SUMMARY A case of herpes zoster is described in which the third and fourth sacral segments were involved on the left side, and in which an eruption on the left side of the bladder was accompained by retention of urine. Thirteen other case reports have been reviewed in which bladder symptoms complicated sacral zoster. There appears to be an inverse relation between the severity of the bladder eruption and the incidence of retention of urine, and this may be explicable on the basis of variable spread of the virus within the nervous system.

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Fifty-two male patients were studied prospectively to assess the results of direct vision urethrotomy in the treatment of urethral strictures. The prognosis was found to be significantly worse in those patients who had received extensive previous treatment. A catheter is recommended for at least 3 days and for 4 weeks in patients who have had minimal previous treatment or who have impaired detrusor function. The use of a urine flowmeter is essential for determining the success of treatment and stricture recurrence. Measurement of the recurrence-free period is important for assessing progressive improvement following repeat urethrotomy and for determining which patients cannot be cured by direct vision urethrotomy.