Europenis 2 Flashcards
What is renal colic?
Pain due to renal calculi (kidney stones)
What are renal calculi/kidney stones also known as?
Nephrolithiasis
Describe the epidemiology of nephrolithiasis
- 10% lifetime risk - More common in men (2:1)- Higher prevalence in Middle East
What are 6 causes of nephrolithiasis?
- Urinary (dehydration)2. Infection (proteus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas)3. Hypercalciuria4. Hyperoxaluria5. Uric acid stones6. Cystine stone
What are 6 risk factors for nephrolithiasis?
- Chronic dehydration2. Obesity3. High protein/salt diet4. Recurrent UTIs5. Hyperparathyroidism6. Congenital abnormalities
Describe the pathophysiology of nephrolithiasis (nucleation theory)
- Urine is composed of water (solvent) and particles (solute)- When solute becomes too concentrated –> supersaturated –> solute precipitates and forms crystals - Occurs due to an increase in solute or decrease in solvent
What commonly occurs in nephrolithiasis?
Stones cause obstructions leading to hydronephrosis (one/both kidneys become stretched/swollen due to the build-up of urine inside)
What are the 3 most common blockage sites in nephrolithiasis?
- Pelviureteric junction (PUJ) - most common2. Pelvic brim3. Vesicoureteric junction (VUJ)
What 7 things commonly make up the components of kidney stones/renal calculi?
- Calcium oxalate (forms in acidic urine)2. Calcium phosphate (forms in alkaline urine)3. Calcium carbonate4. Struvite (ammonium phosphate)5. Uric acid6. Cystine7. Drug precipitants
What is the main symptom of nephrolithiasis?
Renal colic:- Severe unilateral abdominal pain- Starts in loin and radiates to ipsilateral groin/testicle/labia- Classically onset and early in the morning
What are 4 other symptoms of nephrolithiasis?
- Restlessness2. Nausea and vomiting3. Haematuria (blood in urine)4. Dysuria (painful urination)
What are 4 investigations for nephrolithiasis?
- Non contrast CT KUB (GOLD STANDARD)2. Ultrasound KUB in pregnancy3. Dipstick (haematuria, leucocytes, nitrites)4. Bloods (FBC, CRP, U&Es)
What is the treatment for nephrolithiasis?
- Small enough stones (<5mm) pass on their own- ESWL (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy - breaks stones into smaller fragments using shockwaves)- Ureteroscopy PCNL (percutaneous nephrolithotomy - nephroscope used to remove stone)- Symptomatic relief (NSAIDs/opioids)- Decrease sodium/protein intake- Increased citrus fruit- Rehydration/adequate fluid intake
What are 3 complications of nephrolithiasis?
- Recurrence is common2. Irreversible renal damage3. Long term blockage can cause sepsis
What is acute kidney injury (AKI)?
Rapid deterioration of renal function
Describe the epidemiology of AKI
- 15% of adults admitted to hospital develop AKI- More common in the elderly
What are 8 risk factors of AKI?
- HTN2. Volume depletion3. CKD4. Diabetes5. Cirrhosis6. Nephrotoxic medications7. Cancer8. Trauma
Describe the pathophysiology of pre-renal AKI
Decreased volume = decreased perfusion = decreased GFR and decreased creatinine clearance
What are 2 pre-renal causes of AKI?
- Low blood volume (bleeding/dehydration/shock/D&V)2. Low effective circulating volume (cirrhosis/congestive HF)
Describe the pathophysiology of glomerular intra-renal AKI
Barrier damage and protein leakage = decreased oncotic pressure = decreased GFR
What is a cause of glomerular intra-renal AKI?
Glomerulonephritis
Describe the pathophysiology of tubular intra-renal AKI
Complex blood supply –> cells infarct –> break away –> plug tubules –> decreased hydrostatic pressure = decreased GFR
What are 3 causes of tubular intra-renal AKI?
Necrosis:1. Prolonged ischaemia2. Infection3. Nephrotoxins
Describe the pathophysiology of interstitial intra-renal AKI
Inflammation and immune cells = damage