No abstract

The Helmstein bladder distension treatment was applied to 26 patients, who received a total of 70 treatments (52 for bladder tumour and 18 for severe bleeding; in 7 cases for both tumour and bleeding). In the T2 tumours total necrosis occurred in 27% of the cases, partial necrosis in 50% and no necrosis in 23%. Of the patients with total necrosis 64% had recurrences within 12 months. In the T3-T4 tumours only 33% had a temporary slight reduction of the tumour mass. In patients with severe bleeding from the bladder, haematuria ceased within 1 to 5 days after the treatment in 12 out of 18 cases. Bleeding, however, recurred after an average of 3 months. It is concluded that the treatment is useful in selected cases with multiple tumours of the bladder, and the method is effective in controlling severe bleeding from the bladder.

Chronic interstitial cystitis (IC) is an inflammatory condition of the bladder of unknown aetiology. Clinically, IC is difficult to handle. Previously, we reported that administration of subcutaneous heparin has an immediate, ameliorating effect. We have now followed eight of the patients for one year or more, during which period they received subcutaneous heparin in doses varying from 5000 IU per day to 5000 IU 2-3 times a week. This treatment was found to have a long-term beneficial effect. No side effects were observed.