Ependymoma in spinal cord

Dear Patient: CISC is a well accepted method. However you can talk to Dr Khosla regarding bladder pacemaker. Very few people do this procedure. The pacemaker, about two inches in diameter and one-fourth inch thick, is encased in a stainless steel frame and is surgically implanted under the skin in the lower abdomen. It carries a lead wire, containing four platinum electrodes, that is threaded to a site within the sacral canal, near the sacral nerves at the base of the spine.

Once installed, the device is externally programmed by the physician to send electrical impulses to the nerves. This signals the bladder and pelvic muscles to contract or relax as urine is stored or eliminated. Patients can also regulate the device, within certain set limits, by turning it up or down.The new pacemaker may benefit patients suffering from urge incontinence. It could also help people with severe bladder problems associated with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, interstitial cystitis or pelvic pain produced by overactive pelvic muscles.

This question has been answered by

Dr.S.K. Mishra

Neurosurgeon

MBBS, MS, Mch(AIIMS)