Dysuria, Urinary Retention, and Inguinal Pain as Manifestation of Sacral Bannwarth Syndrome

Only few cases with sacral radiculitis due to infection with Borrelia burgdorferi leading to neurogenic urinary dysfunction have been reported. A 57-year-old male developed urethral pain and urinary retention, requiring permanent catheterization. Extensive urological investigations did not reveal a specific cause, which was why neurogenic bladder dysfunction was suspected. Neurologic exam revealed only mildly reduced tendon reflexes. Cerebral and spinal MRI were noninformative. CSF investigations, however, revealed pleocytosis, elevated protein, and antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi. Intravenous ceftriaxone for three weeks resulted in immediate improvement of bladder dysfunction, with continuous decline of residual urine volume and continuous increase of spontaneous urine volume even after removal of the catheter and initiation of self-catheterization. Sacral radiculitis due to infection with Borrelia burgdorferi is a potential cause of detrusor areflexia and urethral, perineal, inguinal, and scrotal pain and may be misinterpreted as cystitis or urethritis. Ceftriaxone may result in progressive recovery of bladder dysfunction and pain. Neuroborreliosis may manifest exclusively as neurourological problem.