Imaging Renal and Urological Diseases Flashcards

1
Q

What causes renal colic?

A

Usually ureteric calculus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Which conditions may simulate renal colic?

A
  1. Pyelonephritis
  2. Gynaecological disease
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Which investigation is done if either pyelonephritis or gynaecoligical disease are suspected to be simulating renal colic?

A

USS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Which investigations are carried out in a patient with suspected renal colic caused by ureteric calculi?

A
  1. KUB x-ray
  2. CT
  3. MRI
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is a KUB x-ray?

A

An abdominal x-ray of the kidneys, ureters and bladder

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

In which instance would different tests be used to examine renal colic as a result of ureteric calculi and which tests would be utilised?

A

Pregnancy

USS or MRI

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Which test is generally done first for suspected renal colic as a result of ureteric calculi?

A

KUB x-ray

  • Easy to obtain
  • Only shows a minority of the most severe renal tract calculi
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How can the renal collecting system including the ureters and bladder be made visible on imagine?

A

IV contrast

(intravenous urogram)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

At which sites do ureteric calculi generally become stuck?

A
  1. Pelviureteric junction
  2. Pelvic brim
  3. Vesicoureteric junction (ureteric orifice)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

For which two main reasons does a KUB x-ray lack specificity and sensitivity respectively?

A

Many other causes of calcification can be picked up e.g. uterine fibroids, lymph nodes, arterial calcification

Small or radiolucent calculi are not shown

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the definitive test for detecting ureteric calculi?

A

Non-contrast enhanced CT

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

For which 3 reasons is a non-contrast enhanced CT a suitable test for diagnosing a patient with suspected ureteric calculi?

A

Shows almost all calculi irrespective of size or calcium content

Highlights areas of obstruction increasing diagnostic confidence

Can point to alternative diagnoses e.g. appendicitis or hernia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the two downsides to non-contrast enhancing CT in detecting ureteric calculi?

A

Occasionally struggles to distinguish between small calculi and phleboliths

High radiation dose should be avoided in pregnancy, young females or when USS/MRI could get the same information

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is a phlebolith?

A

A small local, usually rounded, calcification within a vein

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is macroscopic haematuria?

A

Visible blood in the urine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Where can macroscopic haematuria arise?

A
  1. Kidney
  2. Ureter
  3. Bladder
  4. Urethra
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Which investigations can a used for those over 50 to determine the cause of macroscopic haematuria?

A

CT urography

Cytoscopy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What parts of the urinary tarct can cytoscopy examine?

A

Bladder and urethra

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What additional options does ureteroscopy (cytoscopy) give when examining for macroscopic haematuria?

A

Confirms tumour if CTU is equivocal

Ablation of tumours in patient unable for nephroureterectomy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

A non-contrast CT scan of the urinary tract is the most sensitive way to detect what?

A

Ureteric calculi

21
Q

A contrast enhanced CT scan of the urinary tract is the most sensitive way to detect what?

A

Renal parenchymal tumours

Urothelial tumours of the collecting systems or ureters

22
Q

Which investigations can be used in those under 50 with macroscopic haematuria?

A

USS of kidneys

Cytoscopy

CTU (ony when other tests are normal and macroscopic haematuria persists)

23
Q

What is the purpose of USS in those under 50 with macroscopic haematuria?

A

Detects calculi

Detects renal parenchymal tumours

24
Q

What is the purpose of cytoscopy in those under 50 with macroscopic haematuria?

A

Occasional bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC)

Bladder calculi

Other bladder tumours

Urethritis/prostatitis

25
Q

For which reason(s) is CT urography (CTU) unjustified in those under 50 with macroscopic haematuria?

A

Incidence of urothelial tumours is rare

(extra radiation dose is unjustified)

26
Q

What are the benefits to MR urography?

A

No contrast

No radiation

27
Q

In which patients may MR urography be useful for determining the cause of macroscopic haematuria?

A

Contrast allergy

Renal impairment

Pregancy

28
Q

Why is CTU a better test than MRU?

A

More sensitive for small calculi or upper tract TCC

29
Q

In terms of renal masses, what information may a CT be able to acquire?

A

Size

Density

Uniformity

Internal morphology e.g. nodules, septa

30
Q

Why are renal masses smaller than 3cm followed up rather than operated on?

A

They very rarely metastasize

31
Q

What is the term given to renal masses containing fat?

A

Angiomyolipomas

32
Q

Which imaging modality is usually sufficient to diagnose a simple cyst in the renal system?

A

USS

33
Q

What imaging modality is used to assess malignant renal tumours for staging?

A

CT

(assesses local extent, nodal disease and metastatic disease)

34
Q

How are the causes of renal impairment classified?

A

Pre-renal (dehydration, hypotension, renal artery stenosis)

Renal (parenchymal disease, drugs, toxins)

Post-renal (obstruction)

35
Q

How will pre-renal disease generally be imaged?

A

MR angiography

(to detect renal artery stenosis)

36
Q

How will renal disease generally be imaged?

A

USS

(in order to guide biopsy)

37
Q

How can post-renal disease be imaged?

A

USS useful for hydronephrosis and assessing completeness of bladder emptying

CT for other causes of obstruction

38
Q

How can epididymo-orchitis and testicular torsion be differentiated on USS?

A

Epididymo-orchitis - Highly vascular

Testicular torsion - Typically avascular

39
Q

Which imaging test is used primarily for testicular pathologies?

A

USS

(excellent for superficial soft tissue structures)

40
Q

How does a hydrocele present on USS?

A

Black anechoic fluid surrounds the teste

41
Q

How does a epididymal cyst classically present on USS?

A

Anechoic uni or multilocular cysts typically arising in the epididymal head

42
Q

Renal injury is best assessed via which imaging modality?

A

CT

43
Q

What are the two categories for bladder rupture?

A

Intraperitoneal

Extraperitoneal

44
Q

How is a bladder rupture diagnosed?

A

Cystography

CT cystography

(contrast can be seen leaking through the bladder tear into intra or extraperitoneal space)

45
Q

What is cystography?

A

Using a urinary catheter, radiocontrast is instilled in the bladder, and X-ray imaging is performed

46
Q

Urethral disruption is often associated with which kinds of injury processes?

A

Anterior pelvic fracture/dislocation

Straddle injury

47
Q

If there is clinical suspicion of urethral disruptuion, what should not be attempted?

A

Catheterisation

(e.g. if there’s meatal bleeding, or urine cannot be passed)

48
Q

What are the commonest causes for a painless scrotal swelling?

A

Hernia

Varicocele

Hydrocoele

Epididymal cyst

(testicular tumour is rare)