Meningitis-retention syndrome (MRS) a combination of acute aseptic meningitis and urinary retention (detrusor underactivity) an inflammatory neurological condition that was first described in 2005.

Mild acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is considered an underlying mechanism of MRS, because some patients show elevated myelin basic protein in the CSF and a reversible splenial lesion on brain magnetic resonance imaging .

In addition to these, elevated CSF adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels or decreased CSF/serum glucose ratio may be predictive factors for MRS development.

Repeated urodynamics showed that underactive detrusor changed to overactive after a 4-month period, suggesting an upper motor neuron bladder dysfunction (possible spinal shock).

While urinary retention in MRS ameliorates in most cases, care must be taken to prevent overdistension bladder injury, by performing clean-intermittent self-catheterization.