MFHD Flashcards
What is Asherman syndrome?
Rare, acquired condition of uterus. - Scar tissue / adhesions form in uterus due to some form of trauma, In severe cases the entire front + back walls of uterus can fuse together
Oligospermia = ?
<15 million/ml
Azoospermia= ?
Complete absence of sperm
Asthenospermia = ?
Problems with sperm mobility - slow movement, not in straight line
Teratospermia = ?
Abnormal sperm morphology
What physiological changes happen to sperm in capacitation?
MPH
Membrane (changes to cell membrane)
Proteins (changes in sperm cell surface proteins)
Hyper activation / improved mobility
How is implantation regulated?
Uterine + embryo must be synchronised
- embryo must reach blastocyst stage
- uterus must attain state of ‘receptivity’
- Uterus only receptive for 24 h!
*Window of implantation = endocrine control! Preparation of endometrium for implantation - progesterone dominance!
What are the 4 stages of implantation?
HAAI. Hatching - shedding of zona pellucida Apposition Adhesion Invasion
What is decidual tissue and what process does it undergo?
Decidual tissue = stromal cells of endometrial lining
- Undergoes decidualization —> forming maternal component of placenta
What is ectopic pregnancy?
Blastocyst implants anywhere other than endometrial lining of uterine cavity
- most common site of ectopic pregnancy: within Fallopian tube, but can be in ovary, abdominally / organs e.g. liver
What are the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy?
Surgeries, prior STIs, history of infertility, prior ectopic pregnancy, *smoking, advanced age, Fallopian tube injury e.g. PID / endometriosis
How do you manage ectopic pregnancy?
Medical - methotrexate
Surgical - laparoscopic, laparotomy
What are the general symptoms of ectopic pregnancy?
- lower abdominal pain + guarding
- vaginal bleeding
- signs of pregnancy: amenorrhoea, nausea, breast tenderness, increased urination
- enlarged uterus
- closed cervix
- cervical motion tenderness (extreme pain with bimanual exam in pelvic exam finding) —> usually associated with PID
What is the function of hCG?
Rescues corpus Luteum from luteolysis
hCG - maintains CL function & progesterone output until placenta takes over
When does placenta take over production of progesterone from corpus Luteum?
~6 weeks of pregnancy
some say ~8-10 weeks
How does placenta produce oestrogen?
Placenta lacks the enzyme to produce oestrogen directly - it cooperates with foetus to make oestrogen
What is pre-eclampsia? (placental pathology)
Hypertensive, multisystem disorder characterised by increased BP + proteinuria
- For foetus - can result in FGR
- For mum - can cause renal failure, seizures, stroke
*Poorly perfused placenta
What is placental accrete?
Abnormally deep attachment of placenta
What is placental incretia?
Thru INto deep layers of myometrium
What is placental percreta?
Thru uterine serosa - thru wall of uterus
What is placental Previa?
Attachment of placenta too close to cervix —> obstructs delivery of baby
What is gestational trophoblastic disorder?
Abnormal proliferation of trophoblast with enlarged hydropic chorionic villi
Clinically: high hCG, vaginal bleeding, enlarged uterus, preeclampsia
What is hydatidiform mole? How many different types are there?
Voluminous mass of swollen (sometimes cystically dilated) chorionic villi - appearing grossly as grapelike structures
2 subtypes: complete / partial - both result from abnormal fertilisation, both have elevated hCG + absence of foetal heart sounds
What are the differences between complete / partial hydatidiform moles?
Complete:
- NOT compatible with embryogenesis
- NEVER contain foetal parts
- ALL chorionic villi abnormal
- Chorionic epithelial cells DIPLOID
- Entire genetic content supplied by 2 spermatozoa (or diploid sperm) —> diploid cells containing ONLY PATERNAL chromosomes
- Hydropic swelling of poorly vascularised chorionic villi with a loose, myxomatosis, oedematous stroma
Partial:
- Compatible with early embryo formation
- May contain foetal parts
- Some normal chorionic villi
- Chorionic epithelial cells almost always TRIPLOID
- NORMAL egg fertilised by 2 spermatozoa (or diploid sperm) —> triploid
- Villi has characteristic irregular, scalloped margin
What is invasive mole?
Complete moles that are invasive locally but DO NOT have the aggressive metastatic potential of choriocarcinoma
- Retains hydropic villi which penetrate uterine wall deeply (possibly causing rupture + sometimes life-threatening haemorrhage)
- epithelium of villi shows atypical changes + proliferation of both trophoblastic & syncytial components
- metastases DO NOT occur!
What is gestational choriocarcinoma?
Very aggressive malignant tumour
- Arise from gestational chorionic epithelium / (less frequently) totipotential cells within gonads [as germ cell tumour]
- ~50% arise from complete hydatidiform moles
- (In most cases) Manifests with a bloody, brownish discharge + rising b-hCG in urine & blood in the absence of uterine enlargement
*By the time most are discovered - widespread vascular spread has occurred to lungs / vagina / brain liver…
- Placental choriocarcinoma - remarkably sensitive to chemo —> ~100% affected patients are cured!
- Gonadal choriocarcinoma - response to chemo poor!
How can infections reach placenta?
- Ascension thru birth canal (more common)
- Mycoplasma, candida & numerous bacteria of vaginal flora - Hamatogenous (transplacental) spread
- Placental villi most frequently affected
- Can be caused by syphilis, TB, toxoplasmosis, rubella, CMV..
- transplacental infections can affect foetus —> TORCH (toxoplasmosis, other infections, rubella, CMV infection, herpes) complex
What is a major risk factor for tubal ectopic pregnancy?
Chronic salpingitis (inflammation of fallopian)
Why is ectopic pregnancy a concern?
Rupture of ectopic pregnancy -may be catastrophic, with sudden onset of intense abdominal pain + signs of an acute abdomen, followed by shock
*Prompt surgical intervention necessary
What is the role of progesterone in pregnancy?
- maternal recognition of pregnancy, implantation, decidualization
- maintain uterine + placental integrity + synthetic capacity
- foetal tranquilliser
- maternal effects: increased appetite, fat deposition, tranquillise , mammary dev
- modifies immune response
- **Influences sensitivity of myometrium to uterotonins —> decreases spontaneous activity + response to oxytocin & prostaglandins
*Progesterone —> progesterone receptor —> INHIBIT CAPs (contraction associated proteins) gene expression —> contractile proteins inhibited
- progesterone withdrawal required for childbirth!
- Low progesterone —> abortion
What is the role of oestrogen in pregnancy?
Oestrogen —> oestrogen receptor —> ACTIVATES CAPs
- Produced by feto-placental unit (increases towards term)
- Foetus produces androgens —> androgens converted by placenta to oestrogen
What are the stages of parturition?
0 - myometrium quiescence
1 - activation of myometrium + ripening of cervix [*Uterotonins (hormones) —> stimulate contraction by increasing intracellular Ca2+]
2 - expulsion of baby
3 - expulsion of placenta + uterine involution
What is placental CRH important in parturition?
Placental CRH (in cytotrophoblast + syncytiotrophoblasts) increases towards term —> circulates in both mother & foetus —> stimulate cortisol synthesis [cortisol has positive feedback —> more CRH gene expression]
*CRH drives androgen production in foetus + acts upon myometrium
How is oestrogen produced for parturition?
From cholesterol, placenta produces pregnanolone —> androgen in foetus —> androgen comes back to placenta to be aromatised to oestrogen —> oestrogen drives myometrium contractility (while progesterone inhibits)
What is Ferguson reflex?
- Positive feedback pathway
- Neuroendocrine reflex comprising self-sustaining cycle of uterine contractions initiated by pressure at cervix / vaginal walls
When does implantation normally occur?
Blastocyst normally implants ~day 5-7
What happens after fertilisation?
Zygote —> morula —> blastocyst
When is hCG first detectable in maternal blood?
On day 8
What is yolk sac?
1st layer of interchange with mother & exchange of nutrients + gases by diffusion only!
- Lasts a few weeks
- Is the 1st site of foetal hemopoiesis (RBC production)
What’s the 1st foetal organ to develop (after placenta)?
Heart! It starts contracting ~day 21
What are the 3 shunts that exist in-utero & close after delivery?
- Foramen ovale (RA-LA)
- Ductus arteriosus (PA-descending thoracic aorta)
- Ductus venosus (umbilical vein-IVC)
Why is cortisol important for foetus?
Important for maturation of foetal lung (pulmonary surfactant)
Describe foetal lung development.
*Foetal lungs = fluid-filled structures that must transition rapidly to air-breathing at birth
Stages of lung dev:
- Embryonic 0-6 weeks
- Pseudo glandular 6-16 weeks
- Canalicular 16-26 (gas exchange possible but in latter stages)
- Saccular 26-term
- Alveolar (32 weeks & ongoing after birth into early childhood)
*Foetal breathing movement: begin as early as 12 weeks’ gestation
What happens to the lungs in preterm birth?
Pulmonary immaturity - preterm baby’s greatest threat! [due to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)
- Major improvement in reducing RDS + improving survival with antenatal administration of corticosteroids prior delivery
- Surfactant —> given to new born via trachea —> assist ventilation of preterm lung
What are some foetal renal impairment conditions?
Bilateral renal agenesis = absence of both kidneys at birth
Multi cystic dysplasia kidney disease = kidneys consisting irregular cysts of varying size that resemble a bunch of grapes
What are the maternal causes of FGR (foetal growth restriction)?
HTN, renal disease, diabetes, SLE, chronic disease e.g. CF, drugs (cigarettes, alcohol, cocaine, heroin), meds e.g. beta-blocker, age extremes, malnutrition, previous history
What are the placental causes of FGR (foetal growth restriction)?
- Primary placental disease - placenta insufficiency
- Placenta unable to deliver adequate supply of nutrients + O2 to foetus - Placental mosaicism (e.g. trisomy 16,20)
- Difference between chromosome makeup of cells in placenta + cells in foetus - Placenta praevia - placenta attaches inside the uterus but in abnormal position near / over cervical opening
- Symptoms: vaginal bleeding in 2nd half of pregnancy - Placental abruption - placenta separates early from uterus (before childbirth)
- symptoms: vaginal bleeding, lower abdominal pain, dangerously low BP - Placental infarction - interruption of blood supply to a part of placenta —> cell death
What is amniotic fluid a marker of?
Foetal hydration.
Also reflects foetal urine output
What are the symptoms of pregnancy complications?
Per vaginal (PV) bleeding, abdominal pains (can indicate miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy)
When do most pregnant women feel foetal movements?
~22 weeks
Why is BP in pregnant women usually low?
Due to vasodilation!
*Always check BP & URINE in 2nd + 3rd trimester! If BP >140/90 mmHg, and there’s protein in urine —> you’d be worried of pre-eclampsia!
What is puerperium?
6 weeks from time of delivery of baby + placenta
What are the anatomical + physiological changes in pregnancy / postpartum?
CVS:
- in pregnancy: increased volume + decreased peripheral vascular resistance —> increased CO
- immediately postpartum: increased CO
*Pregnancy induces a hypercoagulable state —> increase risk of DVT
GIT changes mainly on mobility —> constipation + haemorrhoids
Often complain dry vagina on initial intercourse; resumption of menses delay if breastfeeding
*Those who develop gestational diabetes have 50% lifetime risk of developing DM
What are the early maternal issues?
Common:
- ‘afterbirth’ pains, perineal discomfort, constipation / haemorrhoids, voiding, MSK pain, postpartum neuropathy, blues, breast engorgement (occurs 1st week postpartum)
Uncommon:
1. postpartum haemorrhage = excessive bleeding following birth:
—> caused by 4T’s: Tone, Trauma (laceration, rupture, haematoma), Tissue (retained tissue / invasive placenta), Thrombin (coagulopathy)
2. DVT / PE
3. Infection
What are the late maternal issues?
Common:
- Voiding function, persisting back pain, exercise ability, sexual dysfunction
Uncommon:
- mastitis, postpartum depression
What are the roles of oestrogen & progesterone in lactation?
Oestrogen - responsible for growth of ductal tissue + alveolar budding
Progesterone - required for optimal maturation of alveolar glands
What are the functions of oxytocin + prolactin in lactation?
Oxytocin (posterior pituitary)
- released in response to afferent nerve endings in nipple + areola stimulated during suckling
- contracts myoepithelial cells around alveoli
- ejects milk along lactiferous ducts thru nipple pores into baby’s mouth
Prolactin (anterior pituitary)
- receptor sites on alveoli —> produce milk
- Prolactin is a necessary hormone for milk production
What are the processes involved in initiation + maintenance of lactation?
- Mammogenesis
- ductal sprouting + branching, cellular division + proliferation - Lactogenesis I
- late pregnancy - Lactogenesis II
- Onset of copious milk production
- 30-72h post birth
- marked decreased progesterone - Lactogenesis III
- maintenance of lactation
- autocrine (supply / demand)
**Lactation is not initiated until plasma oestrogen, progesterone + placental lactogen levels decrease after delivery!
What are the breastfeeding challenges?
- painful / traumatised nipples. [tenderness + sensitivity normal BUT PAIN IS NOT]
- blocked ducts —> can cause pain
- breast engorgement
- mastitis
What is breast engorgement?
- bilateral
- due to vascular congestion + accumulation of milk
- breasts become firm + painful —> infant likely have difficulty attaching
Management:
- softening areola
- breastfeeding more often
- apply warmth to assist milk ejection reflex
- apply cold packs after feeding / expressing
- simple analgesia / anti-inflammatory med
What is mastitis?
- Unilateral!
inflammation of interstitial cells (due to skin of nipple being vulnerable to dev of fissures)—> cellulitis (can become abscess if untreated) - localised tenderness, redness, heat
- systemic reactions!!! (Fever, malaise, nausea, vomiting)
- common organisms: S.aureus, E.coli, strep
Management:
- resolves with antibiotics + continued expression of breast milk
What’s the difference between breast engorgement and mastitis?
Breast engorgement - bilateral, no systemic symptoms
Mastitis - unilateral, systemic involvement
How do you know if there’s abscess formation in mastitis?
Presence of pitting oedema over inflamed area + any degree of fluctuation = abscess formation!
Necessary to incise + open loculated areas & provide wide drainage
What is fecundability & fecundity?
Fecundability = probability of achieving a pregnancy within a single menstrual cycle Fecundity = probability of achieving a life birth within a single cycle
What would you ask when taking history from a female who’s suspected of infertility?
Social history Age Med history Menstrual history Age of menarche Surgical history, obstetric history Duration of infertility Contraceptive + sexual history Previous contraceptive methods STIs? Fam history
What are some of the factors that could reduce chance of conception?
Obesity / underweight
Smoking / alcohol / caffeine
Occupation - heavy metal, pesticide, solvents —> decrease fertility
*Chlamydia - can cause infertility
What are the genes important for testis development?
SRY, SOX9
What is the function of AMH and testosterone?
Promote regression of paramesonephric duct (Mullerian) & retention of mesonephric (Wolffian duct)
*Wolffian - epididymis, vas deferans, seminal vesicles, ejaculatory ducts
Progesterone production from placenta is most dependant on?
Side chain cleavage enzyme expression in placenta!
SCCE expression in placenta –> converts cholesterol to pregnenolone
What does serovars D-K chlamydia trochomatis cause?
Genital tract infections
*most common notifiable STI
What causes LGV (lymphogranuloma venerum)?
LGV: invasive, associated with genital ulcer in tropical countries
- Chlamydia trochomatis serovars L1-3
What do you use to treat chlamydia?
Doxycycline - contraindicated in pregnancy!
What does Chlamydia trochomatis serovars A,B,Ba,C cause?
Trachoma (chronic conjunctivitis, can cause blindness)
What are some examples of microbes that cause STIs?
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Syphilis
- Mycoplasma
- HSV (herpes)
- HPV (papilloma)
- HTLV (human retroviral infection)
What are the consequences of STI caused by gonorrhoea?
Males - epididymitis, prostatitis, urethral stricture
Females - cervicitis, endometritis, bartholinitis, salpingitis
Both - urethritis, proctitis (rectum), pharyngitis, disseminated gonococcal infection
What is Neisseria gonorrhoea (gram…shape)?
Gram-negative diplococcus
How do we treat gonorrhoea STIs?
Use ceftriaxone + azithromycin
Which STIs must we test in pregnancy?
- **SYPHILIS! - congenital transmission —> spontaneous abortion, still birth, neonatal infection
- can be tested using swab / blood tests
- HTLV (human retroviral infection) - can also be transmitted from mother-child
- HSV - can be harmful to baby if acquired during pregnancy
How many stages are there in Syphilis infection?
3
- Primary (resolves in 1-5 weeks, very infectious!)
- Secondary (palmar rash, lymphadenopathy, condylomata Latum)
- Tertiary (neurosyphilis, aortitis)
How do you treat Syphilis infections?
Benzathine penicillin (long-acting)
- DO NOT use short acting penicillin!
- Doxycycline generally should be reserved for non-pregnant!
What do people with Mycoplasma infection (STI) present with?
Men: urethritis
Women: cervicitis
How do you treat Mycoplasma infections?
Use doxycycline followed by moxifloxacin
Describe HSV infections. (What does it cause, transmission)
HSV 1 + 2 —> can cause genital ulceration
Transmission: skin-skin
Can be harmful to baby if acquired during pregnancy
*HSV —> primary + recurrent herpes, neonatal herpes
What do you use to treat HSV infections? (Herpes)
Valaciclovir
Describe HPV infections (human papilloma virus) [what does it cause, prevention..]
Low risk HPV types —> benign anogenital warts
Males: cancer of penis (some cases)
Females: cervical dysplasia + cancer, vulvar cancer
Prevention: vaccination
What are the treatments for HPV infections?
Topical treatment: cryotherapy, podophyllotoxin, imiquimod, laser therapy
How is HTLV infections (human retroviral) transmitted & what’s most commonly affected in HTLV-1 associated inflammatory disease?
Transmission: mother-child, sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, organ transplantation, sharing of infecting paraphernalia
*Most commonly affected in HTLV-1 associated inflammatory disease: spinal cord
What is euploidy? How does it occur?
Results from + / - of whole sets of chromosomes
Can arise by:
- 2 sperm nuclei enter ovum
- ovum fuses with polar body
- complete non-disjunction in zygote / somatic cells
Is polyploidy lethal ?
YES. Either in utero/ neonatally
How did aneuploidy occur?
= Changes in chr number not involving whole sets of chr
Arise from: non-disjunction of chromosomes at meiosis
Are all monosomies lethal?
ALL monosomy (except 45X) are lethal!!
What are the presentations of Turners syndrome (45XO)?
- often short + webbed neck, short stature, swollen hands + feet at birth
- AMENORRHOEA, POOR BREAST DEV
- heart defects, diabetes, LOW TH, VISION + hearing problems
What are the presentations of Klinefelter (47XXY)?
Primary feature: sterility!!
- weaker muscles
- less body hair
- smaller genitals
- breast growth
What is uniparental disomy (UPD)?
The individual has 2 copies of a specific chr but they both come from 1 parent!
- can result from isodisomy (meiosis II error) / heterodisomy (meiosis I error)
- can —> imprinting disorder
What is multifactorial inheritance? How does it differ from polygenic traits?
Multifactorial = phenotypes are produced by a COMBINATION of genetic + environmental factors
Polygenic tracts = determined mostly by GENETICS involving multiple loci but v. Intel environmental factors involved e.g. hair / eye colour
Where is pseudo-autosomal regions (PAR) located?
At termini of both X and Y chromosomes
What is Swyer syndrome?
XY females.
- mutations in SRY
- Hypogonadism (primary amenorrhoea, NO onset of puberty!)
What are some X-linked inherited disorders?
- Haemophilia
- X-SCID (X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency disorder)
- R-G colour blindness
- Muscular dystrophy
- Fragile X
- X-linked hypophosphatemia (phex inactivation —> hypophosphatemic Vit D-resistant rickets )
What is erectile dysfunction?
Inability to achieve + / maintain erection sufficient for intercourse
How does penile erection occur?
PARASYMPATHETIC —> releases cholinergic —> nitric oxide (NO) goes thru guanylyl cyclase —> GTP converted to cGMP —> cGMP activates protein kinase —> reduce Ca2+ in muscle —> less Ca2+ causes smooth muscle RELAXATION —> blood into penis + starts blocking veins when arterial pressure is high => penile erection
Is penile erection para/sympathetic? What about ejaculation?
Penile erection - parasympathetic (point)
Ejaculation - sympathetic (shoot)
What are the potential vascular causes of erectile dysfunction?
HTN, CVS, atherosclerosis, DM
What are the neurogenic causes of erectile dysfunction?
Spinal cord injury, trauma, stroke, Parkinson, MS, epilepsy, DM
What are the endocrine causes of erectile dysfunction?
Klinefelter, acquired hypogonadism, thyroid / pituitary disease
What are the iatrogenic causes of erectile dysfunction?
Med side effect, post-operative, traumatic
What are the structural causes of erectile dysfunction?
Peyronie’s disease - plaques (segments of flat scar tissue) form under skin of penis —> can cause penis to bend / indebted during erections
Congenital chordee - abnormal dev of penis - curves downwards
Hypospadias - abnormal opening of urethra on ventral aspect of penis (anywhere along the shaft)
Old age
What is the 1st line treatment for erectile dysfunction?
PDE5 inhibitors!
(In Aus) OD Viagra (sildenafil citrate) / OD Levitra (vardenafil hydrochloride) / OD + OAD Cialis (tadalafil)
- MOA: dependent on intact nerves!
- Start maximal dose; de-escalate therapy
What are some other treatment options for erectile dysfunction (not 1st-line)?
- Vacuum erective device (VED)
- more cost effective than daily PDE5 inhibitors use - Penile prosthesis implant
- 3-piece inflatable penis device
- works on hydraulic principle
- usually lasts 5-10 years
What are the classic triad of acute prostate cancer emergency ? How do you treat it?
Lower back pain, lower limb motor + sensory weakness, urinary + bowel incontinence
- Diagnosis - MRI (CT) spine
- Remember to do DRE!!
Treatment: acute spinal stabilisation (if there’s spinal cord compression), steroid, radiation + androgen deprivation therapy
What is priapism?
Persistent erections >4 hours
Painful (venous) vs. painless (arterial)
*You need blood flow for erections to occur!
What is penile fracture?
Sudden injury to erect penis, usually during sexual intercourse (“pop”)
- acute pain + penile detumescence followed by penile bruising + deformity
- Immediate repair associated with faster recovery, better preservation of erectile function + avoids penile curvature
What is Fournier’s gangrene? (Male urological emergency)
Rapidly fulminating, gangrenous infection of genitalia
- usually begins as extension of infection from urinary, perineal, abdominal / retroperitoneal sites // secondary trauma
- diagnosis: inflammation, necrosis, crepitus
What is emphysematous pyelonephritis? (Male urological emergency)
Urosepsis with obstruction + presence of gas in collecting system (seen on CT)
*Gas in kidney —> bad!
What is the most common form of cancer in men?
Prostate cancer
What is the morphology of prostate cancer?
- More advanced lesions - appear as firm, grey-white lesions with ill-defined margins that infiltrate the adjacent gland
Histo: glands typically smaller than benign glands, typically lined by a single uniform layer of cuboidal / low columnar epithelium
- Nuclei are enlarged, prominent nucleoli + dark cytoplasm
How is prostate cancer graded?
By Gleason system - 5 grades on the basis of glandular patterns of differentiation [Grade 1 = most well-differentiated tumours; grade 5 = no glandular differentiation]
Which zone of prostate does 70-80% of prostate cancer arise from?
Peripheral zone!!
- Contains majority of glandular tissue
Why do we do DRE to test prostate cancer?
70-80% arise in outer (peripheral) zones - hence may be palpable as irregular hard nodules on DRE
What happens when prostate cancer is locally advanced?
Often infiltrate seminal vesicles + periurethral zones of prostate & may invade the adjacent soft tissues, wall of urinary bladder / (less commonly) rectum
What is the most important test used in diagnosis + management of prostatic cancer?
PSA (prostate-specific antigen) assay
*Organ-specific BUT not cancer-specific!!!
What is the limitation of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) assay?
It’s organ-specific BUT NOT cancer-specific!
*BPH, prostatitis, ejaculation —> also increases serum PSA
What are the most common treatments for clinically localised prostate cancer?
Radical prostatectomy + radiotherapy
*Advanced metastatic carcinoma - treated by androgen deprivation
How many zones are there in prostate?
3.
Peripheral - contains majority of glandular tissues (70-80% prostate cancer arise here)
Central - surrounds ejaculatory ducts
Transition - surrounds urethra as it enters prostate gland
How many cell layers does a normal prostate gland contain?
Two. - Flat basal cell layer + overlying columnar secretory cell layer
What are the clinical features of acute bacterial prostatitis?
Fever, chills, dysuria, may be complicated by sepsis
On rectal exam, prostate exquisitely tender + boggy
What are the clinical features of chronic bacterial prostatitis?
Low back pain, dysuria, perineal + suprapubic discomfort
*usually associated with recurrent UTI
How do you treat acute & chronic bacterial prostatitis?
Antibiotics
What causes BPH? What’s the ultimate mediator of prostatic growth?
Proliferation of stromal + epithelial elements with resultant enlargement of gland, in some cases urinary obstruction
**Ultimate mediator of prostatic growth = DHT (dihydrotestosterone) - synthesised in prostate from circulating testosterone by action of enzyme 5a-reductase type 2
DHT binds to androgen receptors - regulate expression of genes that support growth + survival of prostatic epithelium & stromal cells
Why do people with BPH have urinary obstruction?
In BPH, the affected prostate is enlarged and contains many well-circumscribed nodules
Urethra is usually compressed by the hyperplastic nodules —> often to a narrow slit
*in some cases - hyperplastic glandular + stromal elements lying just under the epithelium of proximal prostatic urethra —> may project into bladder lumen as pedunculated mass —> ball-valve type of urethral obstruction
Which zone of prostate does BPH occur in?
Inner, TRANSITIONAL zone
Describe the hyperplastic glands in BPH. (Histo…cells…)Lined by?
Lined by tall, columnar epithelial cells + peripheral layer of flattened basal cells
*hyperplastic glands are large, with papillary unfolding
What is corpora amylacea?
“Starch-like bodies”
Small hyaline masses found in prostate gland. Looks kinda like sliced onions
What is the most common clinical feature of BPH?
Lower urinary tract obstruction - often in the form of difficulty in starting stream of urine (hesitancy) + intermittent interruption of urinary stream while voiding
Frequently accompanied by urinary urgency, frequency, nocturia
*Presence of residual urine in bladder due to chronic obstruction —> increases risk of UTI
In men with BPH, there is complete urinary obstruction. What would happen if appropriate treatment is absent?
Hydronephrosis (excess fluid in kidney due to back up of urine)
What are the possible initial treatments for BPH?
Finestride - inhibit DHT formation
Flomax - relax smooth muscle by blocking alpha adrenergic blockers
*Surgical treatments - reserved for severely symptomatic cases recalcitrant to med therapy