Prostatic suppuration and destruction in patients with myelodysplasia: a newly recognized entity.

Prostatic abscess is an unusual occurrence in the era of modern antibiotics. In 5 patients with myelodysplasia extravasation of contrast material to the boundaries of the prostate was noted on voiding cystourethrography. All patients were adolescents who, with varying degrees of compliance, had managed the neurogenic bladder with intermittent catheterization since childhood. All patients had chronic urinary tract infections. In 2 patients subjected to transurethral resection the prostatic parenchyma was completely replaced by the suppurative process. Neither patient demonstrated much clinical improvement after resection. The possible etiological factors and various therapeutic options are discussed for the previously unreported condition of chronic prostatic abscess in myelomeningocele patients.