Ureteroscopy for benign hematuria

Any patient presenting with hematuria of unknown origin should undergo a thorough history, physical examination, and laboratory and radiographic work-up. All attempts should be made to exclude malignancy. Renal hemangiomas are the most likely cause of chronic benign hematuria, particularly in young patients. In the past these lesions were treated with complete or partial nephrectomy. With the availability of small, flexible ureteroscopes capable of primary and secondary deflection, ureterorenoscopy has become an excellent means of diagnosing and treating these lesions. Various instruments--including an electrocautery probe, Nd:YAG laser, and Holmium:YAG laser--have been used with similar results.