[Fluorescence endoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of superficial bladder neoplasms].
OBJECTIVE
The results of a clinical investigation on neoplasm and bladder dysplasia detection by 5-aminolaevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced fluorescence are reported. In this paper the authors report their experience with 5-ALA in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of bladder neoplasms after chemotherapy and endocavitary immunotherapy.


METHODS
The 5-ALA was instilled in the bladder 2 h before bladder transurethral resection. This method has been used since December 2000 on 163 patients and a total of 266 biopsies were histologically examined.


RESULTS
One-hundred and four benign and 92 malignant/dysplastic areas were biopsied; 46 malignant/dysplastic lesions were not detected during routine white-light cystoscopy but were identified with fluorescence cystoscopy. Sensitivity was 99% but specificity was low (20%).


CONCLUSIONS
ALA-based fluorescence cystoscopy is a safe and simple technique that enhances the detection of flat and papillary urothelial neoplasms.
Zani
D
D
Divisione Clinicizzata di Urologia, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia, Italy. dazani@tiscali.it
Simeone
C
C
Cosciani Cunico
S
S
da Pozzo
G P
GP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D003558:Cystoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid