Urology - presentations Flashcards
Haematuria
Presence of blood in the urine, either visible/non-visible
Never a normal finding – has a range of urological/non-urological causes
Haematuria classification
Visible haematuria – blood is visible in the urine
Non-visible haematuria – blood is present in the urine on urinalysis
- Symptomatic non-visible haematuria: haematuria presents with associated symptoms eg. suprapubic pain/renal colic
- Asymptomatic non-visible haematuria: haematuria with no associated symptoms
Haematuria causes
Most common causes – UTI, renal cancer, bladder cancer, renal calculi, prostate cancer & BPH
Less common causes – trauma, radiation cystitis or parasitic infection
Haematuria clinical features
Presence of clots or not
Timing in the stream – total = bladder/upper tract source, terminal = potential severe bladder irritation
Clarify any associated symptoms, such as LUTS, fevers/rigors, suprapubic pain, flank pain, weight loss, recent trauma
Assess drug history & smoking status, any exposure to industrial carcinogens/recent foreign travel
Haematuria investigations
Initial – urinalysis, baseline bloods, PSA
Specialist investigations – flexible cystoscopy is the gold standard investigation for assessing the lower urinary tract
- Ultrasound imaging & CT urogram
Urological referral criteria for haematuria
Aged > 45 yrs with either:
- Unexplained visible haematuria without UTI
- Visible haematuria that persists/recurs after successful treatment of UTI
Aged 60 yrs with have unexplained non-visible haematuria & either dysuria/raised WCC on a blood test
Haematuria management
Treatment of the underlying pathology
Patients with significant haematuria – inpatient admission under urology: insertion of a three-way catheter for ongoing washout & irrigation +/- evacuation of clots
Scrotal lump
Abnormal mass or swelling within the scrotum
Originate from either testicular/extra-testicular sources
Scrotal lump investigations
Ultrasound scan of the scrotum is the first line investigation
Additional blood tests/further imaging may be warranted
Extra-testicular lumps
Hydrocoele
Varicocoele
Epididymal cysts
Epididymitis
Inguinal hernia
Hydrocoele
Abnormal collection of peritoneal fluid between the parietal and visceral layers of the tunica vaginalis enveloping the testis
Present as a painless fluctuant swelling that will transilluminate, either unilateral/bilateral
Presenting with a hydrocoele aged between 20-40 years should undergo urgent ultrasound scan
Varicocoele
Abnormal dilatation of the pampiniform venous plexus within the spermatic cord
Present as a lump, often described as feeling like a ‘bag of worms’ & may disappear on lying flat
90% of varicocoeles are found on the left side as the spermatic vein drains directly into the left renal vein
Surgical management – embolisation by an interventional radiologist & surgical approaches either open/laparoscopic approach for ligation of the spermatic veins
Epididymal cysts
Benign fluid-filled sacs arising from the epididymis
Present as a smooth fluctuant nodule, found above & separate from the testis that will transilluminate
Common – classically seen in middle-aged men, generally do not need treatment
Epididymitis
Inflammation of the epididymis
Presents with unilateral acute onset scrotal pain
May be associated swelling, tender epididymis & pain may be relieved on elevation of the testis
Most commonly bacterial in origin, most cases treated with oral abx & analgesia
Inguinal hernia
Can pass into the scrotum via the external inguinal ring
Can’t get above a hernia within the scrotum
Cough may exacerbate the swelling & may disappear upon lying flat
Should be assessed for strangulation or obstruction
Testicular lumps
Testicular tumours
Testicular torsion
Benign testicular lesions – Leydig cell tumours, Sertoli cell tumours, lipomas or fibromas
Orchitis
Testicular tumours
Painless lumps arising from the testis
Most common malignancy in men aged 20-40 yrs & need urgent USS for diagnosis, alongside tumour markers
Radical inguinal orchidectomy may be required
Testicular torsion
Twisting of the testis on the spermatic cord, leading to ischaemia
Sudden-onset very severe unilateral scrotal pain, often with associated N&V
Predominately affects pubescent boys & may be associated with a ‘Bell-clapper’ deformity
Affected testis is usually extremely tender, raised & swollen, with a loss of cremasteric reflex
Testicular torsion = surgical emergency & must be acted on immediately, with scrotal exploration & fixation of both testes, to prevent irreversible testicular damage