Urological Emergencies Flashcards
Is Acute Urine Retention a Medical Emergency?
Yes
What is acute urine retention often a complication of?
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
What is the aetiology of acute urinary retention?
Poorly understood.
Prostate infection Prostatic infarction Bladder overdistension Excessive fluid intake Alcohol
How is acute urinary retention classed?
Spontaneous
Precipitated (triggered by an event)
List some events which lead to precipitated acute urinary retention?
Non-prostate related surgery, Catheterization, Urethral instrumentation, Alcohol, Anticholinergic medications Prostatic infarction
What is the classic sign of acute urinary retention?
Inability to pee, with increasing pain
How is acute urinary retention managed?
If painful retention with < 1 litre residue and normal serum electrolytes then trial without catheter (TWOC) during same admission.
Prescribing a uroselective alpha-blocker (Alfuzosin, Tamsulosin) before TWOC should improve chance of voiding success but evidence does not prove this
Otherwise, Catheterization
How does Post-obstructive diuresis present?
Often present in patients with chronic bladder outflow obstruction in association with uraemia, oedema, CCF, hypertension
How does post-obstructive diuresis occur?
Occurs due to solute diuresis (loss of urea, sodium and water) AND defect in concentrating ability of kidney
How is post-obstructive diuresis managed?
Monitor fluid balance and beware if urine output > 200ml/hr. Usually resolves in 24-48hr but in severe cases, may require IV fluid and sodium replacement
Is Haematuria self-limiting in acute urinary retention?
Yes, common but resolves within 24 hours
What are common differentials for acute loin pain?
Leaking AAA
Ureteric Colic secondary to calculus
How does ureteric colic secondary to calculus occur?
Mediated by prostaglandin release by the ureter in response to obstruction
Often relates to the site of stone at first presentation
How is ureteric colic secondary to calculus managed?
NSAID +/- Opiate
Tamsulosin alpha blocker can be given for small stones that are expected to pass but evidence is not strong
What are the chances of a calculus passing, according to their size?
<4mm: 80%
4-6mm: 59%
>6mm: 21%
When is intervention needed for ureteric colic secondary to calculus?
If stone hasn’t passed in 1 month then likely to require intervention as it is unlikely to pass
What are indications to treat urgently in renal calculus?
Pain unrelieved for 24-48 hours
Pyrexia, which can indicate infection
Persistent N&V
High-grade obstruction
Plan to remove stone even if small
Describe imaging used for renal calculi?
First line is KUB X-Ray
If patient is pregnant, has gynae disease or pyelonephritis, then USS
Second line is CT Stone Search or MRI
What is the management for ureteric colic secondary to renal calculi if NOT passed spontaneously?
Ureteric stent or stone fragmentation/removal if no infection
Percutaneous nephrostomy for infected Hydronephrosis i.e. a tube through the loin into kidney
List causes of Frank Haematuria
Infection Stones Tumours Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) Polycystic kidneys Trauma Coagulation/platelet deficiencies
For haematuria due to clot retention of urine, what is the management?
3-way irrigating haematuria catheter which you can aspirate hard and the catheter does not collapse.
Islet allows clots to pass
For haematuria due to clot retention of urine, what are the investigations?
CT Urogram and Cytoscopy
Describe the general presentation of testicular torsion
Common during puberty
Can occur with trauma or athletic activity but usually spontaneous. Adolescents often woken from sleep
Usually sudden onset of pain, sometimes previous episodes of self-limiting pain
May have nausea/vomiting or referral of pain to lower abdomen
What would you feel on examination with testicular torsion?
Testis, duh
Spasm of the cremaster muscles causing loss of the cremasteric reflex
Transverse lying of the affected testicle
Testis high in scrotum
Acute hydrocoele and oedema may obliterate landmarks, if it has been lying for hours
What are investigations for testicular torsion?
Doppler USS which can used to aid differentials when unsure of diagnosis.
Will show if there is blood supply to the teste or not
What is the management of testicular torsion?
Prompt exploration prior to USS
Irreversible ischaemic injury may begin as soon as 4hrs
2 or 3-point fixation with fine non-absorbable sutures
If testis necrotic then remove
MUST fix contralateral side to prevent bell clapper deformity
How does Torsion of Appendix present?
Symptoms variable – may be insidious in onset or identical to torsion of spermatic cord.
If seen early, may have localised tenderness at upper pole and “blue dot” sign
Testis should be mobile and cremasteric reflex present
Is Torsion of Appendix self-limiting?
Yes, if diagnosis confirmed then will resolve spontaneously without surgery
What is Epididymitis?
Inflammation of the epididymis tube, often caused by infection
How does Epididymitis present?
History of:
UTI,
Dysuria/Pyrexia, Urethritis, Catheterization/Instrumentation
General Unwellness
May be difficult to distinguish from Torsion
Rare in children
How does epididymitis present on examination?
Cremasteric reflex present
Suspect if pyuria
Doppler shows swollen epididymis and increased blood flow
What is the main investigation for epididymitis?
Urine for culture + Chlamydia PCR
Typically;
Young men = chlamydia
Old men = UTI