膀胱水扩张联合灌注透明质酸钠治疗间质性膀胱炎的临床研究

目的:探讨间质性膀胱炎(IC)的临床诊断与治疗方法,评估膀胱水扩张加透明质酸钠灌注治疗IC的临床有效性及安全性。方法:2009年5月~2014年3月采用美国国立糖尿病、消化及肾病协会(NIDDK)制定的标准诊断IC患者60例,均在麻醉下行膀胱镜检查加水扩张术,术后第2~3天用无菌透明质酸钠液40mg/50ml行膀胱灌注,每周灌注1次,疗程12~36周,并且于治疗前和随访6个月时行钾离子敏感实验及膀胱镜检查,观察治疗前后患者盆腔疼痛及尿频评分(PUF)、O'Leary-Sant IC问卷表评分(ICSI/ICPI)、膀胱容量测定和生活质量评分(QOL)的变化。结果:60例患者均完成治疗,随访6~32个月,平均16个月,51例患者症状缓解或消失,PUF评分、ICSI/ICPI评分、膀胱容量、QOL评分明显改善,9例患者效果较差。PUF评分治疗前为(21.18±3.26)分,治疗3个月后降为(10.03±3.60)分,治疗6个月后为(12.17±3.46)分;ICSI治疗前为(12.15±2.08)分,治疗3个月后降为(8.58±2.27)分,治疗6个月后为(8.82±2.52)分。ICPI治疗前为(10.59±2.12)分,治疗3个月后为(7.87±2.56)分,治疗6个月后为(7.95±2.28)分。膀胱容量由(128.32±15.35)ml增加为(296.59±81.20)ml,QOL评分治疗前为(22.71±6.35)分,治疗3个月后升为(43.68±7.62)分,治疗6个月后为(58.25±5.26)分,治疗前后比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:膀胱水扩张联合灌注透明质酸钠能显著改善IC患者的临床症状,提高生活质量,是一种安全有效的治疗方法。     

膀胱扩张术治疗氯胺酮相关性膀胱挛缩的疗效观察

目的探讨透明质酸钠平衡液膀胱扩张术治疗氯胺酮相关性膀胱挛缩的方法和疗效。 方法2010年07月至2016年02月6家医院共收治滥用氯胺酮所致膀胱挛缩患者18例,男15例,女3例。患者戒断吸食氯胺酮,灌注0.09%透明质酸钠平衡液扩张膀胱,每周1次共3次,首次灌注2倍于术前膀胱容量的平衡液,随后灌注量每次递增100 ml。记录术前及3次扩张术后3、12个月时患者盆腔疼痛及尿频评分（PUF）、O'Leary-SantIC症状评分（ICSI）及问题评分（ICPI）、生活质量评分（QOL）和膀胱容量情况。 结果18例患者均完成3次膀胱扩张术,术中无大出血、膀胱破裂等严重并发症。术后2例失访,2例8个月后复吸,14例完成最少12个月随访。该14例患者扩张术前及术后3、12个月时平均PUF分别为（20.4±3.6）、（11.5±3.1）和（13.2±3.3）分;ICSI分别为（13.6±2.8）、（7.7±2.3）和（8.2±2.5）分;ICPI分别为（10.6±2.6）、（7.3±2.1）和（7.7±2.5）分;QOL分别为（6.0±0）、（2.1±0.5）和（2.7±0.8）分;膀胱容量分别为（83±27）ml、（234±56）ml和（228±52）ml,所有指标术后与术前比较差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论透明质酸钠平衡液膀胱扩张术治疗氯胺酮相关性膀胱挛缩安全有效,手术操作简单,耐受性好。     

膀胱水扩张加肝素灌注治疗女性间质性膀胱炎10例报告

目的观察膀胱水扩张加肝素灌注治疗间质性膀胱炎（IC）的疗效。方法该组10例IC患者均为女性。平均年龄36岁。平均病程30个月。所有患者在麻醉下行膀胱镜检加水扩张,次日均使用肝素钠10^5u加入无菌生理盐水20mL膀胱灌注,完成治疗后以O’Leary-Sant间质性膀胱炎症状评分（ICSI）、每日排尿次数及最大膀胱容量作为疗效评判标准,观察治疗前后患者各项指标情况。结果10例患者按照疗程治疗后随访4-12个月,平均7.5个月,症状缓解4例,症状显著缓解或消失6例;O’Leary-Sant ICSI治疗前为（12.5±4.9）分,平均治疗7个月后降为（6.5±2.3）分（P〈0.01）;治疗前患者平均排尿次数为（14.9±2.6）次／d,完成治疗后患者排尿次数减少至（7.8±2.8）次／d（P〈0.01）;膀胱最大容量治疗前为（73±10）mL,治疗后为（260±56）mL（P〈0.01）。治疗期间发生轻微肉眼血尿2例。结论膀胱水扩张联合肝素膀胱灌注治疗可有效缓解间质性膀胱炎患者症状,提高生活质量,是一种有效的治疗方法。     

膀胱水扩张后透明质酸钠灌注治疗间质性膀胱炎疗效分析

目的 探讨麻醉下膀胱水扩张后透明质酸钠灌注治疗重度顽固性间质性膀胱炎(IC)的临床疗效. 方法 IC患者21例.在联合阻滞或静脉麻醉下,以100 cm H2O(1 cm H2O =0.098kPa)压力下灌注膀胱,扩张膀胱10 min,经尿管向膀胱注入透明质酸钠40 mg/50 ml,保留1h后放出.每周灌注1次,4～6次为一个疗程. 结果 麻醉下测得膀胱容量(191.6±88.7)ml,扩张后膀胱容量增加至(425.3±79.8) ml(P=0.000).其中2例分别扩张至6.5 min和7.2 min时怀疑膀胱破裂.19例扩张10 min后均有明显的肉眼血尿.17例治疗后24 h拔除尿管,2例因血尿延至72 h拔除,2例怀疑膀胱破裂者4d后拔除.拔除尿管后疼痛即明显减轻,最大排尿量有所增加.第2次灌注前1d,排尿次数较治疗前明显减少[(32.8±10.4)与(18.5±8.0)次/24 h],最大排尿量较治疗前明显提高[(86.7±37.9)与(151.9 ±72.2)ml],疼痛程度较治疗前明显减轻[(8.7±1.0)与(3.0±0.8)分],O'Leary-Sant IC评分和QOL均有明显下降[(30.0±4.2)与(17.0±4.4)分,(5.9±0.3)与(2.4±0.9)分](P=0.000),至第3次灌注时症状继续改善,至第5周第6次灌注时效果达到最佳,至第6个月时症状有所反弹,但与术前相比,差异仍有统计学意义(P=0.000). 结论 麻醉下膀胱水扩张治疗重症顽固性IC效果满意,透明质酸灌注能够缓解患者的尿频和疼痛症状,改善效果与治疗持续时间呈正相关.     

膀胱水囊扩张加透明质酸钠灌注治疗间质性膀胱炎五例报告

间质性膀胱炎是一种以尿急、尿频、膀胱充盈疼痛为主要表现的综合征，膀胱黏膜上皮基质损伤、钾离子通透性增加、间质纤维组织改变、膀胱容量减小与临床症状密切相关。2003年6月至2005年2月，我们采用膀胱水囊扩张术透明质酸钠膀胱灌注治疗间质性膀胱炎患者5例，疗效较好。现报告如下。     

肉毒素联合膀胱灌注治疗间质性膀胱炎

目的:评价肉毒素注射联合肝素、利多卡因、碳酸氢钠膀胱灌注治疗间质性膀胱炎的疗效。方法:将20例间质性膀胱炎患者随机分为两组,联合组在麻醉下行膀胱内200 U肉毒素多点注射,3 d后行2%利多卡因8 mL、肝素37 500万U、5%碳酸氢钠5 mL膀胱灌注,每周1次,治疗周期1个月;透明质酸钠组膀胱灌注每周1次,治疗周期1个月,并对疗效进行随访。结果:随访1年,透明质酸钠组症状评分、问题评分、日排尿次数、最大膀胱容量指标较治疗前未发现明显改善(P0.05);联合组以上指标较治疗前均有明显改善(P0.05)。结论:肉毒素联合肝素、利多卡因、碳酸氢钠膀胱灌注治疗间质性膀胱炎,疗效明显优于透明质酸钠,该治疗方案值得进一步临床推广应用。     

肝素膀胱灌注治疗间质性膀胱炎

目的　观察肝素膀胱灌注治疗间质性膀胱炎的疗效。　方法　 17例间质性膀胱炎患者 ,均为女性。平均年龄 35岁。平均病程 2 7个月。临床表现主要为尿频及膀胱区疼痛。膀胱镜检见黏膜下点状出血 15例 ,Hunner溃疡 2例。按O’Leary Sant间质性膀胱炎症状评分 (ICSI) 8～ 18分 ,平均 (13.4± 3.5 )分 ;问题评分 (ICPI) 3～ 12分 ,平均 (8.2± 3.4 )分。所有患者均使用肝素钠 10 5U膀胱灌注 ,每周 3次 ,疗程 4周。观察治疗后患者症状改善情况。　结果　 17例患者随访 3～ 12个月 ,平均 6个月 ,症状缓解 14例 ,其中症状显著缓解或消失 9例 ,评分下降 7分 ;症状部分缓解 5例 ,评分下降 >3分 ;无效 3例。 2例于治疗 7个月及 9个月症状复发。有效率 82 %。治疗后 1、2个月ICSI分别降至 (6 .1± 3.4 )、(6 .3± 3.5 )分 ,ICPI分别降至 (3.5± 2 .9)、(3.6± 2 .7)分 ,治疗前后比较差异有显著性意义 (P <0 .0 1)。治疗期间发生一过性尿道灼痛者 2例 ,轻微肉眼血尿 1例。　结论　肝素膀胱灌注治疗可有效缓解间质性膀胱炎患者症状 ,提高生活质量。     

麻醉下水扩张诊断间质性膀胱炎

目的 探讨麻醉下膀胱镜检加水扩张诊断间质性膀胱炎的临床意义.方法 对41例可疑间质性膀胱炎患者行麻醉下膀胱镜检加水扩张,观察排尿量、疼痛指数评分和膀胱容量变化以及膀胱黏膜下组织中肥大细胞增多、浸润情况.结果 水扩张下3例膀胱容量＞400 ml未出现红斑症,1例随机活检病理为膀胱原位癌,余37例患者红斑症均阳性,诊断为间质性膀胱炎.麻醉下水扩张前排尿日记中尿量(124±7)ml、疼痛指数评分8.87±1.02,尿动力学检查中膀胱容量(132±7)ml;麻醉下水扩张后排尿量(218±8)ml(P＜0.05)、疼痛指数评分4.26±1.61(P＜0.01),膀胱容量(243±6)ml(P＜0.05),水扩张前后差异均有统计学意义.14例患者膀胱黏膜下肥大细胞明显增多.结论 麻醉下膀胱镜检加水扩张可用于间质性膀胱炎的诊断和临床分类并指导治疗,但不建议作为长期持续的治疗手段.     

男性顽固性下尿路症状的病因探讨

目的探讨男性顽固性下尿路症状的病因。方法疑似慢性前列腺炎患者11例,年龄（51．3±14．3）岁,病程（3．0±1．6）年。主要临床表现为尿频尿急和膀胱充盈时疼痛。评估方法为尿及前列腺液常规和细菌学检查、细胞学检查、IVU等,临床常规评估均正常时,进一步行麻醉下水扩张和膀胱随机活检。结果11例患者中随机活检为慢性炎症者9例,其中1例麻醉下水扩张阴性;采用间质性膀胱炎的诊断性治疗即口服阿米替林及膀胱灌注RTX联合治疗（6例）,单纯口服阿米替林治疗（1例）,膀胱灌注透明质酸钠（1例）和骶神经电刺激神经调节治疗（1例）;其24 h排尿次数、平均排尿量、O’leary-Sant间质性膀胱炎症状及问题指数、膀胱区疼痛评分及生活质量评分均得到明显改善,另2例患者麻醉下水扩张阴性,但膀胱随机活检显示为广泛原位癌,并行膀胱尿道全长切除及尿流改道术,术后患者膀胱疼痛症状消失。结论疑似慢性前列腺炎经抗生素治疗无效的顽固性男性下尿路症状应考虑间质性膀胱炎的可能性,也应警惕膀胱癌的存在。     

膀胱水扩张加膀胱灌注治疗间质性膀胱炎疗效观察

目的膀胱水扩张加膀胱灌注治疗间质性膀胱炎(interstitial cystitis,IC)的临床疗效观察。方法对6例间质性膀胱炎患者行膀胱水扩张及膀胱灌注,分析治疗前、治疗12周后、治疗6个月后间质性膀胱炎症状指数(interstitial cystitissym ptomatic in-dex,ICSI)和问题指数(interstitial cystitis problem index,ICPI)。结果 6例患者均获得满意随访,疗效显著2例、有效3例、无效1例,总有效率为83.3%(5/6)。治疗12周后及治疗6个月后ICSI和ICPI评分均较治疗前明显降低,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论膀胱水扩张联合大剂量肝素、碳酸氢钠及利多卡因膀胱灌注治疗间质性膀胱炎具有创伤小、临床疗效显著、价格低廉等优点,具有一定的推广应用价值。     

Bladder necrosis following hydrodistention in patients with interstitial cystitis

PURPOSE: Bladder hydrodistention is used to diagnose and treat patients with interstitial cystitis. This procedure has been shown to have minimal morbidity and provide symptomatic relief in a subset of patients with interstitial cystitis. We report our experience with almost total bladder necrosis after hydrodistention at 2 institutions. To our knowledge this rare complication has not been previously reported in the literature. We also reviewed the literature regarding complications of hydrodistention and discuss their possible etiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report 3 cases of bladder necrosis after therapeutic hydrodistention for interstitial cystitis at 2 institutions. All records were reviewed, and the clinical presentation, findings and treatments are discussed. A literature review was performed to evaluate the effectiveness and complications of hydrodistention for interstitial cystitis. RESULTS: There were 2 female and 1 male patient between ages 29 and 46. All patients had a previous diagnosis of interstitial cystitis and had been previously treated with hydrodistention. All patients presented with severe abdominal pain and had necrosis of the entire bladder wall with sparing of the trigone. Two patients were treated with supratrigonal cystectomy. A review of the literature revealed little data on the effectiveness of hydrodistention for interstitial cystitis. CONCLUSIONS: Vesical necrosis is a rare but devastating complication of hydrodistention. It can occur in young patients in the absence of a contracted bladder and it usually presents as severe postoperative abdominal pain. At exploration bladder necrosis with sparing of the trigone was observed. All patients required enterocystoplasty.     

Bladder stretch alters urinary heparin-binding epidermal growth factor and antiproliferative factor in patients with interstitial cystitis

PURPOSE: The etiology of interstitial cystitis is unknown. Urine from patients with interstitial cystitis has been shown to inhibit urothelial proliferation through a putative antiproliferative factor and to contain decreased levels of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) compared to controls. Stretch of detrusor smooth muscle cells is known to stimulate HB-EGF production. Because bladder hydrodistention sometimes alleviates the symptoms of interstitial cystitis, we determined whether the stretch stimulus of hydrodistention alters antiproliferative factor activity and/or HB-EGF in interstitial cystitis urine specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urine was collected immediately before, and 2 to 4 hours and 2 weeks after hydrodistention from 15 patients with symptoms and cystoscopic findings compatible with interstitial cystitis and 13 controls. Hydrodistention was performed with the subject under general or regional anesthesia and bladders were distended to 80 cm. water 3 times. Urinary HB-EGF was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and urinary antiproliferative factor activity was determined by measuring 3H-thymidine uptake by normal human bladder urothelial cells. RESULTS: Hydrodistention significantly increased urinary HB-EGF in patients with interstitial cystitis toward normal control values (before distention p = 0.003, 2 weeks after distention p = 0.67). Urine antiproliferative factor activity decreased significantly after hydrodistention in patients with interstitial cystitis. However, antiproliferative factor activity in interstitial cystitis and control specimens was still statistically different 2 weeks after distention (before distention p = 0.0000004, 2 weeks after distention p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Bladder stretch increased HB-EGF and conversely reduced antiproliferative factor activity in urine from patients with interstitial cystitis but not controls up to 2 weeks after distention. These results provide additional evidence for the possible role of antiproliferative factor and decreased HB-EGF in the pathophysiology of interstitial cystitis. To our knowledge this is also the first human study to show that in vivo bladder stretch can alter urinary factors that regulate cell growth.     

Spontaneous bladder rupture following cystoscopy with hydrodistention and biopsy in a female patient with interstitial cystitis

We report a case of remote spontaneous rupture of urinary bladder following cystourethroscopy with hydrodistention and a bladder biopsy in a patient with interstitial cystitis. This required abdominal exploration with cystorrhaphy. This case emphasizes a unique and dangerous complication of this procedure in a patient with interstitial cystitis.     

Stimulated release of urine histamine in interstitial cystitis.

The diagnosis of interstitial cystitis is primarily made based on clinical and cystoscopic findings with exclusion of other bladder diseases. Despite all of the efforts at definitive identification, interstitial cystitis lacks universal objective findings. Mast cell activation with associated histamine release has been postulated as an etiological factor leading to the symptom complex associated with interstitial cystitis. To investigate this hypothesis, a 3-step controlled prospective study was conducted. In step 1 reliability of urine histamine assay was critically examined, and the assay was established to be simple, reliable and valid. In step 2 random spot urine histamine levels (basal state) were measured in 25 noninterstitial cystitis and 15 interstitial cystitis patients (22.1 +/- 0.95 ng./ml. versus 19.2 +/- 1.19 ng./ml.). There was no significant difference in the random urine histamine levels between the 2 groups (p greater than 0.05). In step 3 urine histamine levels were measured before and after hydrodistention (acute stimulation) in 7 noninterstitial cystitis controls and 6 newly diagnosed interstitial cystitis patients under general anesthesia. The urine histamine-to-creatinine ratio was used to correct for the dilutional effect of normal saline used during hydrodistention. The urine histamine-to-creatinine ratios of the control group showed no significant difference before and after hydrodistention. However, the difference in the urine histamine-to-creatinine ratios of the interstitial cystitis group compared to the controls before and after hydrodistention was highly significant (p less than 0.001). Although measurement of random spot urine histamine alone (basal state) was not found useful to make the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis, measurement of urine histamine before and immediately after hydrodistention (acute stimulation) may become an important objective parameter to assist in the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis.     

Intravesical instillation of resiniferatoxin for the patients with interstitial cystitis

Although hydrodistention of the bladder is accepted as the initial treatment for patients with interstitial cystitis (IC), second-line treatment for worsening symptoms is not concretely established. Resiniferatoxin (RTX) desensitizes bladder afferent c-fibers and its intravesical instillation is effective for patients with detrusor overactivity. We studied the clinical relevance of intravesical treatment with RTX for patients with IC. The treatment was performed for 3 patients with incomplete improvement after hydrodistention. All 3 patients were free of bladder pain posttreatment and had slight improvement of the maximum voided volume. Though RTX treatment requires general anesthesia against severe bladder pain it is effective for selected patients with interstitial cystitis and can be potentially used as one of the treatment options.     

Comparison of cystoscopic and histological findings in patients with suspected interstitial cystitis

PURPOSE: Although the exact etiology of interstitial cystitis remains elusive, bladder inflammation appears to be common in many patients. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have established diagnostic criteria for interstitial cystitis based on the presence of irritative voiding symptoms in the absence of other identifiable pathology. Cystoscopic examination with hydrodistention performed in patients under anesthesia is part of the NIH diagnostic criteria. We determine if the severity of cystoscopic findings correlated with histological evidence of inflammation in patients with suspected interstitial cystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 69 patients who met NIH symptom criteria for interstitial cystitis and underwent cystoscopy, hydrodistention and bladder biopsy under anesthesia were reviewed. There were 2 investigators blinded to the histological data who independently reviewed operative reports. A urological pathologist blinded to the clinical data reviewed biopsies for inflammation severity. Cystoscopic and histological findings were then converted to a numeric scale. Numeric data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Cystoscopic examination revealed no evidence of interstitial cystitis in 6 patients (9%), mild changes in 27 (39%), moderate changes in 23 (33%) and severe changes in 13 (19%). Histological examination revealed no inflammation in 21 patients (30%), mild inflammation in 28 (41%), moderate inflammation in 11 (16%) and severe inflammation in 9 (13%). Histological scores correlated poorly with total and scaled cystoscopic severity scores (r = 0.295 and 0.349, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Severity of cystoscopic findings observed during hydrodistention with anesthesia does not appear to correlate with the degree of inflammation identified histologically in patients with suspected interstitial cystitis.     

Interstitial cystitis and endometriosis in patients with chronic pelvic pain: The "Evil Twins" syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of interstitial cystitis and endometriosis in patients with chronic pelvic pain. METHODS: A prospective analysis was conducted in 178 women with CPP who presented with bladder base/anterior vaginal wall and/or uterine tenderness, with or without irritative voiding symptoms. The Potassium Sensitivity Test was used to assess bladder epithelial dysfunction. Patients were evaluated with concurrent laparoscopy and cystoscopy with hydrodistention. RESULTS: Laparoscopic findings among the 178 patients with chronic pelvic pain supported a diagnosis of endometriosis in 134 (75%) patients, and cystoscopy confirmed a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis in 159 (89%) patients. Both interstitial cystitis and endometriosis were diagnosed in 115 patients (65%). The Potassium Sensitivity Test was positive in 146 (82%) patients, with 140 (96%) of these patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis and 105 (72%) with endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this prospective study show that interstitial cystitis and endometriosis may frequently coexist in patients with chronic pelvic pain. A positive Potassium Sensitivity Test accurately predicted the presence of interstitial cystitis in 96% of these patients with chronic pelvic pain, as confirmed by cystoscopic hydrodistention. It is necessary to consider the diagnosis of endometriosis and interstitial cystitis concurrently in the evaluation of patients with chronic pelvic pain to avoid unnecessary delay in identifying either condition.     

Comparison of bladder blood flow in patients with and without interstitial cystitis.

PURPOSE: We compared bladder blood flow during filling and emptying in patients with and without interstitial cystitis, and correlated blood flow with symptoms in those with interstitial cystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bladder perfusion was measured using a dual channel endoscopic laser Doppler flow probe. Measurements were obtained in superficial and deeper vascular beds from the bladder mucosa at the trigone and back wall at baseline, at the volume of awake capacity, during 80 cm. water hydrodistention and after bladder drainage. American Urological Association symptom score was obtained preoperatively in interstitial cystitis patients. RESULTS: In all areas bladder perfusion decreased with filling in interstitial cystitis patients and increased in those without interstitial cystitis. There were no significant differences in response to emptying the bladder, as perfusion tended to increase in both groups. There was no correlation between bladder perfusion at baseline, or in response to filling or emptying with overall symptom score. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder perfusion decreases with bladder filling in patients with but increases in those without interstitial cystitis. The inability of the interstitial cystitis bladder to increase bladder blood flow with filling may be a reflection of other pathological processes in the bladder mucosa. The lack of correlation between blood flow and symptoms suggests that bladder ischemia alone cannot account for the symptoms in interstitial cystitis.     

The Overlap of Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome and Overactive Bladder

Objective:

We evaluated the prevalence of positive potassium sensitivity and cystoscopy with hydrodistention findings in patients with overactive bladder.

Method:

This was a prospective cohort study of 98 patients who presented with overactive bladder symptoms. The diagnosis of overactive bladder is established by the presence of irritable voiding symptoms. All patients completed a PUF questionnaire and underwent potassium sensitivity testing. Eighty patients underwent urodynamic testing, and 42 patients underwent cystoscopic hydrodistention while under general anesthesia.

Results:

The Potassium Sensitivity Test was positive in 59 (60.2%) of the 98 patients, 37 (56%) of wet overactive bladder patients, and 22 (68.8%) of dry overactive bladder patients. Their mean PUF score was 7. Thirty-three (78.5%) of the patients who underwent cystoscopic hydrodistention had glomerulations consistent with NIH criteria for interstitial cystitis, and 26 of these patients tested positive for potassium sensitivity. Fifty-one (63.8%) of the patients who underwent urodynamics tested positive for potassium sensitivity.

Conclusion:

Many patients with symptoms of overactive bladder with little or no pain have cystoscopic evidence of interstitial cystitis and a positive Potassium Sensitivity Test. Therapies directed toward the uroepithelial dysfunction and neural upregulation associated with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome may be an important adjunct for patients who have failed or have had a partial response to anticholinergic therapy and behavior modification.