[Hemorrhagic radiation cystitis: a transurethral treatment with formalin-soaked pledgets]

An 80-year-old woman presented with gross hematuria and clot retention about 20 years after postoperative radiation therapy for uterine cancer. Endoscopic evaluation revealed a hyperemic bladder mucosa and bleeding foci localized to the posterior wall. Electrocauterization and continuous bladder irrigation with normal saline failed to resolve the hemorrhage, Maalox (aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide) was instilled intravesically. The events of gross hematuria and clot retention recurred frequently, cotton pledgets soaked in 5% formalin were placed endoscopically onto the bleeding sites of the bladder posterior wall for 15 minutes with success. We consider this technique useful for intractable hemorrhage secondary to radiation cystitis.