Sphincter symptoms in MS

Q: If sphincter symptoms occur in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), which is more common? (select one) 

 A) rectal

B) urinary 

Answer: B 

The spectrum of clinical symptoms is wide in MS patients, including sensory disturbance, motor weakness, visual disturbance, imbalance, fatigue, or cognitive difficulty. Patients may present with unilateral optic neuritis, painless diplopia, ataxia with gaze-evoked nystagmus, vertigo, unilateral facial numbness, or paroxysmal episodes of dysarthria or vertigo. 

In patients with partial transverse myelitis, Brown-Sequard syndrome occurs, causing sphincter symptoms, erectile dysfunction (males), and urinary urge incontinence. 

Rectal sphincter symptoms, though occur, are relatively less common.

 #neurology 

 References: 

 

1. Fingerman JS, Finkelstein LH. The overactive bladder in multiple sclerosis. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2000 Mar;100(3 Suppl):S9-12. PMID: 10763312. 

 2. McCombe PA, Gordon TP, Jackson MW. Bladder dysfunction in multiple sclerosis. Expert Rev Neurother. 2009 Mar;9(3):331-40. doi: 10.1586/14737175.9.3.331. PMID: 19271942. 

 3. Nicholas R, Young C, Friede T. Bladder symptoms in multiple sclerosis: a review of pathophysiology and management. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2010 Nov;9(6):905-15. doi: 10.1517/14740338.2010.501793. PMID: 20569078.