autonomous bladder

Last reviewed 01/2018

Characterised by:

  • large residual volume of urine
  • no desire to micturate
  • caused by LMN cord lesions above S2,3,4

If there is a unilateral lesion then this may cause:

  • a large hypotonic bladder with large residual volume after micturation, or,
  • frequency with small volumes - due to lack of normal inhibition of bladder emptying