) years. Agreement of at least 80% was reached in 86% of evaluations for DOA and 82% of evaluations for compliance. Based on the ratings of 7 observers, the Fleiss’ kappa value was 0.60 for DOA, indicating moderate agreement, and 0.46 for bladder compliance, indicating weak agreement. Conclusions This study demonstrated substantial interobserver variation in the interpretation of UDS, even among experienced centers and observers. Because UDS are essential for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with spina bifida, standardized criteria are needed to improve interobserver consistency in this patient group. Multicenter prospective studies involving observers with varying levels of experience are warranted to improve concordance in UDS reporting.

PURPOSE: This was a prospective single-arm study to assess the efficacy and safety of intradetrusor injections of onabotulinum toxin-A in children with urinary incontinence associated with neurogenic detrusor overactivity due to myelomeningocele. All patients had failed the first-line treatment of a combination of oral antimuscarinics and intermittent catheterization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 31 children with myelomeningocele with a mean age of 7.95 years (range, 5-3 years) who were followed up for a mean of 29 weeks. The amount of onabotulinum toxin A injected was 10 U/kg with a maximal dose of 300 U. There were 20 to 30 injection sites with rigid cystoscopic guidance under general anesthesia. RESULTS: Thirty of 31 patients reported dryness between intermittent catheterization intervals. The mean reduction in maximum detrusor pressure and the mean increase in maximum cystometric capacity from baseline were 53% and 51.5%, respectively, 6 weeks after injection. We found a 324% increase in mean bladder compliance and a 57% increase in mean intermittent catheterization volumes. The mean duration of efficacy was 28 weeks with a single injection and 36 weeks for repeated injections (minimum, 16 weeks; maximum, 52 weeks). The mean time interval between repeated onabotulinum toxin-A injections was 7 months (maximum, 13 months). Intradetrusor injections of onabotulinum toxin-A were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Onabotulinum toxin-A injections into the bladder wall provide a significant symptomatic and urodynamic improvement in children with neurogenic detrusor overactivity due to myelomeningocele who are on intermittent catheterization. The treatment seems to be safe and very well tolerated.
Anesthesia, General ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Child* ; Compliance ; Humans ; Meningomyelocele ; Muscarinic Antagonists ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; Prospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; Urinary Incontinence* ; Urodynamics