RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Anatomical alterations in bony structures, as the sacrum, can be related with defects in nervous supply to pelvic viscera and low urinary tract. OBJECTIVE: To relate location of damages at spina bifida occult with diagnosis of overactive bladder. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross sectional study between December 2005 and March 2006 in 31 patients with diagnose of overactive bladder. All of them with complete medical history, uroneurologic physical exam, multichannel urodynamic study, urethrocystoscopy, urine culture, bladder voiding, life quality questionnaire, and antero subsequent, sacred lateral and lumbar column x-ray. Statistical analysis was done through distribution frequencies graphics and averages comparison. RESULTS: Age average was 47 years, 20 to 69 years; gestations average was four and childbirth average was three by patient. Highest percentage of dysraphia was located between S2 to S5 in 29 patients (94%), and between L5 to S5 in 2 patients (6%). Other findings were: scoliosis in 20 patients (64.5%), asymmetry of hip in 9 patients (29%), and lordosis in 7 patients (22.5%); spondilolistesis, lumbarization of S1 and sacralization of L5 were found each one in a patient (22.5%). CONCLUSIONS: In 94% of patients, presence of spina bifida occult between S2 to S4 correlates with the diagnosis of overactive bladder. Another type of alteration, as lordosis and scoliosis, are findings in a high percentage of patients and can be related to symptoms of overactive bladder.