Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for hemorrhagic radiation cystitis

Background: Radiation cystitis with macroscopic hematuria is a frustrating clinical problem for urologists. Since 1985, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been applied as a treatment for radiation cystitis with macroscopic hematuria; numerous studies have shown that this treatment has favorable results. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the HBOT affected the clinical outcomes and treatment of hemorrhagic radiation cystitis (HRC). Methods: Between November 1989 and June 2014, 42 patients (39 women and three men) with HRC were treated with hyperbaric oxygen at a pressure of 2.5 atmospheres absolute, breathing 100% O2for 120 min in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber. Results: After an average of 38 hyperbaric oxygen sessions, macroscopic hematuria was completely halted in 35 patients (83.3%) and markedly decreased in three patients (7.1%). A comparison of cystoscopic findings before and after HBOT showed significant decreases in both hemorrhagic sites and telangiectasis of the bladder mucosa. The mean follow-up was 20.7 months (range: 3u49 months). No cases exhibited evidence of barotrauma or oxygen toxicity. One patient underwent a urodynamic study both before and after HBOT, with several changes in bladder function observed after HBOT: urine peak flow increased from 12.8 mL/s before HBOT to 15.0 mL/s after HBOT and urine mean flow increased from 6.5 mL/s to 8.9 mL/s. Urine voiding time decreased from 40.0 s to 28.0 s, urine flow time from 39.0 s to 28.0 s, time to peak flow from 15.0 s to 8.0 s, and voided volume from 251 mL to 248 mL. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that early application of HBOT is a safe and effective treatment method for HRC. Whether HBOT is beneficial to urinary bladder function requires further study with a larger patient cohort enrolled.