Urology Flashcards
What is the term which refers to urine refluxing from the bladder into the ureters?
Vesico-uteric reflux
What is the presentation of upper urinary tract infection?
Loin to groin or flank pain
Name some common causes for upper urinary tract obstruction
Kidney stones
Tumours
Ureter strictures
Retroperitoneal fibrosis
Bladder cancer
Utereocele
Name some common causes for lower urinary tract obstruction
BPH
Prostate cancer
Bladder cancer
Urethral strictures
Neurogenic bladder
What is a neurogenic bladder and what are its common causes?
Abnormal function of the nerves which innervate the bladder and urethra which results in under or over activity of the detrusor muscle and sphincters.
Causes include:
MS
Diabetes
Stroke
PD
Brain or spinal injury
Spina bifida
What is the management of obstructive uropathy?
Nephrostomy
Uretral or suprapubic catheter
What is hydronephrosis?
Swelling of the renal pelvis and calyces in the kidney
What are the LUTS which occur with BPH?
Hesitancy
Weak flow
Urgency
Frquency
Intermittency
Straining
Terminal dribbling
Incomplete emptying
Nocturia
Which scoring system can be used to assess the severity of LUTS in BPH?
The international prostate symptom score (IPSS)
What should be done on initial assessment of men with LUTS?
DRE
Abdo exam (for palpable bladder)
Urinary frequency volume chart
Urine dipstick
PSA
What are the medical management options for BPH?
Alpha-blockers (eg tamsulosin)
5-alpha reductase inhibitors (finasteride)
Alpha blockers are used to treat immediate symptoms as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors gradually reduce the size of the prostate
How do 5-alpha reductase inhibitors work and how long does it take to see an effect?
5-alpha reductase converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone which is a more potent androgen hormone. 5-alpha reductase blockers reduce the levels of dihydrotestosterone which reduces the size of the prostate. It takes up to 6 months of treatment for the effects to result in an improvement in symptoms.
What are the surgical management options for BPH?
TURP
Transuretheral electrovaporisation of the prostate
Holumium laser enucleation of the prostate
Open prostectomy
What is a notable side effect of alpha-blockers?
Postural hypotension
What is a notable side effect of finasteride?
Sexual dysfunction
What is the most common complication of TURP?
Retrograde ejactulation
What are the two types of prostatitis?
Acute bacterial
Chronic (sx >3 months)
What are the symptoms of chronic prostatitis?
> 3 months of:
Pelvic pain
LUTS
Sexual dysfunction
Pain with bowel movements
Tender and enlarged prostate
What are the symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis?
Fever
Myalgia
Nausea
Fatigue
Sepsis
Which investigations should be done in cases of chronic prostatitis?
urine dipstick
Urine MC&S
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea NAAT testing
What is the management of acute bacterial prostatitis?
Oral abx for 2-4 weeks (ciprofloxacin)
Analgesia
Laxatives
What is the management of chronic prostatitis?
Alpha blockers
Analagesia
antibiotics
Laxatives
What are the key risk factors for prostate cancer?
Increasing age
Family history
Black african or caribbean origin
Tall stature
Anabolic steroids
What are the common symptoms of prostate cancer?
Hesitancy
Weak flow
Terminal dribbling
Nocturia
Haematuria
ED
Weight loss, bone pain, cauda equina if advanced
What are the investigations which can be done for ?prostate Ca?
DRE
PSA
Multiparametric MRI
Biopsy
Which grading system is used in prostate cancer?
Gleason grading system
Which staging system is used in prostate cancer?
TNM
What is a key complication of external beam radiotherapy in prostate cancer?
Proctitis
What is brachytherapy?
Metal “seeds” are implanted into the prostate which delivers continuous and targeted radiotherapy to the prostate
What are the most common drugs in hormone therapy for prostate cancer?
Androgen receptor blockers (bicalutamide)
GnRH agonists (goserelin)
What are the common side effects of hormone therapy in prostate cancer?
Hot flushes
Sexual dysfunction
Gynaecomastia
Fatigue
Osteoporosis
What are the key complications of radical prostatectomy?
Erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence
What are the 4 common causes of epididymo-orchitis?
E.coli
Chlamydia
Gonorrhoea
Mumps
How does epididymo-orchitis present?
Gradual onset over minutes to hours
Unilateral
testicular pain, dragging or heavy sensation
Swelling of testicle
Tenderness on palpation