Neurourological studies were performed on 15 patients with tumors at or below the first lumbar vertebra. Micturitional history revealed that 14 patients (93%) had voiding symptoms. Four patients had incontinence and three had urinary retention. Urodynamic studies revealed that three of six patients tested had abnormal uroflowmetrograms. Urinary residuals greater than 100 ml were observed in 6 of 12 patients. Detrusor hyperreflexia occurred in 3 of 15 patients, 4 of 15 had low-compliance detrusor, and 2 of 15 had detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. There were no differences in lower-extremity neurological signs in patients with or without incontinence, and patients with or without large residual urine and urinary retention.