Chronic urinary retention

Question 1

What is chronic urinary retention?

Answer 1

Incomplete emptying of the bladder occurring over a prolonged period of time. As the bladder fails to completely empty it tends to grow larger and larger over time and may eventually failure to contract at all

Question 2

1) What is the commonest cause?
2) Name another cause

Answer 2

1) Benign prostatic hyperplasia
2) Prostate cancer, drugs i.e. antihistamines, anticholinergics or antispasmodics

Question 3

How does it present?

Answer 3

Lower urinary tract symptoms i.e. frequency, urgency, poor stream, nocturia, incontinence

Question 4

Name a complication

Answer 4

• Post-obstructive diuresis
• Chronic kidney disease
• Hydronephrosis
• Bladder diverticula