Urology Flashcards
Key differentials for scrotal swelling?
Inguinal hernia
Hydrocoele
Varicocoele
Acute epididymo-orchitis
Epididymal cyst
Testicular torsion
Testicular tumour
Key features of inguinal hernias?
If inguinoscrotal swelling; cannot ‘get above it’ on examination
Cough impulse may be present
May be reducible
Key features of testicular tumours?
Investigations?
Management?
Painless or acute scrotal pain due to internal haemorrhage
Often discrete testicular nodule (may have associated hydrocele)
May present with gynaecomastia
Symptoms of metastatic disease
USS scrotum and serum AFP and β HCG required
radical inguinal orchidectomy +/- adjuvant chemo
Key features of acute epididymo-orchitis?
Often hx of dysuria and urethral discharge
Tender swelling eased by elevating testis
Most cases due to Chlamydia
Infections with other gram negative organisms may be associated with underlying structural abnormality
Can also present as acute pain and swelling after urological intervention (pyrexia and +ve urine dipstick can differentiate from torsion)
Key features of epididymal cysts?
How can they be treated?
May contain clear or opalescent fluid (spermatoceles)
Lie above and posterior to testis
Separate from the body of the testicle
It is usually possible to ‘get above the lump’ on examination
Usually occur over 40 years of age
Tx: excision using a scrotal approach
Key features of hydrocoele?
Non painful, soft fluctuant swelling
Usually anterior to and below the testicle
Often possible to ‘get above it’ on examination
Usually contain clear fluid
Will often transilluminate
May be presenting feature of testicular cancer in young men
Key features of testicular torsion?
Severe, sudden onset testicular pain
Can be spontaneous or precipitated by minor trauma
Risk factors include abnormal testicular lie
Typically affects adolescents and young males
On examination testis is tender and pain not eased by elevation
Urgent surgery is indicated, the contra lateral testis should also be fixed
Key features of varicocoele?
Varicosities of the pampiniform plexus
Typically occur on left (because testicular vein drains into renal vein)
May be presenting feature of renal cell carcinoma
Affected testis may be smaller and bilateral varicoceles may affect fertility
How is testicular malignancy treated?
orchidectomy via an inguinal approach
allows high ligation of testicular vessels and avoids exposure of another lymphatic field to the tumour
How is testicular torsion managed?
prompt surgical exploration and testicular fixation
sutures or placement of the testis in a Dartos pouch
How can hydrocoele be managed?
in children where the underlying pathology is a patent processus vaginalis : inguinal approach is used so that the processus can be ligated
In adults: scrotal approach is preferred and the hydrocele sac excised or plicated
How do high pressure and low pressure urinary retention present differently?
High pressure retention:
impaired renal function and bilateral hydronephrosis
typically due to bladder outflow obstruction
Low pressure retention:
normal renal function and no hydronephrosis
After inserting a catheter for chronic urinary retention, decompression haematuria can result due to the rapid decrease in the pressure in the bladder. How should it be managed?
does not require further management if the patient is haemodynamically stable
A hydrocele describes the accumulation of fluid within the tunica vaginalis. What are the 2 different types?
communicating: caused by patency of the processus vaginalis allowing peritoneal fluid to drain down into the scrotum
common in newborn males (5-10%) and usually resolve within the first few months of life
non-communicating: caused by excessive fluid production within the tunica vaginalis
Transurethral prostatectomy is a common and popular treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia. What are the possible complications?
TURP
T urp syndrome *
U rethral stricture/UTI
R etrograde ejaculation
P erforation of the prostate
- TURP syndrome occurs when irrigation fluid enters the systemic circulation. The triad of features are:
1. Hyponatraemia: dilutional
2. Fluid overload
3. Glycine toxicity
Risk factors for TCC of the bladder?
Smoking
- most important risk factor in western countries
Exposure to aniline dyes
- printing and textile industry
- examples are 2-naphthylamine and benzidine
Rubber manufacture
Cyclophosphamide
Risk factors for SCC of the bladder?
Schistosomiasis
Smoking
Surgical causes of haematuria?
Common:
UTI
renal cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer
renal calculi
BPH
Less common:
trauma
radiation cystitis
parasitic infection (most commonly schistosomiasis)
Medical causes of haematuria?
glomerulonephritis ( IgA nephropathy or post-infectious)
thin basement membrane disease
HUS
multi-system diseases (e.g. Henoch-Schönlein Purpura or Goodpasteur’s disease)
What is pseudohaematuria? Causes?
red or brown urine that is not secondary to the presence of haemoglobin
Causes:
medication (such as rifampicin or methyldopa)
hyperbilirubinuria, myoglobinuria
certain foods ( beetroot or rhubarb)
Hx and examination for haematuria?
Hx:
- degree of haematuria (pink v dark red) and presence of clots
- timing in stream (total haematuria suggests as a bladder or upper tract source, whilst terminal haematuria suggests potential severe bladder irritation)
- associated symptoms :LUTS, fevers or rigors, suprapubic pain, flank pain, weight loss, or recent trauma
- smoking status and exposure to carcinogens
- recent travel
Examination:
Abdo exam and DRE
external genitalia if indicated
Investigations for haematuria?
Urinalysis
Baseline bloods - FBC, U&Es, and clotting
PSA if prostatic cause suspected (after counselling pt)
Albumin:creatinine ratio if suspected nephrotic cause
What is the Urological Referral Criteria for Haematuria?
urgent referral to an adult urological service for the following:
Aged ≥45yrs with either:
Unexplained visible haematuria without UTI
Visible haematuria that persists or recurs after successful treatment of urinary tract infection
Aged 60yrs with unexplained non‑visible haematuria and either dysuria or a raised WCC
What specialist investigations are available for haematuria?
Low urinary tract imaging:
Flexible cystoscopy is the gold standard investigation - often under local at one stop uro clinic
Upper urinary tract imaging:
USS of renal tracts (non-visible haematuria)
CT urogram (visible haematuria)
Urine cytology