Endoscopic biopsy in the diagnosis of peripheral denervation of the bladder.

Endoscopic biopsies of the bladder were stained using a simple neurohistochemical technique to demonstrate the normal cholinergic innervation. The same technique was used on patients in whom a peripheral neuropathic bladder was suspected and clear evidence of denervation obtained. It is suggested that the technique be applied to all cases where peripheral denervation is a possibility to assist in diagnosis and to select cases where long-term urological follow-up is mandatory.