Renal and Urology Flashcards
What is the definition of testicular torsion?
Twisting of the spermatic cord resulting in constriction of the vascular supply and ischaemia of testicular tissue
What are the two types of testicular torsion?
1) Intravaginal (Most common)
- Twisting within the tunica vaginalis
2) Extravaginal - Entire testes and tunica vaginalis twists
What are the risk factors of testicular torsion?
Age under 25 years
Bell clapper deformity - Responsible for 90% of cases
Intravaginal (Most common)
What is the bell clapper deformity in terms of testicular torsion?
Deformity allows testicles to rotate freely within the tunica vaginalis - above and above the epididymis - high attachment.
What is the presentation of testicular torsion?
Symptomatic
- Painful
- Swollen, hot, tender erythematous scrotum
- Unilateral
- High riding testicle
- Absent cremasteric reflex
What reflex is absent in testicular torsion?
Cremasteric reflex
Within what time period should testicular torsion be treated?
Within 6 hours on symptom onset
What is the cremasteric reflex?
Pinching the inner thigh - the testicle will lift up.
What is the definitive management of testicular torsion?
Emergency surgical exploration of the scrotum within the 6 hours.
What type of surgery is performed in testicular torsion?
Bilateral orchidopexy
What is the send line management for testicular torsion is surgery is not available within 6 hours?
Manual de-torsion
What sign would be revealed in a doppler USS in testicular torsion?
Whirlpool sign
What is epididymitis and orchitis?
Inflammation of the epididymis or testes
What is the most common cause of epididymitis?
Infective - Bacterial
<35 years - chlamydia trachomatis
> 35 years - Klebsiella, E.coli, enterococcus faecalis
What is the most common infective cause for epididymitis in patients <35 years?
Chlamydia trachomatis >Neisseria gonorrhoea
What is the most common infective cause for epididymitis in patients >35 years?
Klebsiella, E.coli
What are the risk factors for E.coli epididymitis?
Bladder outflow obstruction
UTI
What are the atypical organisms associated with epididymitis?
Candida
What is the largest risk factor for epidiymitis?
Unprotected sex - Main cause in younger patients Immunosuppressed Trauma Vasculitis Medication - amiodarone
What is the presentation of epididmyitis?
Painful, swollen, hot tender and erythematous scrotum.
- Unilateral
- Happens across all age groups
Less acute that testicular torsion (Presents over a few days)
Dysuria and urgency
Penile discharge associated with STI
Pyrexia
Present cremasteric reflex
What investigations are performed in epididymitis?
Urine dipstick -MSU for MC&S - identify pathogen.
Bloods
-FBC - high WCC
U&Es
What imaging is performed in suspected epididymitis?
Colour duplex ultrasound
What is the conservative management for epididymitis?
Bed rest and scrotal elevation
What is the medical management for epididymitis?
Analgesia (Paracetomol/ibuprofen).
ABx to target infection
What discriminatory symptoms are associated with epididymitis compared with testicular torsion?
- Dysuria
- Present cremasteric reflex
- Infection/pyrexia
- Penile discharge
- Occurs over a few days
What is varicocele?
Dilated veins of the pampiniform plexus forming a scrotal mass
Why does varicocele occur?
Increased hydrostatic pressure in the left renal vein
Incompetent venous valves
Varicocele is common on which side?
Left
How should you examine varicocele?
Patient must be standing for examination - reduce when lying down
What radiological examinations are performed in vaircocele?
Retroperitoneal USS/CTAP
-Identify any masses obstructing the venous return (When varicocele does not reduce)
What is the management for varicocele?
Reassurance + observation
-Semen analysis abnormal - surgical repair should be offered
What is the presentation of Varicocele?
‘Bag of worms’
Asymptomatic
What is the definition of hydrocoele?
Excessive collection of serous fluid within the tunica vaginalis
What is a communicating hydrocoele?
Processus vaginallis is left open - peritoneal fluid free to flow (Connects the abdomen with the tunia vaginalis, allows peritoneal fluid to flow freely)
What is a non-communicating hydrocoele?
Processus vaginalis is closed - more fluid is being produced than is absorbed
What are the risk factors for hydrocoele?
Male, very common in children in first year of life
Non-communicating
- Inflammation/injury to the scrotum - trauma, infection, testicular torsion
- Epididymo-orchitis
- Testicular cancer
Communcating
-Increased intraperitoneal fluid - acites
Management of hydrocoele?
Asymptomatic
- Scrotal swelling
- Possible to get above the swelling
- Enlarges following activity- coughing, straining
What characteristic examination is done in hydrocoele?
Transillumination
What investigations are performed in hydrocoele?
Urine dip
USS - Exclude tumour
blood test - Testicular tumour markers
What is the management for hydrocoele?
Observation
What are the two main types of testicular cancer?
Seminomas. - 50%
Non-seminomas - germ cell tumours and teratomas
What are the main risk factors for testicular cancer?
Cryptorchidism
Ectopic testes
Testicular atrophy
FHx
What is the presentation of testicular cancer?
Painless hard nodular - testicular mass - unilateral
Lymphadenopathy
Gynaecomastia backache
What tumour markers are associated with testicular cancer?
AFP
b-HCG
LDH
What is the diagnostic investigation for testicular cancer?
Testicular ultrasound
What imaging allows visualisation of the tumour, monitor Tx response?
CTAP
Which lymph nodes does testicular cancer travel through?
Para-aortic lymph nodes- affect mediastinal structures
What is the management for testicular cancer?
Surgical removal -orchiectomy
Chemotherapy