Intravesical lidocaine in severe interstitial cystitis. Case report

We report on a patient with a 2-year history of severe interstitial cystitis with disabling symptoms of painful urgency and urinary incontinence. The condition is characterized by a severe inflammatory reaction in the cystic wall and varying degrees of success for most therapeutic measures employed. Repeated vesical instillations of lidocaine in the urinary bladder relieved the patient from her pain and induced a long-lasting and potent anti-inflammatory effect on the cystic wall. Plasma lidocaine concentrations were below toxic levels and no adverse reactions were reported.