Topical use of cortisone in urology.

Cortisone was instilled into the bladder in the treatment of interstitial cystitis and contracted bladder, trigonitis and urethritis in females, nonspecific urethritis in males, and inflammation of the wall of the bladder. In infectious cases the hormonal therapy was used after antibacterial measures had failed. Improvement occurred quickly in most cases soon after cortisone therapy was given. In a few cases of interstitial cystitis and contracted bladder the relief obtained was inadequate and it was necessary to carry out overdistention procedures under visualization. When that was done, however, it was noted that the condition of the bladder was improved as compared with the conditions usually observed in cases in which cortisone treatment is not given before the procedure. Results of tests of the blood during therapy indicated that the benefits of the treatment were not owing to systemic absorption of cortisone.