Abstract
Haemorrhagic cystitis is a life-threatening condition in which the
transitional epithelium and blood vessels of the bladder necrose leading
to severe haematuria, abdominal pain and voiding lower urinary tract
symptoms. Aetiology includes chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide,
busulfan), radiotherapy or infectious agents. We present a paediatric
case of a 15-year-old boy with medulloblastoma who developed
haemorrhagic cystitis following cisplatin chemotherapy. All other causes
were ruled out and it is therefore likely that the agent in this case
was cisplatin, which has never had haemorrhagic cystitis reported as a
side effect. We also suggest a mechanism for urothelial injury centred
around OCT-2 receptors.