Chronic urinary retention

Question 1

What is chronic urinary retention?

Answer 1

painless inability to pass urine, long standing retention, so bladder has desensitised to the distention

Question 2

What is the most common cause of chronic urinary retention?

Answer 2

BPH

Question 3

What else can cause chronic urinary retention?

Answer 3

urethral strictures, prostate cancer, pelvic prolapse (cytocele, rectocele or uterine prolapse), pelvic masses (large fibroids), neurological causes e.g. MS or parkinsons

Question 4

What are the clinical features of chronic urinary retention

Answer 4

Weak stream, hesitancy ,reduced functional capacity, overflow incontinence, nocturnal enuresis, palpable distended bladder, should do a DRE

Question 5

What investigations would you do for chronic urinary retention?

Answer 5

post-void bedside bladder scan which shows volumes of retained urine, FBC, CRP, U&E,

Question 6

What is the management for chronic urinary retention?

Answer 6

catheterised with a long term catheter, should not have TWOC

Question 7

What is intermittent self catheterisation?

Answer 7

patient taught to catheterise themselves every 4-6hours

Question 8

What are the complications of chronic urinary retention?

Answer 8

UTI, bladder calculi, chronic kidney disease