Urology Flashcards
What are LUTS?
Nocturnal Frequency Urgency Post-micturition dribbling Poor stream Hesitancy Overflow incontinence Haematuria Bladder stones UTI
What is the normal size of the prostate?
Size of a walnut
3.2cm diameter
What are the differential diagnoses for LUTS?
Cancer - bladder or prostate UTI Stones Detrusor weakness/instability Urethral stricture Neurological pathology
How do you manage BPH?
Conservative: fluid intake, urethral milking, bladder training, collecting devices/sheath
Medical
Surgical
What are the medical options for BPH?
Voiding LUTS: alpha blockers, 5-ARIs
Storage LUTS: anticholinergics +/- alpha blockers
Nocturnal polyuria: latter diuretics, oral desmopressin
How do alpha blockers work?
Relax smooth muscle within prostate and bladder neck
Rapid symptom relief
No effect on prostate volume and don’t reduce overall long-term risk or need for surgery
Give 2 examples of alpha blockers used to treat BPH
Tamsulosin
Doxazosin
How do 5-ARIs work?
Shrink the prostate by means of androgen deprivation
Improve symptoms and reduce prostate volume
Max effect may take a few months to achieve
Give an example of a 5-ARI
Finasteride
What are the surgical options for BPH?
TURP
Urolift
Prostatic embolisation
What are the causes of raised BPH?
BPH Prostate cancer UTI Retention Prostatitis Recent instrumentation/catheterisation
When should PSA testing be offered?
If symptomatic or positive family history
And the patient has been counselled
What is the normal range for PSA?
40-49: less than 2.5
50-59: less than 3
60-69: less than 4
Older than 70: less than 5
What is the main cause of urinary incontinence in men?
Prostatic enlargement
What are the different types of urinary incontinence in women?
Functional incontinence
Stress incontinence
Urge incontinence/overactive bladder syndrome
What is functional incontinence?
Caught short or too slow in finding the toilet eg immobility or unfamiliar surroundings
What is stress incontinence?
Leakage from an incompetent sphincter when intra-abdominal pressure rises eg coughing/laughing
What are the risk factors for stress incontinence?
Increasing age Obesity Pregnancy Following childbirth Post-menopause
What is urge incontinence?
Urge to urinate quickly followed by uncontrollable and sometimes complete emptying of the bladder as the detrusor muscle contracts
How is stress incontinence managed?
Pelvic floor exercises: 8 contractions 3 times a day for 3 months
Ring pessary for uterine prolapse
How do you manage urge incontinence?
Bladder training and weight loss
Aids eg absorbent pads
What are the urological causes of loin pain?
Ureteric or renal colic
Pyelonephritis or UTI
What are the non-urological causes of loin pain?
MSK
Gynae
General surgical
Vascular - dissecting iliac aneurysm
What are the key points in a history of loin pain?
Speed of onset Nature of pain: colicky/sharp/severity Radiation Unilateral or bilateral Associated symptoms: systemic/LUTS
What are the causes of ureteric colic?
Ureteric calculi
Clot colic
PUJ obstruction
What is the classic history of ureteric colic?
Sudden onset Severe colicky pain Unilateral Loin to groin Radiation to iliac fossa/genitalia
When would you particularly worried about a patient with ureteric colic?
Temperature / rigors
Hypotensive
Worried about sepsis
How do you investigate suspected ureteric colic?
Urinalysis
FBC, U&E, calcium, urate
CT KUB
USS
What would you see on urinalysis in ureteric colic?
Non-visible haematuria
How do you initially manage ureteric colic?
Analgesia
Anti-emetic
Fluids if dehydrated
When is intervention indicated for ureteric colic?
Larger more proximal stones Renal impairment Intractable pain Solitary kidney Infection Failed conservative management
What are the options for removal of a stone?
Ureteroscopy + lasertripsy
ESWL - extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy
JJ stent
Why is infection associated with a stone an emergency?
They may have pyonephrosis
Call for senior help if they are septic
What is pyonephrosis?
Abscess in renal pelvis
How do you manage pyonephrosis?
Resus: O2, IV fluids
ABx: gentamicin + co-amox/Tazocin
Culture blood/urine
ABG
When should a UTI be followed by urological investigation?
Any male with proven UTI
How is pyonephrosis managed surgically?
Drainage:
External percutaneous nephrostomy
Internal - ureteric stent (GA)
Discharge home with drain in situ and readmit electively to have the stone treated
What are stones made from?
Crystal aggregates
Mostly calcium oxalate
Where are stones most commonly deposited?
Pelviureteric junction (PUJ)
Pelvic brim
Vesicoureteric junction
How can you prevent stones forming?
Drink plenty
Normal dietary calcium
Calcium stones - thiazides
Urate stones - allopurinol
How does acute pyelonephritis present?
Chills, fever>38
Loin pain
May be more gradual onset, not typically colicky pain
Often systemically unwell
What is the most common organism in acute pyelonephritis?
E.coli
Proteus
Klebsiella
Enterobacter
What investigations should you do for suspected acute pyelonephritis?
Urine dip
FBC, U&E
MSU - MC&S +/- blood cultures
Renal USS to exclude pyonephrosis
How do you manage acute pyelonephritis?
Antibiotics
Analgesia
Antiemetic
DVT prophylaxis
Define urinary retention
Inability to pass urine, rather than inability to make urine
Not emptying the bladder, due to obstruction or reduced detrusor power
Give some causes of urinary retention
Prostatic enlargement Constipation UTI Excess fluid/delayed voiding Neurological eg cauda equina Urethral stricture/phimosis Surgery Drugs inc alcohol
How does acute urinary retention present?
Pain relieved by drainage
What are the symptoms that indicate problems with urine storage?
Frequency
Urgency
Nocturia
Urinary incontinence