Genitourinary Flashcards
What is renal colic (nephrolithiasis)?
unilateral loin to groin pain that can be excruciating and fluctuates in severity (colicky) as the stone moves and settles - the presenting compliant in symptomatic kidney stones (nephrolithiasis)
What is the epidemiology of renal colic?
5-15% of people experience renal colic
What are the risk factors for renal colic/kidney stones?
Dehydration
Excess calcium in urine
Diet high in protein, sodium and sugar
Obesity
Certain medications/supplements
GI conditions such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
Hyperparathyroidism
What is the most common type of kidney stone?
75% calcium oxalate stones (enveloped shaped)
What are the clinical manifestations of renal colic?
painful urination
haematuria
cloudy urine
changes in urine (e.g. strong-smelling, increased urgency, reduced/increased frequency)
crystals in urine
fever
What are the investigations for renal colic?
computer tomography scan
urine dipstick, kidney USS, abdo XR, renal scan
Where are the most common sites of kidney stones?
pelvi-ureteric junction
pelvic brim
vesico-ureteric junction
What is the management for renal colic?
Analgesia e.g. paracetamol, NSAIDs
↑ fluid intake
watchful waiting for stones less than 5mm
larger stones (10mm+) require surgical intervention
What are the surgical options for large kidney stones?
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) - shock waves break stones into smaller parts so they can be passed
Ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy - camera inserted via the urethra to identify stone and then targeted lasers used to break it up
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) - nephroscope is inserted via incision through back into kidney to assess ureter - can break up stones
Open surgery - last resort to remove stones
What is acute kidney injury?
An acute drop in kidney function characterised by a:
Rise in creatinine of ≥25umol/L in 48hrs
Rise in creatinine of ≥50% in 7 days
Urine output of <0.5ml/kg/hr for >6 hours
What are the pre-renal causes of AKI?
[cause inadequate blood supply to kidneys reducing the filtration of blood]
- dehydration
- hypotension
- heart failure
What are the renal causes of AKI?
[intrinsic disease in the kidney leading to reduced filtration of blood]
- glomerulonephritis
- interstitial nephritis
- acute tubular necrosis
What are the post-renal causes of AKI?
[caused by obstruction to flow of urine out of the kidney]
- kidney stones
- masses such as cancer in the abdomen or pelvis
- ureteral strictures
- enlarged prostate or prostate
What are the risk factors for AKI?
Chronic kidney disease
Heart failure
Diabetes
Liver disease
Older age (65+)
Cognitive impairment
Nephrotoxic medications e.g. NSAIDS, ACE-is
use of contrast medium during CT scans
What are the clinical manifestations of AKI?
Commonly asymptomatic
Hypotension
Kidney insults
Reduced urine production
Changes in urinary urgency, frequency or hesitancy
What are the investigations for AKI?
Urinalysis for protein, blood, (acute nephritis) leukocytes, nitrites (infection) and glucose (diabetes)
USS (look for obstruction)
What is the management for AKI?
Stop nephrotoxic medications
Fluid rehydration ( IV fluids in pre-renal AKI)
Relieve obstruction
Severe AKI may require dialysis
What are the potential complications of AKI?
hyperkalaemia
fluid overload
heart failure
pulmonary oedema
metabolic acidosis
uraemia (high urea) –> encephalopathy or pericarditis
What is chronic kidney disease?
Chronic (>3months) reduction in kidney function with implications for health which tends to be permanent and progressive
Diagnostic characteristics: eGFR <60 or albuminuria
What is the normal urine output?
0.5ml/kg/hr
What is the aetiology of CKD?
Diabetes
Hypertension
Age-related decline
Glomerulonephritis
Polycystic kidney disease
Medications such as NSAIDS, PPIs + lithium
What are the risk factors for CKD?
Older age
Hypertension
Diabetes
Smoking
Use of medications that affect the kidneys
What are the key presentations for CKD?
Majority asymptomatic at presentation
Pruritus
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Oedema
Muscle cramps
Peripheral neuropathy
Pallor
Hypertension
What factors affect the progression of CKD?
non-modifiable: underlying cause of renal disease, race
modifiable: BP, level of proteinuria, exposure to nephrotoxics, underlying disease activity, further renal insults, dyslipidaemia, ↑phophate, acidosis, anaemia, smoking, glycaemic control if diabetic
What are the investigations for CKD?
Urine ACR (albumin:creatinine ratio)
Haematuria
Renal ultrasound
eGFR (part U&Es) - two tests 3 months <60ml/min apart confirms diagnosis
What is the management for CKD?
Treat contributing factors (diabetes, hypertension, glomerulonephritis)
Lifestyle changes (exercise, lose weight, stop smoking, diet changes)
Depends on severity but usual treatment =
ACE-I or Angiotensin-II receptor antagonist
Dapagliflozin + statin
Dialysis, kidney transplant in severe cases
What are the aims of management for CKD?
Slow the progression of disease
Reduce risk of cardiovascular disease
Reduce risk of complications
Treat complications
What is the definition of a lower UTI?
bladder infection (cystitis)
What is the definition of an upper UTI?
infection of renal pelvis (pyelitis and pyelonephritis)
What is the definition of a recurrent UTI?
2+ episodes of UTI in 6 months or 3+ episodes in 1 year
What is the definition of an uncomplicated UTI?
infection of the urinary tract by a usual pathogen in a person with a normal urinary tract and with normal kidney function
What is the definition of a complicated UTI?
Occurs where anatomical, functional, pharmacological factors predispose the person to persistent infection, recurrent infection or treatment failure
What is the epidemiology of UTIs?
1/3 women have UTIs by the age of 24
UTIs are much less common in men
What is the aetiology of UTIs?
Majority are caused by E. coli
Other causative organisms: Staphylococcus saprophyticus, proteus mirabilis, enterococci
Less common causative organisms (more likely in patients with underlying pathology and/or frequent infection): Klebsiella spp. , Proteus vulgaris, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas spp.
What are the risk factors for UTIs?
Female
Increasing age
Recent instrumentation of the renal tract
Abnormality of the renal tract
Incomplete bladder emptying - particularly by protastic obstruction in men
Antibiotic use
Use of spermicide
Sexual activity
Diabetes
Presence of catheter
Hospitalisation
Pregnancy
Immunocompromise
What are the key presentations of UTIs?
Urinary frequency
Pain on urination
Dysuria
Haematuria
Foul-smelling/cloudy urine
Urgency
Urinary incontinence
Suprapubic or loin pain
Rigors
Pyrexia
Nausea + vomiting
Acute confused state (elderly patients particularly)
What are the investigations for UTIs?
Bladder/kidney exam
Urine microscopy
Urine culture
Urine dipstick (not used when urinary catheter inserted)
What are the differential diagnoses for UTIs?
Urethral syndrome or atrophic vaginitis and urethritis in women
Other genital tract infections
In men, enlarged or inflamed prostate can present similarly
What is the general management for UTIs?
Increase fluid intake and personal hygiene behaviours
trimethoprim/nitrofurantoin 1 st line antibiotics
When can nitrofurantoin not be given for UTI treatment?
pregnancy in third trimester due to risk of neonatal jaundice/haemolysis
cant be used in G6PD deficiency
What is pyelonephritis?
infection of the renal parenchyma and soft tissues of renal pelvis/upper ureter
associated with significant sepsis and systemic upset, rigors
predominantly affects women <35
What is the classic triad of symptomos seen in pyelonephritis?
loin pain
fever
pyuria
What is nephritic syndrome?
refers to the following symptoms plus inflammation of the kidney without specifying a cause:
- haematuria
- oliguria (=significantly reduced urine output)
- proteinuria <3g.24hrs
- fluid retention
what are the 3 main signs of nephritic syndrome?
haematuria
loss of kidney function
signs of fluid overload (oedema)
What are 3 three main signs of nephrotic syndrome?
heavy proteinuria >3.5g/24hrs
hypoalbuminaemia
oedema
What is IgA nephropathy?
The presence of dominant or co-dominant mesangial IgA immune deposits which triggers variable degrees of glomerular inflammation and subsequent glomerular and tubulointerstitial scarring.
What are the risk factors for IgA nephropathy?
HIV infection
FHx of IgAN
Asian/white/native american ancestry
IgA vasculitis
CLD
Age 20-30 yrs
What are the key presentations of IgA nephropathy?
Visible haematuria 1-2 days after tonsillitis or gastroenteritis viral infection
Proteinuria
hypertension
oedema
What is the investigation for IgA nephropathy?
immunofluorescence microscopy shows IgA complex deposition
What is the management for IgA nephropathy?
Non-curative, 30% progress to end-stage renal failure
BP control (ACE-i)
What is post-strep glomerulonephritis?
Acute glomerulonephritis following streptococcal infection is a type III hypersensitivity reaction characterised by the sudden appearance of haematuria, proteinuria, RBC casts in the urine, oedema. and hypertension
What are the key presentations of post-strep glomerulonephritis?
visible haematuria 2 weeks after pharyngitis from group A, B haemolytic strep (S. pyogenes)
range from asymptomatic urinary to mild “acute nephritis” to a rapidly progressive clinical picture
What are the biopsy investigations and results for post-strep glomerulonephritis?
Light microscopy - hypercellular glomeruli
e- microscopy - subendothelial immune complex deposition
immunofluorescence shows starry sky appearance (IgG, IgM and C3 deposits along glomerular BM and mesangium)
What is the management for post-strep glomerulonephritis?
usually self-limiting, sometimes may progress to RGPN (rapidly-progressive glomerulonephritis)
Diuretics, salt and water restriction can be given to control fluid overload
What is Goodpasture’s disease?
a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body makes anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies which leads to pulmonary-renal syndrome (Goodpasture’s syndrome)
What are the risk factors for Goodpasture’s disease?
FHx
Smoking
Male
20-30 or 60-70 yrs
HLA-DRB or DR4
What is the aetiology of goodpasture’s disease?
it is caused by an antibody to the alpha-3 chain of type IV collagen which is principally found in the basement membranes of alveoli and glomeruli
What are the clinical presentations of Goodpasture’s disease?
oliguria
haemoptysis
oedema
crackles on lung examination
cough fever
nausea
What are the investigations for Goodpasture’s disease?
Renal function test
Renal biopsy (GS)
Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody titre
What are the differential diagnoses for Goodpasture’s disease?
post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
systemic lupus erythematous
microscopic polyangitis
What is the management for Goodpasture’s disease?
oral corticosteroid, plasmapheresis (remove pathogenic antibody)
What is SLE?
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disorder that most commonly affects women during their reproductive years and is characterised by antinuclear antibodies.
What are the clinical presentations of SLE nephropathy?
Haematuria
Foamy/cloudy urine (proteinuria)
Hypertension
Oedema
Weight gain (due to excess fluid)
High creatinine levels
What are the investigations for SLE nephropathy?
Urine sample
Blood test for antiphospholipid antibodies and antinuclear antibodies (ANA +ve, anti dsDNA +ve)
What is the management for SLE nephropathy
Cyclophosphamide (immunosuppressant)
Steroids
Hydroxychloroquine (anti-inflammatory)
What is nephrotic syndrome?
Kidney disorder which causes the body to pass too much protein in the urine, usually caused by damage to the glomeruli with the following symptoms:
Proteinuria (3-15g/day)
Hypoalbuminemia
Oedema
Hyperlipidaemia
Weight gain
What are the 3 key signs of nephrotic syndrome?
proteinuria
oedema
hypoalbuminaemia
What is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults?
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
What is minimal change disease?
Most common form of nephrotic syndrome (a clinical condition characterised by heavy proteinuria, oedema, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidaemia) affecting children.
What is the aetiology of minimal change disease?
Typically idiopathic but can be secondary to conditions such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukaemia and rarely hep B or C infection.
What are the risk factors for minimal change disease?
Viral illness
Hx of lymphoma or leukaemia
Age 1-8 yrs
Hep B or C infection
Low birth weight
What is the pathophysiology of minimal change disease?
An increase in glomerular permeability to proteins is the main process resulting in proteinuria. Although the pathogenesis of primary nephrotic syndrome is unclear, some evidence suggests that dysregulation of the immune system plays a role in development.
What are the key presentations of minimal change disease?
facial /generalised oedema
Normal BP
Absence of haematuria
Proteinuria
dyspnoea
What are the investigations for minimal change disease?
urinalysis , urine protein/creatinine ratio, serum albumin, lipid profile
Renal biopsy + e- microscopy (podocyte effacement + fusion)
What are the differential diagnoses for minimal change disease?
Acute glomerulonephritis
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Congestive heart failure
What is the management for minimal change disease?
Corticosteroid therapy
Fluid restriction and low salt diet
Albumin + furosemide
What is focal segmental glomerulosclerosis?
Chronic pathological process caused by injury to podocytes in the renal glomeruli resulting in nephropathy
What is the aetiology of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis?
Initiated by injury to podocytes in the renal glomeruli.
Primary FSGS: injury produced by unidentified circulating factors which alter the permeability of the glomeruli
Secondary FSGS: injury is produced by viruses, toxins, intrarenal haemodynamic changes or a maladaptive response to the loss of functioning nephrons.
What are the risk factors for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis?
Male
Black race
FHx
Heroin abuse
Causative medications
Chronic viral infection e.g. HIV
Obesity
Solitary or transplanted kidney
What is the pathophysiology of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis?
- damage to podocytes triggers apoptosis
- podocytes detach from the glomerular basement membrane and are destroyed
- the podocyte numbers decline leaving the GBM exposed
- maladaptive interactions between the GBM and parietal epithelial cells occurs
- the epithelial, endothelial and mesangial cells proliferate
- glomerular tuft undergoes sclerosis creating characteristic lesions
What are the key presentations of FSGS?
proteinuria
oedema
hypertension
What are the characteristic signs of FSGS?
Muekrcke’s lines (white banding on nails due to hypoalbuminaemia)
Xanthelasma and xanthomas (skin cholesterol deposits due to hypercholesterolaemia)
Lymphadenopathy
What are the investigations for FSGS?
urinalysis, serum urea, creatinine, albumin, lipids, GFR
light microscopy - segmental sclerosis (NB<50% glomeruli affected)
What is the management for FSGS?
treat underlying cuase
ACE-i/A-II recetpor antagonist with sodium restriction
What is membranous nephropathy?
Chronic immunologically mediated disease of the glomerular basement membrane that may resolve spontaneously, persist with stable renal function or progress to kidney failure
Can be either primary (80%) with no identifiable cause or secondary to an underlying cause
What is membranous nephropathy?
Chronic immunologically mediated disease of the glomerular basement membrane that may resolve spontaneously, persist with stable renal function or progress to kidney failure
Can be either primary (80%) with no identifiable cause or secondary to an underlying cause
What are the causes of secondary membranous nephropathy?
Autoimmune: systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome
Infectious: hepatitis B and C, syphilis
Malignancy: solid organ carcinoma (colorectal, lung, etc.), lymphoma, or melanoma
Drugs: gold, captopril, lithium, penicillamine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Other: sarcoidosis, post-renal transplant.
What are the risk factors for membranous nephropathy?
Male
Age >40 yrs
HLA-DR3
Autoimmune disease
Hep B or C
Syphilis solid organ carcinoma
Medications
Sarcoidosis
Post-renal transplantation
What are the clinical presentations of membranous nephropathy?
Oedema
Elevated BP
Proteinuria or abnormal renal function
Xanthelasma
Foamy urine
Fatigue /malaise
Anorexia
Muercke’s lines
What are the investigations for membranous nephropathy?
urinalysis, serum urea, creatinine, albumin, lipid, urine protein to creatinine ratio
light microscopy - thickened GBM
e- microscopy - sub-podocyte immune complex depositions, spike + dome appearance
What is the management for FSGS?
low salt + protein diet
treatment of symptoms/underlying cause
What are 2 conditions which can present as both nephrotic and nephritic?
diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis
membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis
What is diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis?
a histopathologic classification of glomerulonephritis commonly associated with autoimmune diseases, characterised by an increased cellular proliferation affecting >50% of the glomeruli
What is the aetiology of diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis?
Lupus nephritis class IV is the most common cause of DPGN
IgA nephropathy
Anti-glomerular basement membrane disease
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Microscopic polyangiitis
What is the pathophysiology of diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis?
Immunological attack on the glomerulus —> ↑GBM permeability to protein, RBCs and WBCs
Capillary loops become obliterated and sclerosis develops → hypertension and renal failure
Fibrinoid necrosis in the glomerular vasculature → vasculitis → ↓renal filtration and function
What are the key presentations of DPGN?
Most symptoms result from the decrease in GFR caused by DPGN
Nonspecific symptoms: nausea, fatigue, vomiting, oliguria
Nephritic symptoms: proteinuria, hypertension, oedema, haematuria
What are the investigations for DPGN?
FBC, renal function tests, urinalysis
Renal biopsy
Renal USS
What are the differential diagnoses for DPGN?
Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
What is the management for DPGN?
ACE-i + statin for mild disease
Steroids for significant disease
IN ESRD - dialysis/kidney transplant
What is membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis?
A form of glomerulonephritis caused by an abnormal immune response.
What are the characteristic histological features of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis?
Proliferation of mesangial and endothelial cells and expansion of the mesangial matrix
Thickening of the peripheral capillary walls by subendothelial immune deposits and/or intramembranous dense deposits
Mesangial interposition into the capillary wall, giving rise to a double-contour or tram-track appearance on light microscopy
What is the aetiology of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis?
May be idiopathic or secondary (more common) in aetiology
Autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, Sjogren syndrome)
Cancer (leukaemia, lymphoma)
Infections (hep b, c, endocarditis, malaria)
What are the risk factors for membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis?
Autoimmune disease
Hepatitis B or C
Cryoglobulinaemia
Monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition diseases
Subacute bacterial endocarditis
Infection of a ventriculoatrial shunt
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
What is the pathophysiology of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis?
Deposits of antibodies build up in a part of the kidneys called the glomerular basement membrane and cause damage which result in the leakage of blood and protein to leak into the urine.
What are the key presentations of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
Haematuria
Proteinuria
Oedema
Changes in mental state, decreased alertness
Decrease in urine volume
Dark urine