[Urinary bladder hemangiomas in children: experience with endoscopic treatment]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Laser Medicine

Context:

• Bladder hemangiomas can cause significant bleeding, necessitating urgent intervention.
• Endoscopic photocoagulation offers a minimally invasive approach to manage these vascular tumors.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Neodymium-doped YAG-laser (Nd:YAG) photocoagulation for treating bladder hemangiomas in pediatric patients.
• To assess the long-term outcomes, including recurrence rates and the need for repeat interventions.

Summary:

• Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation was used to treat 5 children with bladder hemangioma, achieving immediate hemostasis in 2 out of 3 actively bleeding patients.
• While effective for initial bleeding control, 2 patients experienced recurrent bleeding, necessitating further treatment or surveillance. One patient achieved long-term remission after multiple sessions.
• The study highlights Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation as a viable hemostatic method but emphasizes the importance of long-term endoscopic follow-up and potential prophylactic treatments for bladder hemangiomas.

Impact:

• Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation provides an effective endoscopic option for managing bladder hemangioma bleeding in children.
• The findings underscore the necessity for vigilant, long-term surveillance and potential repeat endoscopic interventions to manage late recurrent bleeding risks.
• This approach may reduce the need for open surgery in select cases, improving patient outcomes.