Vesicourethral dysfunction is very frequent in multiple sclerosis (MS) and has functional consequences for patients' quality of life and also an organic impact following complications of the neurogenic bladder on the upper urinary tract. While the functional impact and its management are well documented in the literature, the organic impact remains underestimated and there are no consensual practical guidelines for the screening and prevention of MS neurogenic bladder complications. The aim of this review of the literature, focused on identifying the risk factors of urinary tract complications in MS, is to put forward well informed considerations to help in the definition of practical guidelines for the follow-up of the neurogenic bladder in MS in order to improve its prevention and patient management. Four main risk factors have been identified for upper urinary tract damage: the duration of MS, the presence of an indwelling catheter, high-amplitude neurogenic detrusor contractions and permanent high detrusor pressure. Detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia, age over 50 and male sex may form three additional risk factors. Recommendations for long-term urological follow-up, taking into account these specific risks are constructed according to the procedures recommended by the French Health Authorities.

Objective-To confirm the apparent effectiveness of botulinum toxin (BTX) in hemiparetic patients with ankle plantar flexor and foot invertor spasticity. Methods-Twenty three hemiparetic patients with spasticity of the ankle plantar flexors and foot invertors were included in a randomised double blind, placebo controlled study with BTX. Patients were examined on days 0, 30, 90, and 120 and received one injection of BTX and one of placebo in a random order at day 0 and day 90. Results-Patients reported a clear subjective improvement in foot spasticity after BTX (P = 0-0014) but not after placebo. Significant changes were noted in Ashworth scale values for ankle extensors (P < 0.0001) and invertors (P = 0.0002), and for active ankle dorsiflexion (P = 0-0001). Gait velocity was slightly but not significantly (P = 0-0731) improved after BTX injections. The severity of spasticity did not modify treatment efficacy, but BTX was less effective in patients with longer duration of spasticity (P = 0-0081). Conclusion-The efficacy of BTX injections in the treatment of spastic foot suggests that BTX may be particularly useful during the first year after a stroke.

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Unlike pencil-and-paper tests, virtual reality is useful to assess large-scale navigation strategies in patients with brain injury or schizophrenia, or in the context of ageing and dementia. Better knowledge about both the impact of the different aids and the cognitive processes involved is essential for the use of aids in neurorehabilitation.