Urology Flashcards
How are lower urinary tract symptoms in men investigated?
Digital rectal examination
Abdominal examination (palpable bladder?)
Urinary frequency volume chart
Urine dipstick
PSA - depending on patient preference
What are causes of a raised PSA?
Prostrate cancer
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Prostatitis
Urinary tract infection
Vigorous exercise (notably cycling)
Recent ejaculation/prostate stimulation
How long after having prostatitis can PSA be checked?
Need to wait at least 1 month
What are management options for benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Medical options:
Alpha blockers (e.g. Tamsulosin) - rapid improvement in symptoms
5-alpha reductase inhibitors (e.g. Finasteride) - gradually reduces size of prostate
Surgical options
TURP
Open prostectomy
What are side effects of Tamsulosin (alpha blocker)?
Postural hypotension
Dry mouth
Dizziness
What are side effects of Finasteride?
Erectile dysfunction
Reduced libido
Ejaculation difficulty
What are lower urinary tract symptoms?
Urgency
Hesitancy
Weak flow
Straining
Dribbling
Incomplete emptying
How does chronic prostatitis present and what is seen on DRE?
Pelvic pain, LUTS, sexual dysfunction
Pain on bowel movement
DRE shows tender enlarged prostate
What is the most common cause of acute bacterial prostatitis?
E. coli
What are risk factors for acute bacterial prostatitis?
Recent UTI
Intermittent bladder catheterisation
Recent prostate biopsy
How does acute bacterial prostatitis present?
Fever
LUTS
How is acute bacterial prostatitis managed?
14 day course of Ciprofloxacin
Screen for STIs
What is the most common type of prostate cancer?
Adenocarcinoma
What are features of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is often asymptomatic
May be obstructive symptoms - hesitancy, retention, dribbling
May be haematuria
What investigations are used for prostate cancer?
First DRE/PSA
If findings suggestive of prostate cancer..
First line investigation for suspected prostate cancer = Multi-parametric MRI
Then prostate biopsy
Either transrectal or transperineal
What is the criteria for 2WW for prostate cancer?
Man 50-69 with raised PSA or DRE suggestive of prostate cancer
What is found on DRE in prostate cancer?
Asymmetrical, hard, Nodular prostate
However may be normal
How is prostate cancer managed?
Watchful waiting
External beam radiotherapy
Brachytherapy
Hormone therapy (if metastatic)
Surgery (if localised)
What are side effects of a prostatectomy?
Erectile dysfunction
Urinary incontinence
Where does a prostate cancer most commonly metastasise to? How can we look for these metastases?
Lymph nodes and bones
Bony mets can be found with an isotope bone scan
What are indications for conducting a PSA?
Abnormal DRE
Symptoms of malignancy + LUTS
If over 50 - can be done on request
If over 45 and family history/black ethnicity - can be done on request
What is TURP syndrome and how does it present?
Rare life threatening complication of transurethral prostate resection
Caused by irrigation with large volumes of glycine
Due to irrigation with glycine
Leads to fluid overload
Severe Hyponatraemia
Nausea
Headache
Can lead to respiratory distress
What is the most common scrotal swelling and how does it present?
Epididymal cyst
Separate and posterior to testes, possible to get above lump
Scrotal swelling: separate from testes, posterior to testicle, possible to get above the lump?
Epididymal cyst
Scrotal swelling: non-tender soft swelling which transilluminates?
Hydrocele
Congenital hydrocele usually resolves in a few months
In adults - urgent referral is needed
Scrotal swelling: feels like bag of worms, usually on the left?
Varicocele
Enlargement of the testicular veins
Associated with infertility and renal cell carcinoma
Which side is a varicocele usually on?
Left
What scrotal swelling is associated with renal cell carcinoma?
Varicocele
What cancer is associated with a Varicocele?
Renal cell carcinoma
Scrotal swelling: sudden severe onset testicular pain which is NOT eased on elevation? Absent cremasteric reflex
Diagnosis + management?
Testicular torsion
Urgent surgical exploration needed for detorsion and BILATERAL fixation
Nil by mouth prior to surgery
Provide analgesia
What are risk factors for testicular torsion?
Abnormal testicle lie
Bell-Clapper deformity
What does a loss of cremasteric reflex indicate?
Testicular torsion
Scrotal swelling: dysuria, urethral discharge, testicular pain eased on elevation?
Acute Epididymo-orchitis
Usually due to Chlamydia
Management is as for Chlamydia (Doxycycline)
In older men can be caused by E coli
What is priapism and what are causes? How is it investigated? How is it managed?
Persistent penile erection
Causes:idiopathic, sickle cell crisis, erectile dysfunction medication
Investigation: Cavernosal blood gas analysis
Management:
If ischaemic - aspiration
If non ischaemic - observe
What is the most common type of testicular cancer?
Germ cell tumour
What are risk factors for testicular cancer?
Infertility
Family history
Klinefelter’s
Undescended testes
What are features of testicular cancer?
Painless testicular lump - hard, irregular, not fluctuant, no trans illumination
May be a hydrocele
May be gynaecomastia (particularly in Leydig cell tumour)
What tumour markers may be raised in testicular cancer? Which type are they associated with?
If it’s a seminoma - HCG may be elevated
Non-seminoma - HCG / Alpha feto-protein
Which type of testicular cancer is associated with gynaecomastia?
Leydig cell tumour
What is the definitive diagnosis for testicular cancer?
Scrotal ultrasound
What are the most common places for testicular cancer to metastasise?
Lymph nodes
Lungs
Liver
Brain
Which type of testicular cancer has a better prognosis?
Seminoma