9.2 Urinary Tract Disruption Flashcards
Where do urinary tract obstructions occur?
At any level between the kidney to the urethra
During bilateral urinary obstruction where is the obstruction likely to be?
At the bladder or at the urethra as ureters have converged
What are urinary tract obstructions a risk factor for?
UTI - stagnant pools of urine
Urine reflux - up ureter
Stone formation
What are common causes of urinary tract obstruction?
Tumours (kidney, cervix, bladder) Strictures at pelvis ureteric junction Stag horn calculus / ureteric calculus Pregnancy - obstruction of ureter Blood clot Endometriosis Damage to nerves involved in micturition Prostatic enlargement Urethral stricture
What are calculi?
Renal stones
What are causes of urinary retention?
Calculi Pregnancy Benign prostatic hypertrophy - occlusion of prostatic urethra Recent surgery Drugs Urethral strictures Pelviureteric junction obstruction - congenital abnormality Pelvic masses Constipation Inflammation of lower urinary tract/UTI Tumours Neurogenic disorders
How is urinary retention imaged on a CT?
Enlarged bladder
How does pregnancy cause urinary retention?
progesterone relaxes muscle fibres in the renal pelvis and ureters causing dysfunctional obstruction. Pressure of growing foetus can cause occlusion
What drugs can cause urinary retention?
opioids, anticholinergics - decrease contraction of detrusor
What neurogenic disorders can cause urinary retention?
• Congenital anomalies affecting the spinal cord
• External pressure on the cord or lumber nerve
roots
• Trauma to the spinal cord
Affect micturition pathways
What is acute urinary retention?
Sudden inability to void
Painful
Residual volume of 300-1500ml
Can see enlarged / distended bladder
What is chronic urinary retention?
Long term urinary retention
Painless
May still be voiding but have large residual volume (300-4000ml)
What can cause acute urinary retention?
Flare up of begging prostatic hypertrophy
Urethral stricture
Tumours
What can cause chronic urine retention?
Gradual occlusion
Neurological disorders.
What is acute on chronic urinary retention?
Chronic retention, with a sudden acute urinary retention episode. Can be caused by the chronic urinary retention (e.g. stones formed due to pooling of urine) or not related.
What is the treatment of acute urinary retention?
Catheterise and record residual urinary volume
History (urine stream, urine volume, frequency, continence, vesicle tenesmus)
Examination (abdomen, external genitalia, digital rectal examination)
Urine dip (UTI)
U&E
Treat any obvious cause (constipation)
BPH - alpha blocker, TWOC after 1-2 weeks
What can acute urinary retention result in if not treated?
Hydronephrosis -> renal damage -> renal failure
How would we manage chronic urinary retention?
Catheterise and record residual volume
History of urinary complications and symptoms
Examination (often have vesicle tenesmus, poor uric stream or flow)
Urine dips
U&E
Determine if High pressure urinary retention or low pressure urinary retention
Plan for long-term catheterisation or intermittent self catheterisation. Would not attempt TWOC
How does high pressure chronic urinary retention present?
High pressure build up of urine in the bladder.
Hydronephrosis as urine back up ureters and kidney. Can develop to have deranged U&Es and AKI (post renal cause). Unable to clear K+ from body, hyperkalaemia. Over time can cause permanent renal scarring and CKD
How does low pressure urinary retention present?
Bladder compliant but not emptying. Normal renal function, no hydronephrosis.
Likely to be due to neurological damage.
Long term catheterisation (suprapubic catheter/ intermittent self catheterisation)
Why must urine output be monitored for 24hours post catheterisation for treating urinary obstruction?
As can develop post-obstructive diuresis following hydronephrosis as suddenly excreting build up of waste products. Do not want patient to become hypovolaemic.
Can lead to worsening AKI
What is post- obstructive diuresis?
Over-diuresis by the kidneys following catheterisation to treat obstructive urinary retention. Occurs to clear the waste solutes in the blood the kidneys couldn’t previously expel. Can lead to worsening AKI.