Urology >> Urological Emergencies
Urological Emergencies arising outside hospital require urgent hospital assessment for diagnosis and necessary treatment. The following is a guide for some of the more common urological emergencies.
Bleeding in the urine after an injury
Bleeding in the urine after a back, flank or high-impact injury may indicate kidney trauma. Kidney trauma must be urgently investigated in hospital, owing to the risks of internal bleeding and infection. The amount of blood in the urine does not correlate with the degree and extent of an internal injury.
Inability to pass urine (urinary retention)
Inability to pass urine with a full bladder is a painful condition that necessitates drainage of the bladder with a catheter. It is usually, but not necessarily painful. Obstruction due to prostate enlargement can be relieved by laser prostatectomy. Failure to produce urine is a sign of other emergency conditions that are non-urological. The sensation of difficulty in passing urine and frequency may be associated with urinary infection.
Problems following Urological Surgery
In the event of problems following urological surgery, professional advice must be sought from your urologist, general practitioner or emergency department. Unless you have been otherwise advised or assessed, potentially serious complications may be missed.
Severe pain in the flank
Pain in the flank may indicate obstruction to a kidney, a stone (renal colic), kidney infection (pyelonephritis) or internal bleeding. Kidney pain may indicate a condition that may aggravate or cause infection as well as kidney damage. It may be important to rule out other emergency non-urological diagnoses, and it is always important to establish the correct diagnosis.
Testicular pain
Severe sudden onset testicular pain may indicate a twist that is obstructing the blood flow to the testis and needs urgent surgery for its correction. As a rule, surgery should be carried out within 6 hours to minimise the risk of permanent testicular damage or loss of the testis. Testicular pain may also indicate infection, which can also lead to permanent damage or loss of the testis. A testicular lump or swelling should be investigated urgently to rule out testis cancer.
