Rhenium-188 mercaptoacetyltriglycine-filled balloon dilation in the treatment of recurrent urethral strictures: Initial experience with five patients

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of β-irradiation therapy with use of a rhenium-188 mercaptoacetyltriglycine (Re-MAG3)-filled balloon for the prevention of restenosis in urethral strictures refractory to repetitive surgical or interventional procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five male patients with traumatic (n = 4) or postoperative anastomotic (n = 1) recurrent urethral strictures were included. One to four sessions of 20-30 Gy β-irradiation at a 1-mm tissue depth with Re-MAG3-filled balloon dilation were undertaken in each patient. RESULTS: No procedural complications or toxicities were noted. During the mean follow-up period of 16.2 months, the stricture did not recur in two patients, whereas three patients required additional interventional procedures. In two of these patients, the treatment intervals between the required sessions were significantly prolonged. For the entire group, the mean treatment interval was prolonged from 2.2 months before Re-MAG3-filled balloon dilation to 10.7 months after therapy. CONCLUSION: Re-MAG3-filled balloon dilation shows promise in preventing or delaying stricture recurrence in patients with recurrent urethral strictures.