Study of Ultrasound-Guided Urethral Balloon Dilation to Improve Urinary Retention in Adults with Spinal Cord Injury

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate whether ultrasound-guided urethral balloon dilation can improve bladder emptying function and reduce residual urine in patients with urinary retention after spinal cord injury. The study compares this procedure combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy against rehabilitation therapy alone to assess its safety and impact on quality of life. The trial focuses on adults with spinal cord injury-related urinary retention confirmed by imaging and clinical criteria. Participants in the experimental group will receive ultrasound-guided urethral balloon dilation three times, where a catheter balloon is gradually expanded under ultrasound to relax the urethral sphincter, combined with standard rehabilitation therapies like acupuncture, pelvic floor electrical stimulation, and muscle training. The control group will receive only conventional rehabilitation therapy, including intermittent catheterization and pelvic floor exercises, for 1 to 2 weeks. Treatment sessions last about 5 minutes each with close monitoring. Throughout the study, participants will keep a detailed urinary diary recording urine output, leakage, and catheterization frequency. Residual urine volume will be measured daily for 3 days before and after treatment. Researchers will assess bladder function, quality of life, urinary symptoms, and mood using validated questionnaires before and shortly after the intervention. Safety and clinical outcomes will be tracked during the trial period ending in May 2026.

Effect of Urethral Balloon Dilatation on Urinary Retention After Spinal Cord Injury