Urological emergencies Flashcards
What is acute urinary retention a complication of?
BPH
What are the symptoms of acute urinary retention?
Inability to urinate with increasing pain
What are the different types of acute urinary retention?
Spontaneous
Precipitated
What can cause precipitated acute urinary retention?
Non-prostate related surgery
Catheterization or urethral instrumentation
Anaesthesia
Medication with sympathomimetic or anticholinergic effects
What is the treatment of acute urinary retention?
Catheter
If painful retention <1L residue and normal serum electrolytes then trial without catheter (TWOC) during same admission
What is post-obstructive acute urinary retention?
Often present in patients with chronic bladder outflow obstruction in association with uraemia, oedema, CCF, hypertension
How do you monitor post-obstructive diuresis?
Monitor fluid balance and beware if urine output >200 ml/hr
Usually resolves in 24 -48 hrs but in severe cases may require IV fluids and sodium replacement
What are the differentials of acute loin pain?
Ureteric colic secondary to calculus
Possibility of diagnosis outwith urinary tract, especially AAA
What is the pain mediated by in renal colic?
Prostaglandin release by ureter in response to obstruction
What is the treatment for ureteric colic?
PR diclofenac +/- opiate
How likely is a spontaneous passage of a ureteric stone?
<4mm 80%
4-6mm 59%
>6mm 21%
What are indications to treat a ureteric obstruction urgently?
Pain unrelieved
Pyrexia
Persistent nausea/ vomiting
High-grade obstruction
What is the emergency treatment for a ureteric stone?
Ureteric stent
Stone fragmentation if not infection
Percutaneous nephrostomy for infected hydronephrosis
What can cause frank haematuria?
Infection Stones Tumours BPH Polycystic kidneys Trauma Coagulation/ platelet deficiencies Clot retention
What investigation is required for frank haematuria?
CT urogram
Cystoscopy
What are the differentials of an acute scrotum?
Torsion of spermatic cord Torsion of appendix testis Epididymitis/ epididymo-orchitis Inguinal hernia Hydrocele Trauma/ insect bite Dermatological lesions Inflammatory vasculitis Tumour
What is the cause of torsion of a spermatic cord?
Most common at puberty
Occurs with trauma or athletic activity but usually spontaneous
Adolescent often woken from sleep
What are the symptoms of an acute torsion?
N+V Referral of pain to lower abdomen Testis high in scrotum Transverse lie Absence of cremasteric reflex Acute hydrocele and oedema may obliterate landmarks
How can an acute torsion be investigated?
Doppler USS but do NOT delay exploration with fixation of both testes
What can be seen of a torsion of the appendage?
Localised tenderness at upper pole with a blue dot sign
Testis should be moblie and cremasteric reflex present
How will epididymitis present?
Dysuria
Pyrexia
UTI
Urethritis
What are the signs of epididymitis?
Cremasteric reflex present
Suspect if pyuria
Doppler - swollen epididymis, increased blood dow
Send urine for culture + chlamydia PCR
What is the treatment for epididymitis?
Analgesia + scrotal support, bed rest
Ofloxacin 400g/day for 14 days if chlamydia
What is paraphimosis?
Painful swelling of the foreskin distal to the phimotic ring
Happens after the foreskin is retracted for catheterization or cystoscopy and staff member forgets to replace in its natural position
How is paraphimosis treated?
Iced glove
Multiple punctures in oedematous skin
Manual compression of gland with distal retraction on oedematous foreskin
Dosal slit
What is priapism?
Prolonged erection (>4hrs), often painful and not associated with sexual arousal
What is the aetiology of priapism?
Intracorporeal injection for ED Trauma Hematological dyscrasias Neurological conditions Idiopathic