Genitourinary Flashcards
(235 cards)
What is renal colic?
An acute and severe loin pain, usually caused when a urinary stone moves from the kidney into the ureter causing acute obstruction.
Define urolithiasis?
process of stone formation
How can stones be formed?
Stones form from crystals in supersaturated urine
Foreign body in the urine or stasis forms stones
What is hydroureter and hydronephrosis ?
When can this occur?
hydroureter (dilation of the ureter)
hydronephrosis (kidney swelling caused by urine failing to drain properly in the bladder)
During passage, a kidney stone may become lodged obstructing urine flow.
Name three things that kidney stones can be made from?
80% Calcium based (calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate)
10% caused by uric acid
10% caused by struvite - infection stones
Rarely - cystine stones
What is the main cause of kidney stone formation
Dehydration!
Idiopathic
Name 2 other reasons, beside dehydration, that can cause kidney stone formation?
Anatomical features
- Congenital e.g horseshoe kidney, spina bifida
- Acquired e.g obstruction, trauma, reflux
Urinary factors - the biochemistry
Metastable urine, promoters and inhibitors
Calcium, oxalate, urate and cystine
Majority are calcium based stones and can be caused by hypercalcaemia or hyperparathyroidism
Name the three most common areas that a kidney stone may become lodged
Ureteropelvic junction
Distal ureter (at the level of the iliac vessels)
Ureterovesical junction
Name 5 symptoms of renal colic
Majority are asymptomatic and found incidentally on a scane
- unilateral severe loin pain
- may have UTI symptoms (dysuria, strangury, urgency, frequency, recurrent UTIs)
- Haematuria
- unable to get comfortable
- nausea/vomiting
What is the pain like in renal colic patients?
“Loin to groin pain - radiates to the ipsilateral testis/labia”
Classically is a sudden onset of pain
Pain is colicky (intermittent)
Exacerbation: fluid loading
Name 4 signs of renal colic?
Ashen
Sweating heavily
Cannot sit still
Tender abdomen on the affected side as palpation increases
What investigations would you do in a patient with renal colic?
ABCs
Urinalysis of mid stream urine if possible
Macroscopic or microscopic haematuria is common
Pyuria +/- bacteria may be present
FBC, U&Es, Calcium, Uric acid
Non-contrast CT of kidney, ureter and bladder
Stones are bright white
99% sensitive and 90% specific
Ultrasound
Sensitive for hydronephrosis
But poor at visualising stones in the ureter
Useful in pregnant and younger recurrent stone-formers
Name 3 measures you can do to prevent and decrease the likelihood of developing stones?
Overhydration Low salt diet Normal dairy intake Healthy protein intake Reduce BMI Active lifestyle
What is the immediate management for a patient with renal colic?
Analgesia - NSAID or opiates (morphine / fentanyl)
Antiemetic (metoclopramide to treat nausea)
May need to admit
May need fluids but this can make the pain worse
Observe for sepsis
What are three treatment options for renal stones?
Conservative treatment
Lithotripsy
Nephrectomy (open or laparoscopic)
What are three treatment options for ureteric stones?
Conservative (allow 2 weeks to pass)
Medical expulsive therapy
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
Ureteroscopy
What are two treatment options for bladder stones?
Conservative if asymptomatic
Litholapaxy - crushing or disintegrating of stones in your bladder using a telescopic fragmentation device or a laser passed through your urethra
What is the definition of acute kidney injury?
Syndrome of decreased renal function. It is the abrupt loss of kidney function resulting in the retention of urea and other nitrogenous waste products and in the dysregulation of extracellular volume and electrolytes.
What are the KDIGO stages of AKI?
Stages l Urine output
Stage 1 < 0.5 ml/kg/hr for 6-12 hrs
Stage 2 < 0.5 ml/kg/hr for 12 or more hours
Stage 3 < 0.3 ml/kh/hr for 24 or more hours or…
Anuria for >12 hours
What is the underlying pathology of pre-renal AKI?
Decreased nitric oxide and prostaglandins Increased angiotensin II Increased adrenergic nerves Increased ADH Leads to a decreased GFR
What is the overall underlying pathology of intrinsic renal aki?
Damage to the tubules, glomerulus or the interstitium. Kidneys lose the ability to filter the blood properly and the cells are damaged in a way where reabsorption/secretion are impaired.
what is the pathology of nephrotoxic tubular disease?
Substances that damage the epithelial tubular cells and cells die generating higher pressures as necrosis in the tubules
Decreased pressure gradient so there is less fluid filtered
Decreased GFR
what is the pathology of glomerulonephritis?
Increased membrane permeability
Decreased pressure difference
Decreased GFR
What is the underlying pathology of post-renal aki?
Characterised by acute obstruction to urinary flow.
Increased intratubular pressure
Decreased GFR