Tubular necrosis complicating intravesical formaldehyde treatment

Intravesical formaldehyde instillation for the treatment of profuse hemorrhage due to inoperable bladder carcinoma has been done for the last three years. Results have been satisfactory. Recently, an anuria developed after such treatment in a 76-year-old patient. Renal biopsy showed focal tubular necrosis. The possibilities of a toxic or an ischemic lesion are discussed. Diuresis reappeared spontaneously after six days and the patient was discharged from the hospital twelve days after the formaldehyde treatment.