title: A new minimally invasive technique for treating radiation cystitis: the argon-beam coagulator.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of the argon-beam coagulator used endoscopically for treating radiation cystitis, as radiotherapy is commonly used for treating pelvic tumours of urological origin, but intractable bleeding related to radiation cystitis remains a serious complication and requires a difficult long-term follow-up, for which cystoscopic methods of management have traditionally had limited success.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed seven patients with radiation cystitis; they were treated with argon-beam coagulation after a cystoscopic evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a mean follow-up of 15 months, one treatment was used in six patients, with a second treatment required in one.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The argon-beam coagulator appears to be a safe, well tolerated and minimally invasive treatment in patients with radiation cystitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, St George Public Hospital, Kogarah, NSW, Australia. mwines@tpg.com.au
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Wines
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Lynch
mesh_terms: D001128:Argon; D003556:Cystitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D020684:Cystoscopes; D003558:Cystoscopy / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008028:Light Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001128:Argon