Urology TA17-B11 Flashcards
What is Endourology?
Definition: A branch of urological surgery that involves closed procedures for visualizing or manipulating the urinary tract.
What is retrograde instrumentation in endourology?
Retrograde Instrumentation: Techniques that invade the urinary tract via the urethra.
What is percutaneous antegrade endourology?
Percutaneous Antegrade Endourology: Accessing the urinary tract via a percutaneous puncture under fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance.
What is Antegrade Pyelography used for?
Antegrade Pyelography: Used alongside a Whitaker test to assess pyelo-ureteral resistance.
When is Percutaneous Catheterization indicated?
Indications:
In cases where retrograde methods are not possible.
Examples: Sepsis secondary to ureteral obstruction or complete blockage by a stone.
What are nephrostomy catheters used for?
Nephrostomy Catheters:
Used to perfuse the renal collecting system with chemolytic agents to dissolve kidney stones.
Often used after open surgery, PNL, or ESWL.
Why should chemolysis use a double-catheter system?
Double-catheter System: Ensures simultaneous irrigation and drainage during chemolysis.
What is Nephroscopy?
Nephroscopy: The use of nephroscopes inserted percutaneously through a nephrostomy, usually for PNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy).
What is Percutaneous Aspiration Biopsy?
Percutaneous Aspiration Biopsy: A procedure involving percutaneous puncture and sampling of a cystic or solid lesion of the kidney, often combined with therapeutic drainage.
Guidance: Done with US or CT.
Major Complication: Bleeding; renal parenchymal biopsies have a 0.1% mortality rate from bleeding.
What is Retrograde Endourology?
Retrograde Endourology: Techniques performed via the urethra; an example is urethral catheterization, which is done “blindly.”
What is Urethroscopy?
Urethroscopy: Allows for the identification of urethral lesions and procedures such as biopsies or internal urethrotomies under direct vision.
What is Cystourethroscopy?
Cystourethroscopy: The best method for evaluating disorders of the urethra, prostate, and bladder.
Can be done with rigid or flexible instruments.
When is Ureteral Catheterization performed?
Ureteral Catheterization: Used when small lesions in the collecting system can’t be identified via standard imaging (e.g., CT, MRI) or when a person is allergic to contrast dye.
Can be inserted through cystoscopes or ureterorenoscopes.
Baskets (e.g., Dormia basket) or loop catheters (Zeiss loop) can be used to retrieve stones.
What are Ureterorenoscopes?
Ureterorenoscopes: Endoscopes used for retrograde insertion into the ureter, indicated for ureteral and renal lesions that can’t be classified with other less invasive methods.
When is a Suprapubic Cystostomy preferred over Transurethral Catheterization?
Indications for Suprapubic Cystostomy:
Severe urethral stricture.
Urethral trauma.
Drainage after urinary retention due to acute prostatitis (to avoid triggering another inflammatory process).
- What is the general definition of infertility?
Infertility: Inability to achieve pregnancy after one year of unprotected sex.
What is the gender distribution for infertility?
Even distribution between males and females, with females being slightly more likely.
How does age affect male fertility?
Testosterone levels decrease with age.
Estradiol and estrone levels increase.
Sperm density also decreases with age.
What is the most common cause of male infertility?
Idiopathic: In 75% of cases, the cause of male infertility is unknown.
What is Azoospermia?
Azoospermia: Absence of sperm in the ejaculate.
Could be due to production problems (primary testicular failure) or obstruction (ejaculatory duct obstruction).
What is Sertoli-cell only syndrome?
Sertoli-cell only syndrome: Germinal cell aplasia, causing azoospermia.
FSH levels are elevated, but the cause is unknown
What is Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism?
A hypothalamic or pituitary problem leading to absence of testicular stimulation.
What are common genetic problems related to male infertility?
Klinefelter’s syndrome.
Y chromosome micro-deletion syndrome: Deletion on the long arm of Y chromosome, crucial for fertility.
How can infections affect male fertility?
Infections can cause scarring in the epididymis or seminal vesicles.
Prostatitis can alter semen acidity and affect sperm survival.
Viral orchitis (after mumps) is the most common cause of testicular failure in adults.
How does steroid abuse affect fertility?
Steroid abuse → Suppression of LH release → Decreased intra-testicular testosterone → Oligospermia or azoospermia.
What is the impact of radiation or chemotherapy on male fertility?
Radiation and chemotherapy can temporarily or permanently stop spermatogenesis.
What is analyzed in a semen analysis?
Semen analysis looks at:
Volume of ejaculate.
Sperm concentration.
Sperm motility and morphology.
What are the normal values for semen analysis?
Ejaculate volume: 2-5mL.
pH: 7-8.
Sperm density: 20-60 million sperm cells/mL.
What additional examinations can be done for male infertility?
Hormone concentration tests.
WBC count in semen to check for infections.
What role do auto-antibodies play in male infertility?
Auto-antibodies against sperm may attack and reduce sperm function, contributing to infertility.
What imaging techniques are used to evaluate the spermatic system?
Scrotal and trans-rectal ultrasound (US) to evaluate spermatic system anatomy.
What is a vasogram used for in male infertility evaluation?
Vasogram is used to check the patency of the vas deferens and ejaculatory duct.
What medications can stimulate gonadal steroid hormone production in male infertility treatment?
hCG, Menotropins (hMG), GnRH, and FSH are used to stimulate production of gonadal steroid hormones.
What medications are used to modulate estrogen and testosterone in male infertility treatment?
Anti-estrogens (e.g., Clomiphene citrate, Tamoxifen) and androgens can help modulate testosterone levels.
How are corticosteroids used in male infertility treatment?
Corticosteroids are prescribed for patients with anti-sperm antibodies to suppress the immune response.
What is varicocele ligation?
A surgical procedure to ligate (tie off) a varicocele, which is a common cause of oligospermia (low sperm count).
What is vasectomy reversal?
Vasectomy reversal is a surgery to reconnect the vas deferens, allowing men who had a vasectomy to potentially father children again.
What is Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE)?
TESE is a procedure to extract sperm directly from the testicles for use in fertility treatments.
What is Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)?
ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg, allowing it to incubate and then implanting the resulting zygote into the uterus.
What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?
The inability to achieve or maintain an erection.
Most common in men over 40.
Most often related to vascular problems (endothelial dysfunction).
What are the main causes of ED?
Vascular (endothelial dysfunction)
Psychological
Neurogenic
Structural
Hormonal
Iatrogenic (medication-related)
What tests are used to diagnose vascular-related ED?
Color-coded duplex ultrasound (to analyze penile arterial blood flow)
Arteriography (specifically of the internal pudendal artery)
Cavernosography (using contrast to visualize corpora cavernosa)
Cavernosometry (pressure-flow evaluation of corpora cavernosa)
How do PDE-5 inhibitors work in ED treatment?
PDE-5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil) prevent cGMP breakdown, promoting smooth muscle relaxation in arteries.
They require sexual arousal to be effective as cGMP production depends on arousal.
What are the conservative treatments for ED?
PDE-5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil)
Intraurethral therapy (PGE-1 insertion for local absorption)
Intracavernosal injection therapy (PGE-1 injections for patients who can’t take oral therapy)
What are the surgical treatments for ED?
Penile prosthesis (silicone, either semi-rigid or inflatable)
Vascular surgery (rare, for young patients with pure vascular-related trauma)
What is Anejaculation/Aspermia?
Complete absence or failure of ejaculation.
Often due to neurological lesions (central or peripheral).
What medications or substances can cause ejaculatory disorders?
Anti-hypertensives
Anti-psychotics
Anti-depressants
Alcohol
What is retrograde ejaculation?
Semen passes backwards into the bladder during orgasm.
Leaves the body during urination.
Caused by dysfunction of the internal or external sphincter.
What is premature ejaculation?
Can be primary (lifelong) or acquired.
May be due to psychological factors.
PDE-5 inhibitors help erectile dysfunction patients with premature ejaculation.
What causes painful ejaculation?
Often due to infections like chronic prostatitis or urethritis.
What is hypogonadism?
Reduced or absent testosterone secretion.
May be caused by testicular dysfunction (primary) or hormonal pathway dysfunction (secondary).
How is hypogonadism treated?
Testosterone replacement therapy.
- What are the characteristics of calcium oxalate stones?
Seen in normal sediment.
Can crystallize at normal urinary pH.
Where are phosphate stones usually found and what causes them?
Found in alkaline urine.
Due to Gram-negative bacteria producing urease.
What is special about uric acid stones?
Found only in acidic urine.
What are cystine stones, and why are they rare?
Rare stones usually found in children.
Caused by an autosomal recessive gene defect affecting tubular reabsorption of cystine.
What symptoms are caused by kidney stones?
Usually asymptomatic.
May cause flank pain on the affected side.
What are the symptoms of ureteral stones?
Severe spasmotic pain on affected side.
Nausea and vomiting.
Radiating pain towards the gonadal region.
Possible fever due to urinary stasis and infection.
What are the symptoms of bladder stones?
Urgency to urinate.
Stranguria (inability to pass urine).
Hemato-pyuria (blood and pus in urine).
What are the symptoms of urethral stones?
Severe pain.
Difficulty passing urine.
What are the basic steps in diagnosing urinary stones?
History
Physical examination
Ultrasound (US)
Urinalysis
How can history and physical examination aid in diagnosing urinary stones?
History may reveal previous kidney stones.
Stones in the urethra can sometimes be felt manually.
What imaging methods are used to diagnose kidney stones?
Ultrasound (US) can detect most stones.
Plain X-ray or Intravenous Urography (IVU) can help localize the stone.
What is the role of Intravenous Urography (IVU) in diagnosing stones?
Normal urography takes 20 minutes.
Stones cause delayed contrast passage in the affected kidney.
What can urinalysis reveal in the diagnosis of urinary stones?
Can show microhematuria or macrohematuria.
How are uric acid stones diagnosed?
Only seen with Ultrasound (US), IVU, or CT.
Not visible on plain X-ray.
What is retrograde ureteropyelography, and when is it used?
Performed when other imaging methods fail.
Contrast material is injected via a catheter through a cystoscope into the ureter.
What is antegrade pyelography?
Done via a trans-renal drain.
Contrast is injected, and fluoroscopy is used for visualization
- What is the primary goal in treating renal colic?
Relieve pain
Moderate ureter spasms
What types of medications are used to manage renal colic?
Painkillers: Noraminophenazon
Spasmolytic agents: Papaverine
NSAIDs: Diclofenac (administered parenterally for quick action)
What are alpha-1 blockers, and how do they help in treating ureteral stones?
Examples: Tamsulosin, Unosolazin
Function: Help pass stones by relaxing smooth muscles in the ureter
How can uric acid stones be managed?
Increase fluid intake to make urine more alkaline
What is ESWL and when is it used?
ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy): Used to break up stones after urgent pain relief
What should be done if a patient with urinary stones has a fever?
Divert infected urine away from the collecting system
Use catheterization or, if there’s complete obstruction, perform percutaneous nephrostomy
What should be done if a patient with urinary stones has a fever?
Perform a urine culture
Prescribe specific antibiotics to treat the infection
After treating the infection, proceed with kidney stone removal
What is the likelihood of spontaneous passage of ureteral stones?
80% of ureteral stones pass spontaneously
Chance of spontaneous removal decreases as the stone remains in the ureter longer due to impaction into the ureteral mucosa
What are the surgical methods for removing ureteral stones?
Stone Removing Basket: Inserted through a ureteroscope
High Energy Holmium Laser: Vaporizes stones via a ureteroscope
Percutaneous Ureterolithotomy: For larger, impacted stones
Laparoscopic Lithotomy: Alternative for larger, impacted stones
What are the treatment options for renal stones?
1st Line Treatment:
Diclofenac (NSAID) and Algopyrin (painkiller/antipyretic)
Alpha-blockers
2nd Line Treatment:
ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy): Only for stones <2 cm
Contraindicated: In pregnancy, infection, or with anticoagulant therapy
3rd Line Treatment:
PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithostomy): Includes insertion of a trans-renal drain for 3 days post-removal
How are urinary bladder stones treated?
ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy)
Urethral Litholapaxy (LPX): For harder stones
Open Surgery: For larger, harder stones; involves an infraperitoneal skin incision (sectio alta) to manually remove stones
What is the treatment for urethral stones?
Push Stone Back into Bladder: Using a catheter if in proximal urethra
Endoscopic Stone Disintegration: For removal if pushing back is impossible
Is there a method to prevent stone formation?
No methods or medicines are capable of preventing stone formation
B1. What is another name for renal cell carcinoma (RCC)?
Clear Cell Carcinoma
Grawitz Tumor
What is the most common malignant tumor of the kidney?
Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
In which population is RCC most commonly seen?
In developed countries
Typically in individuals aged 60-70 years
Slightly more prevalent in men
What are the primary risk factors for RCC?
Smoking
Obesity
Polycystic Kidneys
Horseshoe Kidneys
What is von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, and how does it relate to RCC?
An autosomal dominant syndrome
Mutation in the VHL tumor suppressor gene
Pre-disposes individuals to RCC,
phaeochromocytomas, cerebellar
hemangioblastomas, and pancreatic cysts
About 50% of people with this syndrome develop RCC
What is the pathology of RCC?
Adenocarcinoma arising from tubular epithelium (parenchyma)
Usually solid, with cystic areas
Tendency to grow into the renal vein, then into the IVC and right atrium
What are the subtypes of RCC and their prevalence?
Clear Cell: 80-90%
Papillary: 10-15%
Chromophobe: 4-5%
Collecting Duct Carcinoma: 1%
What are common symptoms of RCC?
Hematuria
Flank/Abdominal Pain
Palpable Mass (in 30% of cases)
Only 10% present with all three signs
What are some less common features of RCC?
Varicoceles (renal vein obstruction)
Bilateral Lower Extremity Edema
To which areas does RCC most frequently spread?
Lungs
Bones
What are some paraneoplastic syndromes associated with RCC?
Cachexia
Hypertension
Fever
Neuromyopathy
Anemia
B2. What is the initial diagnostic method for patients with the classic triad of hematuria, palpable mass, and flank/abdominal pain?
Abdominal Ultrasound (US)
Can show a renal mass or complex cyst
Malignant cysts may have solid elements, irregular, or calcified walls
What imaging method provides better visualization and functional status of the kidney for RCC diagnosis?
3-Phase CT Scan with Contrast
Assesses tumor size and extra-renal spread
When are MRIs used in the diagnosis of RCC?
Venous Involvement
Kidney Failure
Allergy to Contrast Medium
What routine imaging should be performed as part of RCC diagnosis?
Chest X-Ray
What abnormal lab values might be seen in RCC patients?
Polycythemia
Anemia
What additional imaging techniques are used if clinical symptoms or abnormal lab values are present?
Bone Scans
Brain CT
Renal Arteriography
IVC Cavography
What is the standard treatment for localized RCC?
Radical Nephrectomy
Usually laparoscopic
May include thrombectomy if there’s a tumor thrombus
Involves removal of the kidney, adrenal gland, and peri-renal fat tissue
Extensive lymphadenectomy is not recommended for survival benefit but for staging
What approach is taken if RCC is <4 cm, present in both kidneys, or if the patient has a single working kidney?
Partial Nephrectomy
How does RCC respond to radiation and chemotherapy?
RCC is not radio-sensitive
Rarely responds to chemotherapy
What is the response rate and survival benefit of systemic immunotherapy for RCC with multiple metastases?
30% response rate
Slightly better survival if nephrectomy was already performed
What are the 5-year survival rates (5YSR) for RCC based on disease extent?
Organ-Confined Disease: 80%
Locally Advanced Disease: 60%
Lymph Node Involvement: 20%
Distant Metastases: 10%
B3. What is an angiomyolipoma?
A hamartoma (resembles a tumor but is not malignant)
Composed of cells normally found at the site but growing disorganized
Contains blood vessels (BVs), smooth muscle, and fat
In which patient population is angiomyolipoma most commonly seen?
Mostly in females
Also associated with Tuberous Sclerosis (TS)