Is treatment of hemorrhagic radiation cystitis with hyperbaric oxygen effective?
OBJECTIVE
We report our own experience with the use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) for the management of postradiation hemorrhagic cystitis.


METHODS
We reviewed retrospectively 14 patients from 2001 to 2007 with different pelvic organ malignancies who developed radiation cystitis after irradiation. Patients received 100% oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber at a pressure of 2.5 atmospheres absolute, 60 min bottom time, once a day, 7 days a week for at least 1 month. In principle, 30 HBO treatments per course were performed. After every course of HBO treatments, therapeutic effect was evaluated. The mean duration of follow-up of all patients was 18 months (range: 1-6 years).


RESULTS
Patients were divided into 2 groups, group 1 (treatment group, n = 10) and group 2 (without treatment, n = 4). The mean duration between the onset of hematuria and the beginning of HBO therapy was 8.9 months (range: 3-34). Group 2 did not receive HBO because they were not healthy enough. Only 2 patients (20%) of group 1 recovered from their hemorrhagic cystitis. Group 1 had a significantly lower cure rate of postirradiation hemorrhagic cystitis in comparison to group 2.


CONCLUSIONS
Our experience with the use of HBO did not yield favorable results. Randomized well-controlled studies are needed.
Department of Urology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. bader1971 @ gmx.at
Badereddin
B
Mohamad Al-Ali
Harald
H
Trummer
Rany
R
Shamloul
Richard
R
Zigeuner
Karl
K
Pummer
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003556:Cystitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006417:Hematuria / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome