Measurement of luminal nitric oxide in bladder inflammation using a silicon balloon catheter: A novel minimally invasive method

Objectives. Nitric oxide (NO) measured in the gaseous phase has been shown to be a marker of inflammation in the urinary bladder. The NO content of ai r incubated in the bladder can be measured in an NO analyzer. The aim of ou r study was threefold: to evaluate whether NO can be measured in air incuba ted in a catheter balloon, to determine the optimal time of incubation, and to find the most suitable type of catheter. Methods. The NO concentration in air introduced directly into the bladder a nd into the catheter balloon was measured in patients with and without blad der infections. The air was incubated for 5 to 60 minutes. NO concentration in the bladder of patients with interstitial cystitis was also analyzed. T he diffusion rate of NO through silicon and latex catheters was studied. Results. Elevated NO levels were detected in the urinary bladder in patient s with bladder inflammation due to infection or interstitial cystitis. A ma rked increase in NO concentration was found after just 5 minutes of incubat ion and continued to rise for up to 20 minutes, both in air taken directly from the bladder and from the catheter balloon. The NO diffusion rate into the balloons of silicon catheters was high; the recovery rate in latex cath eters was poor. Conclusions. Measurement of NO concentration in a silicon balloon catheter inserted into the urinary bladder is a fast, convenient, and reliable metho d to detect inflammation. (C) 1999, Elsevier Science Inc.