Alpha-adrenergic agents in urinary disorders of the proximal urethra. Part II. Urethral obstruction due to "sympathetic dyssynergia".

Lower urinary tract obstruction in patients with neurological lesions can be due to "sympathetic dyssynergia". The obstruction can be at the level of the external sphincter. Phentolamine (i.v.) used during the voiding cystourethrogram helps to make the diagnosis. Phenoxybenzamine therapy produced improvement in 10 of 18 patients. As a rule, patients had to continue on the drug to maintain their response.