Renal Colic

 

Colic refers to the pain generated by smooth muscle spasm around a hollow structure.

Renal colic is caused by calculi in the ureter

 

Epidemiology

Prevalence of urinary stones, renal and vesical in the UK is 2%

Higher prevalence in the Middle East

Seems to have been higher in the UK in 18th and 19th centuries

Normally patient >30 years

 

Aetiology

In almost everyone the concentration of some constituents of urine exceeds their solubility

Therefore the presence of inhibitors of crystal formation seems to be important

Possible metabolic abnormality                              Chemical composition of urine

High calcium diet                                                      Immobility

Dehydration                                                               Obstruction -----  stasis ---  infection

Poor nutrition in children, eg. in Africa they are common

Stones often from in renal pelvis

 

Pathophysiology

Stones may be infective or metabolic

Infective are crumbly and composed mostly of phosphates, metabolic stones are mostly calcium oxalate.

In the UK 80% are mixed                                         Precipitation

Some contain magnesium ammonium phosphate and uric acid

Urolithiasis                                                                 Stones < 0.3 cm should pass down the ureter

Staghorn calculus

 

Clinical features

Unilateral                                                                    Renal pain - varies but may be may be exquisite

Renal colic

May be acute and severe and occur in waves which pass down the line of the ureter

May present as infection

Bleeding and infection may complicate calculi

Recurrence occurs in 50% of patients over a 10 year period

Complications include infection, hydronephrosis, impaction, (jamming), renal atrophy

 

Management

Prevent with a high fluid intake,

 -  keep dissolved substances in solution,  -  help to wash out solid material

Low calcium diet                                                       Treat pain - pethadine 100 mg im.

Antispasmodics                                                        Screen urine for the presence of stones

Lithotripsy, e.g. ultrasonic                                        Endoscopic removal

Surgical removal of larger stones, > 1cm               Diet depending on type of stone

Observe and sieve all urine

 

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

 

Hyperplasia               an increase in number of cells in a tissue or organ

Benign                        non-malignant character of a neoplasm

 

Aetiology

From the age of 40 the prostate gland changes in size and consistency

 

Pathophysiology

Hyperplasia results in periurethral adenomas      

Rest of the prostatic tissue is gradually compressed

Progressive obstruction of the prostatic urethra and interference with normal sphincter function

To overcome increased outflow resistance there is bladder detrusor hypertrophy and diverticulum of the bladder may develop

Diverticula may lead to stasis, infection, stone formation and malignancy

Progressive inability to empty the bladder leading to chronic retention -------- infection and stone formation

When 1 litre is residual hydroureter and hydronephrosis may develop

 

Clinical features

Frequency, urgency, dysuria                       

Nocturia

Hesitancy

Weak force of stream with straining

Dribbling incontinence                     

Acute retention may be precipitated by infection Obstructive uraemia             

Symmetrical smooth enlargement on PR

 

Management

Catheters

Prostatectomy                      

Sometimes drugs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carcinoma of the prostate

A common malignancy in the UK, most common cancer diagnosed in men

Epidemiology

Common in Europe and US especially in African origin men, rare in China and Japan          Mean age of presentation is 70 years, uncommon under 50

Common cubclinical carcinoma, 75% of men over the age of 80

 

Aetiology

Family history.  Possible hormonal role, Cadmiun, tyre and paint workers, farmers. Incidence increases with age. Less common in vegetarians.  Meat and fat eating.  Lack of lycopene from tomato products.  Low fruit intake. High dietary calcium. Cannabis

 

Pathophysiology

Carcinoma - malignant neoplasm derived from epithelial tissue                        TNM is used

Localised – within the prostatic capsule

Locally advanced – spread outside the prostatic capsule

Metastatic – spread away from local area, e.g. local pelvic lymph nodes then metastases to pelvis and lumbar spine

 

Clinical features

Prostatic features      Gland feels nodular and stony hard Features of metastatic disease

PSA (prostate specific antigen) testing.

 

Management

Prostatectomy                       Radiotherapy             Endocrine treatment eg. stilboestrol 1 mg tds

Orchidectomy                        Symptomatic

 

Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate may be acute or chronic

 

Acute

Febrile symptoms and perineal pain

May be other urinary features such as dysuria, bladder irritability, obstruction, abscess formation and haematuria

May be caused by an anatomical abnormality

Caused by bacterial infection

Responds to iv antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment may need to be continued for several weeks

 

Chronic

A long term condition difficult to eradicate.      

Characterised by bacterial culture from secretions but the chronic abacterial form is more common.

Infection may come from the urethra, often caused by E. coli or Chlamydia.

Abacterial form may be caused by undocumented Chlamydia infections.

Factors – inflammation, autoimmunity, hormonal imbalances, intra-prostatic urinary reflux, psychological disturbance.

Destruction of glandular epithelium

Aching in the perineum, suprapubic pain, low back pain, low grade fever, possible burning with ejaculation and urinary features, mild urgency and frequency, dysuria, recurrent UTIs. Suppression with antibiotics is often the only option

 

Carcinoma of the bladder

Aetiology

Smoking         Environmental carcinogens Analgesic abuse      

Uncommon below 50 and incidence increases with age

 

Pathophysiology

Transitional cell carcinoma arising from the pear shaped

epithelial transitional, stratified cells comprising the lining

of the bladder, i.e. from the urothelium

TNM is used in classification

 

Clinical features      80% have painless haematuria                   Blood well mixed with urine

Retention occurs uncommonly                     UTI                                          Possible hydronephrosis

 

Management

Cystoscopic resection or diathermy           Radiotherapy             Cytotoxics      Radical surgery