Genitourinary Flashcards
(180 cards)
Define Nephrolithiais/Urolithiasis
Refers to the presence of crystalline stones (calculi) forming within the renal parenchyma or collecting duct, eventually moving to the urinary system (kidneys/ureter)
Give 5 main functions of the kidney (in normal health)
Fluid management
Red blood cell production (EPO production)
Acid Base Balance (Excretes H+ and reabsorbes HCO3-)
Waste excretion
Vitamin D metabolism (25-Hydroxyvitamin D to 1,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D)
Name 3 areas where ureteric stones tend to manifest?
Pelviureteric junction
Pelvic brim
Vesicoureteric junction
What can ureteric stones be comprised of? (2)
Calcium oxalate (most common)
Calcium phosphate (uncommon)
Give 4 risk factors for ureteric stone formation?
Male
Diet (excessive oxalate, urate, sodium and animal protein)
Chronic dehydration
Obesity
Give 1 complication of ureteric stone formation
Obstruction of urinary flow and infection
Obstruction can decrease eGFR and perfusion to the kidneys, leading to irreversible kidney damage.
Give 5 clinical features of a renal colic
Rapid/Abrupt onset (awoken from sleep)
Pain from loin to groin (comes and goes in waves)
Often cannot lie still (differentiates from peritonitis)
Worse on fluid loading
Nausea/Vomiting/Haematuria
What is used to diagnose ureteric/renal colic? (non-pregnant)
Non-contrast CT KUB (kidney, ureter and bladder) within 24 hours of admission
What is used to diagnose ureteric/renal colic? (pregnant)
Ultrasound
What additional tests may be important to consider for a patient with ?ureteric/renal colic? (4)
Urine dipstick - To exclude UTI
Creatinine and electrolytes - To assess renal function
FBC/CRP - To look for associated infection
Serum Calcium - To exclude cystinuria, uric acid stones and primary hyperparathyroidism
How is pain from ureteric/renal stones managed? (3)
1st line - IM Diclofenac
2nd line - IV Paracetamol
3rd line - Opioids
What medication is used to treat distal ureteric stones <10mm?
Tamsulosin (alpha blocker)
How do alpha blockers (like tamsulosin) treat renal stones?
Promote smooth muscle relaxation and dilation of the ureter, potentially easing stone passage
Describe the management of renal stones based on their size (4)
Watchful wait if <5mm and asymptomatic
5-10mm - shockwave lithotripsy
10-20mm - shockwave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy
> 20mm percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Describe the management of uretic stones? (2)
<10mm = Shockwave lithotripsy +/- alpha blockers
10-20mm ureteroscopy
Give 3 complications of shockwave lithotripsy
Shockwaves can cause solid organ injury
Fragmentation of larger stones can cause ureteric obstruction
Procedure may be uncomfortable and require analgesia afterwards
Give one indication for using ureteroscopy as opposed to lithotripsy to manage uretic stones
Pregnant female
Give 5 methods of preventing renal stones
High fluid intake
Add lemon juice to drinking water
Avoid carbonated drinks
Limit salt intake
Avoid thiazide diuretics
Define AKI. How is it characterised clinically?
Acute Kidney Injury
Describes an acute decline in kidney function (over hours/days), resulting in failure to maintain fluid, electrolyte and acid-base homeostasis.
Characterised by a rise in serum creatinine and/or a fall in urine output.
Give 3 divisions for causes of AKI
Pre-renal (most common)
Renal (intrinsic)
Post-renal (obstruction of urine outflow)
Give 5 risk factors for AKI
Sepsis
Major surgery
Cardiogenic shock (heart failure)
Hypovolemia
Drugs (ACEi, ARBs, NSAIDs, Iodinated contrast)
Give 4 drugs associated with causing AKI
ACEi (Ramipril)
ARBs (Candesartan)
NSAIDs (Ibuprofen)
Iodinated contrast
What electrolyte imbalances may be seen in AKI? (4)
Hyperkalaemia
Hyperphosphatemia
Hypermagnesemia
Hyponatraemia
Give 4 complications of AKI
Metabolic acidosis (altered consciousness, circulatory collapse, hyperventilation)
Volume overload (tachypnoea, tachycardia, cyanosis, lung crepitations)
Uraemia (high levels of urea in the blood)
CKD and end-stage renal disease