Urology Flashcards
What is renal colic?
a presenting complaint associated with kidney stones.
Renal colic- unilateral loin to groin pain
Colicky- fluctuating in severity as the stone settles
What is the most common renal stone composition?
Calcium- calcium oxalate
What are struvite stones associated with?
Infection
What are the symptoms of renal stones?
Restless movement
Haematuria
Nausea and vomiting
Reduced urine output
Symptoms of sepsis if there is an infection
What non imaging investigations would you do for a patient presenting with renal colic?
Urine dipstick- for any haemturia
Blood tests- show any infection and kidney function. Also calcium and urate can aid stone analysis
What is the gold standard imaging for kidney stones?
Non- contrast CT scan KUB
A 46 male patient comes in with intense pain in the left lower loin, he has not passed urine 8 hours, and has vomited 4 times, what are your differentials?
Ruptured AAA, appendicitis, kidney stone, AKI due to obstruction?
What is the most common type of bladder cancer?
Transitional cell carcinoma
What are the clinical features of bladder cancer?
Visible haematuria IS bladder cancer unless proven otherwise?
Other symptoms incl painless haematuria, UTIs and hydronephrosis, neuropathic pain on medial thigh
Systemic- weight loss, night sweats
What is stress incontinence?
Leaking of urine when intra-abdominal pressure is raised, putting pressure on bladder
What are triggers of stress incontinence?
coughing, laughing, sneezing
what are the RF for stress incontinence?
childbirth and hysterectomy, female, pregnant, chronic cough, smoker, weak pelvic floor
What are the complications associated with an undescended testes?
Increased chance of a testicular tumour being diagnosed late, as it is harder to feel a testicular lump when it is in the inguinal region
What are the RF for prostate cancer?
Non-modifiable:
African ethnicity
BRCA mutation
Fhx
Increasing age
Modifiable:
Obesity
Smoking
Diet
How does prostate cancer present?
Early stages- no signs and symptoms
Late- problems urinating, poor stream of urine, blood in semen, discomfort in the pelvic area, bone pain and ED
What is acute urinary retention?
Medical emergency characterised by the abrupt development of the inability to pass urine
What investigations would you do for acute urinary retention?
Bedside : DRE, Urinanlysis
Bladder scan, post void residue.
May also want to do USS kidney for any hydronephrosis.
Name a tumour marker you may ask for, for suspected testicular cancer
HCG, AFP, LDH (less specific)
Name a presenting feature of testicular cancer that is not found in the testis/scrotal area.
Gynaecomastia
Define a varicocele
Abnormal enlargement of the testicular veins. Usually asymptomatic
What is a distinguishing feature of an epididymal cyst, on examination of the testis?
Palpated as separate from the body of the testicle
Name a condition that can predispose a patient to epididymal cysts
von Hippel-Lindau syndrome - where you get multiple tumours and cysts around the body.
polycystic kidney disease
cystic fibrosis
What is the likely diagnosis of a scrotal swelling that you can not get above (i.e has no superior border), feels separate to the testicle but does not transilluminate?
Inguinal hernia - a scrotal swelling you can’t get above!!!
Define urinary incontinence
Involuntary leakage of urine
Name some general risk factors for urinary incontinence
Age, obesity, multiparty, vaginal birth, FHx, being female, PMH of stroke, DM, depression.
What is the PERFECT mnemonic used for pelvic floor examination?
P= Power, E = Endurance, R = Repetition, Fast contraction, ECT = Every Contraction Timed
How does stress incontinence present?
Urine leaks when increase intra abdo pressure e.g cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise, lift.
Woman. Older age. Smoker. Chronic cough may be present. Pregnant or childbirth. Pelvic or prostate surgery. Overweight/high BMI. Hysterectomy.
Describe the pathophysiology of stress incontinence
Intra abdominal pressure exceeds the urethral pressure. Also have weak pelvic floor muscles
What investigations may you do for suspected stress incontinence?
Ask pt to keep bladder diary.
Midstream urine dip.
Examine rectum (for prostate) and bladder.
Urodynamic assessment for detrusor muscle.
Outflow urodynamics. Cystoscopy.
How is stress incontinence managed if pt has visible haematuria or non-visible haematuria?
Urgent 2ww.
What lifestyle advice might you recommend to a pt with stress UI or urge UI?
Reduce caffeine intake, lose weight, advise on fluid intake, stop smoking.
What surgical options are available for stress UI?
Colpususpension, sling surgery, vaginal mesh surgery, urethral bulking agents, artificial urinary sphincter.
How does urge UI present?
High BMI pt, drinks caffeinated drinks. Has PMH of UTIs. Sudden intense urge to pee, followed by involuntary loss of wee. Nocturia. Pass urine during sex, when reaching orgasm.
What is the pathophysiology of urge UI?
Overactive bladder leads to uninhibited bladder contractions. This increases intravesical pressure, causing urine to leak.
How is urge UI managed (non-surgical)?
1)Need to exclude overflow UI. 2) Bladder training. 3) Prescribe antimuscarinic e.g. oxybutynin.
How can urge UI be managed surgically?
Botox injections. Sacral nerve stimulation. Posterior tibial nerve stimulation. Augmentation cystoplasty. Urinary diversion.
Define mixed UI
Stress and urge incontinence
How does overflow incontinence present?
Small trickles of wee. Feel bladder is never empty. Can not empty when try to go. PMh of BPH.
What is pathophysiology of overflow UI?
A complication of chronic urinary retention. Progressive stretching of bladder leads to damage of sacral reflex efferent fibres. Lose sensation of bladder. Bladder fills with urine and becomes distended. Intravesicular pressure builds, so get dribbling of urine out.
What specific investigation may you want to do for suspected overflow UI?
Bladder scans pre and post voiding.
What are surgical options for overflow UI?
Indwelling catheter, Clean intermittent catheter.
How does continuous incontinence present?
Constant dribbling/leaking, needing to wear a pad. Affect daily life.
Describe pathophysiology for continuous UI
Anatomical abnormality (e.g. ectopic ureter) or bladder fistula.
What are complications of using botox to manage urge UI?
May need catheter to drain bladder
Name a complication of a long term catheter?
UTIs!!!
Define renal colic
Unilateral loin to groin pain that is excruciating.
If a pt has “colicky” pain due to renal stones, what does this mean?
Pain fluctuates in severity as the stone moves and settles.
Where do renal stones most commonly get stuck?
Vesico-ureteric junction
Name the most common type of renal stone?
Calcium oxalate.
What are risk factors for getting calcium oxalate renal stones?
Hypercalcaemia, low urine output
Name three types of renal stones?
Calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid, struvite, cystine.
Where can renal stones be found in the urinary system?
Pelvi-ureteric junction, crossing the pelvic brim and vesicoureteric junction.
How do renal stones present?
Pt moving restlessly due to pain. Haematuria. N&V, reduced urine output, Sx of sepsis if infected.
Name 2 differentials for renal stones presentation
Ectopic pregnancy, pyelonephritis, ruptured AAA, biliary pathology, appendicitis.
Name a complication of renal stones
Obstruction —> lead to AKI. Infection can result with obstructive pyelonephritis.
What investigations would you do for suspected renal stones?
Urine dip - helps exclude infection, and may show haematuria. Blood tests - FBC, U+Es, calcium levels, eGFR. Abdo XR. CT
What is the gold standard for suspected renal stones?
Non-contrast CT scan KUB within 24hours.!!
What initial management may be part of your plan after confirming a pt with renal stones?
1) Pt is dehydrated - may need fluid resuscitation. 2) Analgesia - IM or rectal diclofenac (or IV para if NSAIDs not tolerated). 3)Anti-emetic if nauseas/vomiting. 4) Abx if infection or septic signs. 5) Tamsulosin may help pass stone. 6) If stone is in lower ureter or <5mm, may pass.
What surgical management would you think about for renal stones?
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy if smaller than 2mm.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
Ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy.
Stent insertion or nephrostomy.
What advice would you give a patient about recurrent renal stones?
They can happen! Need to: 1) increase oral intake - add fresh lemon, avoid carbonated drinks, reduce salt, maintain normal Ca2+ intake.
A patient has calcium oxalate stones. What would you tell them to avoid in their diet?
Oxalate rich foods - spinach, beetroot, nuts, rhubarb, black tea.