Urology Flashcards
Imaging studies
- Gold standard for nephron/ureterolithiasis
- Good for physiology and anatomy of upper and lower tract
- hydronephrosis and small renal tumors
- upper tract in patients who are allergic to contrast or azotemic
- azotemic or dye allergy
- CT w/o contrast = gold standard for nephron/ureterolithiasis
- Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) = archaic, for physiology and anatomy of upper and lower tract
- Ultrasound = for hydronephrosis and small renal tumors; may miss ureteral and bladder tumors
- Retrograde pyelogram = for upper tracts in patients who cannot get contrast due to allergy or azotemia (but invasive)
- MRI = non-invasive alternative in azotemic or dye allergic patient
Imaging Studies
- US
- Retrograde urethrogram
- Cystourethrogram
- US = suprapubic mass, pelvic mass (rhabdomyosarcoma)
- Retrograde urethrogram (RUG) = catheterize up to distal urethra, instill radiopaque contrast and observe movement under fluoroscopic exam (real time x-ray) to assesses urethral strictures or disruption in setting of trauma.
- Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) = catheterize bladder, instill radiopaque contrast and observe movement under fluoroscopic exam (real time x-ray) to assesses obstruction (posterior ureteral valves, hydrocele, external mass) and reflux
Male Genitalia Anatomy
(fascia)

Male Genitalia Anatomy
(lateral)
median raphe is the line that runs on the ventral side of the penis shaft (on bottom)

Female Genitalia Anatomy
Vulva = EXTERNAL genitals
Vagina = MUSCULAR TUBE between vulva and cervix

Neonate hydronephrosis - management steps
Neonate hydronephrosis (US) = catheterize to ↓ pressure => imaging
Obese poorly controlled type 2 diabetes female in ER w/urinary urgency, frequency, fever, chills, n/v. Last week pt treated w/ empiric outpatient abx for UTI. PE showed R CVA tenderness. Labs showed leukocytosis & hyperglycemia. CT abd./pelvis showed gas in R renal parenchyma w/o extrarenal extension. Whats most important RF for emphysematous pyelonephritis?
- Urethrolithiasis obstruction
- Urethral obstruction from renal papillary necrosis
- Obesity
- Multi drug resistant bacteria
- Diabetes Mellitus
Emphysematous pyelonephritis = Necrotizing infection w/gas production mc due to E.coli or K.pneumoniae.
- DM is major RF for emphysematous progression of UTI
- Tx for emphysematous pyelonephritis w/o extrarenal involvement = percutaneous nephrostomy & IV abx
47 yo male w/ hx of nephrolithiasis present to ED w/ acute left flank pain, n/v. Vitals stable, writhing in pain. PE shows L CVA tenderness. Labs show hematuria. CT reveal 12 mm obstructing calculus of left UVJ. Whats next step?
- Microscopic urinalysis to exclude red cell cast
- Consult urology
- Provide pain control, start NS IV hydration, and advise pt to strain urine
- Admit to medicine service for pain control
- Provide IV morphine for pain control
- Microscopic urinalysis to exclude red cell cast = not needed for this
- **Consult urology = sepsis, ARF, anuria, pain unresponsive to medications, n/v, stone ≥ 10mm
- Provide pain control, start NS IV hydration, and advise pt to strain urine = stones ≤ 5 mm will pass spontaneously
- Admit to medicine service for pain control = unlikely to pass ≥ 10mm
- Provide IV morphine for pain control = unlikely to pass ≥ 10mm
12 yo boy w/progressive testicular swelling. Shows varicoceles. Whats most common complication?
- Testicular torsion
- Epididymitis
- Infertility
- Malignancy
- Deep venous thrombosis
- Impaired drainage of L internal spermatic vein into L renal vein => venous pooling => testicular vein & pampiniform plexus dilation => testicular varicoceles => increase temperature & impaired BF => infertility
- IVC thromboses => DVT => may rarely cause varicocele
Functional incontinence
- psychological unwillingness or physical barriers that deter person from using bathroom. Eg. dementia (primary neurologic process that limits mental capacity to decide to use bathroom)
Stress Incontinence
loss of bladder function often precipitated by ↑ intraabdominal pressure (laughing/coughing/strenuous activity).
- Mc in females w/↑ age and after vaginal births
- variable volume
- Tx = pads, bulking agent injections, slings, artificial urinary sphincters (men)
Overflow incontinence
detrusor sphincter dysynergia +/- anatomical abnormalities that obstruct outflow. Eg. enlarged fibroid uterus or prostatic hypertrophy
- Tx = lifestyle, pelvic floor muscle training, bladder training, surgery or medication to remove obstruction
Urge incontinence
strong & often sudden need to void 2ndary to bladder spasms/contractions. May be seen in cystitis related to UTI, stones, or neoplasm.
- Tx = behavioral modifications (lifestyle, pfmt, bladder training) => medications => refer to urologist (Sacral neuromodulation, peripheral tibial nerve stimulation, intradetrusor botox)
BPH Meds
Goals = ↓ smooth muscle (bladder neck “internal sphincter”, prostate, BP) and ↓ prostate growth
- Stress = Epi/NE => adrenergic R => ↓ rest/digest
- Alpha blockers (zoro to the rescue) = Doxazosin, Terazosine, Tamsulosin (Flomax)
- Immediately relieve sxs
- SE = asthenia, somnolence, hypotension, dizziness, fatigue, abn. ejaculation, nasal congestion/rhinitis
- Alpha blockers (zoro to the rescue) = Doxazosin, Terazosine, Tamsulosin (Flomax)
- Prevent Testosterone => DHT => ↓ DHT => ↓ Prostate growth
- Type II 5alpha reductase inhibitor (urethral ride) = Finasteride (proscar), dostasteride
- ↓ acute urinary retention & Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP)
- SE = testicular pain, impotence, ↓ ejaculation/dysfunction, ↓ libido, gynecomastia, breast tenderness, hypersensitivity
- Type II 5alpha reductase inhibitor (urethral ride) = Finasteride (proscar), dostasteride
- Best = Finasteride + Doxazosin
- BPH + OAB = add Anticholinergic (Tolderodine)
BPH indications for surgery
- Acute/chronic retention
- Recurrent UTI/hematuria
- Bladder stone/renal insufficiency due to BPH
- Lg bladder diverticulum
BPH minimally invasive surgeries
- Laser
- Transurethral electrovaporization/microwave thermal/radiofreq
- ↑ intensity focused U/S
- Urethral stent
BPH invasive surgeries
- TURP (resection of prostate) = GOLD STANDARD
- TUIP (incision of prostate)
- Open Proctectomy
Ketoconazole
antiandrogen for metastatic prostate ca. Inhibits steroid synthesis => ↓ Steroid production by adrenal glands and gonads.
- Also tx fungal infections (not BPH)
Slidenafil
“slide easy” inhibits phosphodiesterase type 5 => increase cGMP => ↑ NO => vasodilation => ↑ BF to corpus cavernosum. Tx erectile dysfunction (Viagra)
- Also tx pulmonary HTN
- Contraindicated = pts using nitrates due to risk of hypotension
Flutamide
antiandrogen for metastatic prostate ca. Flutamide + GnRH analog (given continuously) to prevent further sxs from initial hormone surge due to initial effects of GnRH analog.
- Not tx BPH
Finasteride
“urethra ride” shrink prostate via 5a reductase inhibitor (can also tx male pattern baldness)
SE = ↓ libido & ejaculation volume
Leuprolide
GnRH analog for metastatic prostate ca (given continuously) inhibits further production of LH => ↓ Testosterone.
- Also tx infertility if given in pulsatile fashion acts as an agonists; can also be used for uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and precocious puberty. (NOT BPH)
Vesicourethral Reflux (VUR) definition
- Backflow of urine from bladder => kidneys => frequent nephritis, kidney scaring & damage
- Caused by
- Congenital (primary) = mc VUR, caused by ureter valve defect (inheritable). Presents shortly after birth
- Obstructive (2ndary) = bladder/urethra obstruction caused by survery, injury, abnormal voiding, past infection that puts pressure on bladder. Presents at any age, mc in children w/birth defects such as spina bifida
VUR sxs
- UTI sxs most common (1/3 children w/UTI have VUR)
- Fever +/- dysuria, frequency, incomplete void feeling
- Suspect UTI if child has high fever w/o obvious cause













