Impact of intravesical administration of tranexamic acid on gross hematuria in the emergency department: A before-and-after study

Efficacy of tranexamic acid application in gynecology and obstetrics procedures: a umbrella review of systematic reviews of randomized trials

Objective

This umbrella review aimed to synthesize evidence from systematic reviews of clinical trials on the efficacy of tranexamic acid in gynecology and obstetrics procedures.

Methods

We searched Medline, Embase, SciELO and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews on March 11, 2024, using the term "tranexamic acid". Four reviewers independently select studies and extract data. We assessed the quality of systematic review and the quality of evidence, using AMSTAR 2 and GRADE tools, respectively.

Results

Of 651 systematic reviews identified, 16 reviews with 96663 patients were included. The surgical procedures were cesarean section, myomectomy, hysterectomy, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia surgery. All reviews showed a statistically significant and clinically relevant reduction in intraoperative and post-procedure blood loss, associated with intravenous or topical use of tranexamic acid. Tranexamic acid resulted in a significant reduction in the need for blood transfusions and a less pronounced drop in postoperative hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in cesarean section. Several reviews addressed the same question, but the number of included trials varied substantially, which might indicate flaws in search and selection of studies of these reviews. The quality of systematic reviews was low or critically low, and the quality of evidence was moderate.

Conclusions

This umbrella review shows that tranexamic acid can reduce blood loss and hemorrhage in gynecology and obstetrics procedures. High quality systematic reviews are still needed.

Advancements in Understanding and Managing Radiation Cystitis: A Comprehensive Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This manuscript aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology, risk factors, prevention strategies, and management options for radiation cystitis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have shed light on the pathophysiology of radiation cystitis, highlighting the role of inflammation, fibrosis, and vascular damage. Emerging preventive measures like stem cell therapy offer promise, alongside novel treatments such as amniotic bladder therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This review outlines the latest research on radiation cystitis, covering its pathophysiology, risk factors, prevention, and management. Major findings include insights into the mechanisms of RC development, promising preventive and therapeutic approaches, and the importance of standardized treatment pathways. Future research should focus on identifying genetic risk factors, improving treatment efficacy, and enhancing patient outcomes. This review offers valuable insights for clinicians and researchers, guiding future investigations into radiation cystitis management.

[Urinary bladder tamponade-an urological emergency]

BACKGROUND

Urinary bladder tamponade is a urological emergency that is part of the clinical routine of every urologist and requires immediate and adequate diagnosis and therapy.

OBJECTIVES

Presentation of the clinical picture of urinary bladder tamponade including etiology, diagnostics, and therapy as well as formulation of recommendations for action for clinical routine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Structured presentation of the diagnosis and therapy of urinary bladder tamponade with practical recommendations for action based on a current literature search and a clinical case study.

RESULTS

Urinary bladder tamponade is a usually painful filling of the urinary bladder with blood clots as part of gross hematuria. The central pillars of diagnostics are anamnesis, targeted physical examination, and sonography. Therapy involves the rapid insertion of a flushing catheter with manual evacuation of the tamponade. A flushing catheter with at least 20 French should be used here.

CONCLUSION

Timely diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial. This usually includes transurethral catheter insertion with manual evacuation. If the tamponade is unsuccessfully removed, further measures such as endoscopic evacuation or, as a last resort, sectio alta or radical cystectomy are available.

Acute Abdominal Pain Without Gross Hematuria as an Atypical Initial Presentation of Renal Arteriovenous Malformation

Congenital renal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) occasionally manifest with recurrent gross hematuria, typically in young populations. Acute abdominal pain without previous episodes of gross hematuria in young women is frequently considered a diagnosis related to obstetric and gynecological conditions or acute appendicitis, excluding the possibility of clot retention, which is more commonly associated with the elderly. A 36-year-old woman with no history of gross hematuria presented with acute lower abdominal pain. Adnexal torsion was initially considered based on her symptoms and ultrasonography findings. However, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed clot retention and delayed contrast excretion in the right kidney. After bladder irrigation, she returned complaining of right flank pain. Subsequent plain CT revealed contrast pooling in the right kidney and hydronephrosis. In addition to these findings, small vessels in the right renal hilum were found to be prominent in the arterial phase on the first contrast-enhanced CT. Finally, angiography of renal arteries confirmed the diagnosis of a congenital cirsoid-type renal AVM, which was successfully treated with ethanol embolization. This case highlights the importance of understanding an atypical presentation of renal AVMs, which is acute abdominal pain, even in the absence of prior gross hematuria and the characteristic CT findings. Early diagnosis of renal AVMs is crucial for preventing potentially serious complications, including repeated clot retention and life-threatening rupture. The diverse clinical manifestations and images of renal AVMs should be recognized to facilitate prompt and accurate diagnosis.