Undiagnosed macroscopic haematuria revisited: a follow-up of 146 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To further investigate a group of patients with macroscopic haematuria who had no abnormalities on upper tract imaging and cystoscopy, to determine the appropriate follow up.


METHODS
The hospital notes of patients who presented with frank haematuria between 1990 and 1998 and had no abnormality on cystoscopy and/or upper tract imaging were reviewed, with particular note made of any further bleeding or any other further urological problems. Those with < 2 years of follow-up in the hospital notes were investigated by telephone or via their general practitioner to ensure that all patients had at least 2 years of follow-up after the initial investigation.


RESULTS
Of the 146 patients in the study, 98 were alive and had no more bleeding after the initial investigation. None of them were found to have renal or urothelial tumours during the follow-up. Thirty-three patients had recurrent episodes of bleeding after the initial investigation; 26 of these had repeat investigations and one was found to have a renal pelvic transitional cell carcinoma on repeat intravenous urography. One patient in this subgroup had died from a subarachnoid haemorrhage; 15 other patients had died, 13 of non-urological causes and two of unknown causes.


CONCLUSIONS
Of 146 patients with undiagnosed macroscopic haematuria, only one had a missed tumour and this was detected on further investigation for recurrent bleeding. These results confirm that repeat cystoscopy and upper tract imaging is only warranted in patients who have recurrent bleeding after initial investigation.
Sells
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Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, Cornwall, UK. diandhen@bigfoot.com
Cox
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D003558:Cystoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006417:Hematuria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D014571:Urologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis