Differentials

Common

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

History

urinary hesitancy, straining to void, sensation of incomplete emptying, double voiding, weak stream, intermittency, urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia, history of BPH, family history of BPH, prior episode of retention

Exam

enlarged prostate on digital rectal examination, palpable bladder due to urinary retention

1st investigation
  • prostate-specific antigen (PSA):

    may be raised

    More
Other investigations
  • transrectal ultrasound of the prostate:

    increased prostate size, volume >40 g, increased size of median lobe of the prostate

    More
  • uroflowmetry with bladder ultrasonography:

    low peak flow rate, high post-void residual volume

    More

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

History

dysuria, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, small volume voiding, nocturia, suprapubic pain, prior history of UTI and treatment, history of pyelonephritis, history of antibiotic treatment failure

Exam

fever, suprapubic tenderness, bladder distention in urinary stasis, cystocele on pelvic examination

1st investigation
  • urinalysis:

    positive leukocyte esterase, positive nitrite, pyuria (>10 white blood cells [WBC] per high power field), bacteriuria

    More
Other investigations
  • urine culture and sensitivity:

    >10,000 colony forming unit/mL urine

    More

Acute pyelonephritis

History

flank pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, suprapubic pain, history of nephrolithiasis, UTI and diabetes, immunosuppression

Exam

costovertebral angle tenderness, suprapubic tenderness, fever, decreased bowel sounds

1st investigation
  • urinalysis:

    positive leukocyte esterase, positive nitrite, pyuria (>10 WBC/high power field), bacteriuria

    More
  • urine culture and sensitivity:

    >10,000 colony forming unit/mL voided urine

    More
Other investigations
  • renal ultrasound:

    renal enlargement, hypo-echoic parenchyma with loss of corticomedullary differentiation; may show hydronephrosis, stones, or perirenal fluid collection

  • contrast CT abdomen:

    heterogeneous uptake of contrast (lobar nephronia), oedematous renal parenchyma, perinephric stranding, intraparenchymal gas in emphysematous pyelonephritis

Bladder cancer

History

painless haematuria, dysuria, frequency, urgency, age over 35 years, history of pelvic irradiation, history of smoking, weight loss, exposure to environmental/chemical carcinogens

Exam

pelvic mass, costovertebral angle tenderness from obstruction; frequently no abnormalities detected

1st investigation
  • urinalysis:

    red blood cells

    More
  • urine cytology:

    atypical or malignant cells, signified by increased clustering, increased cellularity, or altered nuclear morphology

    More
  • CT urography or MR urography:

    bladder tumour; may show ureteral or renal collecting system mass or filling defect

    More
  • cystoscopy:

    bladder tumour

    More
Other investigations

    Prostate cancer

    History

    advanced age, family history, obstructive voiding symptoms, weight loss; prior history of treatment with surgery, radiation, or brachytherapy

    Exam

    abnormal digital rectal examination, prostate nodule or diffuse hardness of the gland

    1st investigation
    • prostate-specific antigen (PSA):

      raised (>4 micrograms/L [>4 nanograms/mL])

      More
    Other investigations
    • transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy:

      confirms adenocarcinoma

    • multiparametric MRI:

      Can help inform decision to biopsy and help identify target areas for biopsy.[49][50][56]

      More

    Kidney stone

    History

    abrupt onset of severe flank pain, pain radiating to the groin, haematuria, nausea, vomiting, previous history of calculi, family history of nephrolithiasis, history of gout, history of inflammatory bowel disease

    Exam

    costovertebral angle tenderness

    1st investigation
    • urinalysis:

      haematuria, pyuria, crystalluria, cysteine crystals, acidic or alkaline pH

    • non-contrast CT (NCCT) abdomen:

      urolithiasis, hydronephrosis

      More
    • stone analysis:

      stone composition

      More
    Other investigations
    • kidney, ureter, bladder (KUB) x-ray:

      radiodense stones

      More

    Instrumentation of the urinary tract

    History

    recent cystoscopy, ureteroscopy, prostate needle biopsy

    Exam

    presence of a urethral catheter, suprapubic catheter, ureteral stent with retrieval strings in urethra

    1st investigation
    • urinalysis:

      diagnosis is clinical, and tests are not routinely recommended

    Other investigations
    • kidney, ureter, bladder (KUB) x-ray:

      ureteral stent and drain visualisation

    Menstruation

    History

    current menses, history of cyclical haematuria

    Exam

    physical examination is normal

    1st investigation
    • urinalysis:

      diagnosis is clinical, and tests are not routinely recommended

    Other investigations

      Uncommon

      Renal trauma

      History

      blunt flank trauma, penetrating flank or abdominal wounds (gunshot or stab), fractured lower ribs

      Exam

      hypotension, tachycardia, flank tenderness, flank contusion, abdominal tenderness, abdominal distention

      1st investigation
      • intravenous contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis with immediate and delayed images:

        lacerations to the renal parenchyma, collecting system, and renal vessels; perinephric haematoma, active bleeding, and urinary extravasation

        More
      Other investigations
      • intraoperative intravenous pyelography ('one-shot IVP'):

        confirms contralateral renal function

        More

      Bladder trauma

      History

      blunt pelvic trauma, penetrating pelvic or abdominal wounds (gunshot or stab), pelvic fracture, inability to void

      Exam

      suprapubic tenderness, lower abdominal ecchymoses

      1st investigation
      • CT pelvis with bladder contrast (CT cystogram):

        extravasation of contrast revealing bladder injury

        More
      Other investigations
      • x-ray:

        possible fracture of the pelvic ring, lacerating fragments of bone causing injury to the bladder, or a disruption of the symphysis pubis

        More

      Urethral trauma

      History

      external genital trauma, straddle injury, bilateral pubic rami fracture and Malgaigne's fracture, perineal lacerations, inability to void, recent complicated colorectal or gynaecological procedure

      Exam

      blood at penile meatus, bloody urethral discharge, high riding prostate on digital rectal examination, sleeve of ecchymoses limited to the penile shaft, butterfly-ecchymosis of the perineum

      1st investigation
      • retrograde urethrogram:

        contrast extravasation from the urethra

        More
      Other investigations
      • x-ray:

        possible pelvic fracture or diastasis of the pubic symphysis

        More
      • contrast CT abdomen:

        contrast extravasation from the urethra

      • cystoscopy:

        urethral disruption

        More

      Sickle cell anaemia

      History

      African-American descent, prior episodes of sickle crises, family history of sickle cell disease, migrating, intermittent pain

      Exam

      hepatosplenomegaly, abdominal tenderness, testicular atrophy, oedema of extremities

      1st investigation
      • peripheral blood smear:

        sickle cells

      Other investigations
      • Hb electrophoresis (whole blood):

        haemoglobin S

        More

      Coagulopathy

      History

      easy bruising, propensity to bleed, recurrent epistaxis, family history of bleeding diatheses, history of cirrhosis

      Exam

      ecchymoses, prolonged bleeding

      1st investigation
      • prothrombin time, PTT, INR:

        may be normal or raised

      • FBC:

        thrombocytopenia

        More
      Other investigations
      • LFTs:

        hypoalbuminaemia

        More
      • von Willebrand factor antigen (whole blood):

        reduced in von Willebrand's disease

        More
      • ristocetin cofactor activity (whole blood):

        reduced in von Willebrand's disease

      • factor VIII, IX activity (whole blood):

        reduced in haemophilia, VIII reduced in von Willebrand's disease

      Cystic renal disease

      History

      often asymptomatic, flank pain, self-limiting haematuria, urinary tract infection, renal colic

      Exam

      costovertebral angle tenderness, palpable flank mass in polycystic kidneys, hypertension

      1st investigation
      • renal ultrasound:

        cystic lesions

        More
      Other investigations
      • serum creatinine:

        raised

        More
      • CT abdomen:

        well-defined, oval lesions

      Arteriovenous malformation

      History

      passage of long, vermiform clots, flank pain, previous history of renal biopsy or percutaneous renal procedure

      Exam

      hypertension, cardiomegaly, abdominal or flank bruit

      1st investigation
      • CT abdomen with contrast:

        mass lesion, filling defect, delayed nephrogram, renal vein compression

      Other investigations
      • renal angiography:

        simultaneous filling of the arterial and venous system, delayed nephrogram, demonstration of vascular defect

      Renal vein thrombosis

      History

      sudden flank pain, history of nephrotic syndrome

      Exam

      evidence of flank trauma, oedema

      1st investigation
      • Doppler ultrasonography:

        enlarged, oedematous, echogenic kidney with absent venous signal

        More
      Other investigations
      • CT abdomen:

        loss of corticomedullary differentiation, low-attenuation thrombus in the renal vein, renal enlargement with parenchymal opacification

        More

      Alport syndrome

      History

      recurrent, persistent non-visible haematuria with episodes of visible haematuria, hearing impairment, family history of haematuria, hearing loss, or renal disease

      Exam

      hypertension, oedema, sensorineuronal hearing loss, anterior lenticonus, corneal erosions[60]

      1st investigation
      • urinalysis:

        dysmorphic red cells, red cell casts, proteinuria, increase in urinary albumin excretion

        More
      • urea and creatinine:

        creatinine >2.0, urea >20

      • 24-hour urine collection for protein:

        >1 g/24 hours

      Other investigations
      • skin biopsy:

        positive immunohistochemistry

      • renal biopsy:

        diffuse thickening and splitting of the basement membrane, focal glomerulosclerosis and tubular atrophy; negative immunohistochemistry

      Extrapulmonary tuberculosis

      History

      irritative voiding symptoms, nocturia, weight loss, malaise, history of tuberculosis (TB) exposure, history of cystitis unresponsive to antibiotics, history of epididymitis, recurrent urinary tract infections with Escherichia coli, fever, night sweats

      Exam

      orchalgia with reactive hydrocele, nodular prostate on digital rectal examination

      1st investigation
      • urine dipstick:

        leukocyte esterase-positive; positive for red blood cells

      • acid-fast bacilli smear and culture of extrapulmonary biopsy specimen:

        positive

        More
      • chest x-ray:

        consolidation, pulmonary infiltrates, mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy, upper zone fibrosis

        More
      • sputum acid-fast bacilli smear and culture:

        presence of acid-fast bacilli (Ziehl-Neelsen stain) in specimen

        More
      • nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT):

        positive for M tuberculosis

        More
      Other investigations
      • CT urography:

        moth-eaten calyces with ulceration, calyceal obliteration, hydronephrosis, calcification, calculi, small bladder

      • lateral flow urine lipoarabinomannan (LF-LAM) assay:

        positive

        More

      Benign familial haematuria (thin basement membrane nephropathy)

      History

      recurrent, persistent visible and non-visible haematuria, family history of haematuria

      Exam

      oedema and hypertension

      1st investigation
      • urinalysis:

        dysmorphic red cells, red cell casts, proteinuria, increase in urinary albumin excretion

        More
      • urea and creatinine:

        creatinine >2.0, urea >20

      • 24-hour urine collection for protein:

        >1 g/24 hours

      Other investigations
      • renal biopsy:

        thinning of the glomerular basement membrane (150-225 nM)

        More

      Post-infectious glomerulonephritis

      History

      abrupt onset of oedema, weakness, malaise, visible haematuria, headache, 1-2 weeks post-pharyngitis, 2-4 weeks after streptococcal dermatitis, most common from age 2-10 years

      Exam

      periorbital and peripheral oedema, hypertension, skin rashes

      1st investigation
      • urinalysis:

        dysmorphic red cells, red cell casts, proteinuria, increase in urinary albumin excretion

        More
      • urea and creatinine:

        creatinine >2.0, urea >20

      • 24-hour urine collection for protein:

        >1 g/24 hours

      Other investigations
      • serum antistreptolysin O titre:

        raised

      Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis

      History

      abrupt onset of dependent or periorbital oedema, fatigue, recurrent visible haematuria, headache from hypertension, oliguria

      Exam

      periorbital and peripheral oedema, hypertension, conjunctival pallor, retinal drusen

      1st investigation
      • urinalysis:

        dysmorphic red cells, red cell casts, proteinuria, increase in urinary albumin excretion

        More
      • urea and creatinine:

        creatinine >2.0, urea >20

      • 24-hour urine collection for protein:

        >1 g/24 hours

      Other investigations
      • serum complement levels (C3, C4):

        low

        More
      • renal biopsy:

        hypercellular glomeruli, expanded mesangium, positive immunofluorescence, electron dense deposits

        More

      Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis

      History

      prodromal symptoms of malaise, fever, arthralgias, anorexia, and myalgias; abdominal pain, painful skin nodules or ulcerations

      Exam

      hypertension, painful cutaneous nodules, conjunctivitis, uveitis, oliguria

      1st investigation
      • urinalysis:

        dysmorphic red cells, red cell casts, proteinuria, increase in urinary albumin excretion

        More
      • urea and creatinine:

        creatinine >2.0, urea >20

      • 24-hour urine collection for protein:

        >1 g/24 hours

      Other investigations
      • renal biopsy:

        hypercellular, sclerotic glomeruli with crescentic inclusions

        More

      IgA nephropathy

      History

      recurrent macroscopic haematuria associated with upper respiratory tract infections

      Exam

      generally asymptomatic, occasional hypertension

      1st investigation
      • urinalysis:

        red blood cell casts, mild proteinuria

        More
      • urea and creatinine:

        creatinine >2.0, urea >20

      • 24-hour urine collection for protein:

        >1 g/24 hours

      Other investigations
      • renal biopsy:

        IgA deposition in the mesangium, proliferative crescents in severe cases

      Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

      History

      arthralgias, low-grade fever, fatigue, malaise, anorexia, nausea, weight loss, seizures, pleuritic pain, photosensitivity

      Exam

      malar, butterfly or discoid rash, oral or vaginal ulcers, retinal vasculitis, systolic murmur

      1st investigation
      • urinalysis:

        pyuria, red blood cells, granular casts, proteinuria

        More
      • urea and creatinine:

        creatinine >2.0, urea >20

      • 24-hour urine collection for protein:

        >1 g/24 hours

      Other investigations
      • renal biopsy:

        mild glomerulitis to widespread immunoglobulin deposition and proliferative crescent formation

      • lupus serologies (ANA, anti-dsDNA, antiphospholipid antibody):

        raised

      • serum complement (C3, C4):

        low

      • activated partial thromboplastin time:

        may be prolonged in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies

        More
      • chest x-ray:

        pleural effusion, infiltrates, cardiomegaly

        More
      • ECG:

        may exclude other causes of chest pain

        More

      Renal cancer

      History

      flank fullness, history of dialysis, history of smoking, family history of renal cell carcinoma, polycystic kidney disease, weight loss, exposure to environmental/chemical carcinogens; at least 50% detected incidentally on imaging[52]

      Exam

      hypertension, flank mass, adenopathy, new onset of left varicocele, lower extremity oedemas

      1st investigation
      • renal ultrasound:

        solid or cystic renal mass

        More
      • CT abdomen with and without intravenous contrast:

        contrast enhancing renal mass

        More
      Other investigations
      • MRI abdomen/pelvis:

        renal mass, regional lymphadenopathy, and/or visceral/bone metastases

        More
      • renal biopsy:

        histopathological confirmation of malignancy

        More

      Metastatic cancer

      History

      history of primary lung, breast, or gastrointestinal malignancy, weight loss

      Exam

      cachexia, anaemia, cough, right upper quadrant pain, neurological deficits, lymphadenopathy

      1st investigation
      • CT abdomen with and without intravenous contrast:

        contrast enhancing renal mass

        More
      Other investigations
      • MRI abdomen/pelvis:

        renal mass, regional lymphadenopathy, and/or visceral/bone metastases

        More

      Urethral cancer

      History

      more common in men, African-Americans,[73] and those aged over 50 years; frequency, hesitancy, obstructive urinary symptoms

      Exam

      palpable mass, hard stricture

      1st investigation
      • CT urography:

        filling defect, mass

      • voiding cystourethrogram:

        filling defect, mass

        More
      Other investigations
      • urethroscopy:

        visible urethral mass

      • MRI:

        will help determine the depth of invasion and the stage of disease

      Penile cancer

      History

      history of penile lesion, history of condyloma

      Exam

      erythematous patch, induration, palpable mass, inguinal lymphadenopathy

      1st investigation
      • skin biopsy:

        squamous cell carcinoma

      Other investigations
      • MRI/CT pelvis:

        will effectively stage the extent of disease

      Placenta percreta

      History

      painless vaginal bleeding in the first or second trimester, history of prior caesarean section, advanced age during pregnancy

      Exam

      haemodynamic instability, sudden abdominal pain, distention

      1st investigation
      • pelvic ultrasound with Doppler studies:

        placental erosion through uterine wall, loss of hypo-echoic boundary between the placenta, bladder wall, and surrounding organs; sonolucent spaces, representing placental lacunae, adjacent to myometrium and surrounding structures

      • MRI:

        placental erosion through uterine wall

      Other investigations

        Endometriosis

        History

        cyclic haematuria following menses, women of reproductive age, nulliparous women with short menstrual cycles, dysmenorrhoea, chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, pain responsive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and oral contraceptives

        Exam

        abdominal or suprapubic tenderness especially during palpation of the uterosacral ligaments and adnexa

        1st investigation
        • transvaginal pelvic ultrasound:

          pelvic mass, endometrial cysts

        Other investigations
        • CT urography:

          filling defect, mass

          More
        • cystoscopy:

          bladder endometrioid tissue

        • hysterosalpingography:

          endometrioid tissue

        Bladder stone

        History

        suprapubic pain, haematuria, bladder outlet obstructive symptoms, previous surgery

        Exam

        suprapubic tenderness

        1st investigation
        • urinalysis:

          haematuria, leukocyte esterase, nitrites

        • non-contrast CT abdomen:

          bladder stone

        Other investigations
        • kidney, ureter, bladder x-ray:

          radio-opaque bladder stone

          More

        Radiation cystitis

        History

        history of pelvic radiation, dysuria, urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia, haematuria, timing and dosage of prior radiation

        Exam

        suprapubic tenderness

        1st investigation
        • cystoscopy:

          inflamed bladder mucosa

        Other investigations

          Nephrotoxic/cytotoxic medications

          History

          history of analgesic use or abuse, aminoglycosides, cyclophosphamide, ciclosporin, chemotherapy, cabazitaxel,[74] penicillins, sulfonamides, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, recurrent haematuria, flank pain, dysuria

          Exam

          hypotension, oedema, suprapubic pain

          1st investigation
          • urinalysis:

            dysmorphic red cells, red cell casts, proteinuria, increase in urinary albumin excretion

            More
          • FBC:

            peripheral blood eosinophilia

            More
          • serum creatinine:

            raised

          Other investigations
          • cystoscopy:

            amyloid deposits, haemorrhagic inflammation

          Anticoagulation

          History

          history of atrial fibrillation, mechanical valve, stroke, bruising, bleeding gums

          Exam

          pelvic mass, costovertebral angle tenderness, bruising, bleeding gums

          1st investigation
          • coagulation studies:

            raised

            More
          Other investigations
          • CT urography:

            underlying cause of bleeding

            More
          • cystoscopy:

            underlying cause of bleeding

            More

          Exercise-induced haematuria

          History

          recent history of vigorous exercise

          Exam

          physical examination is usually normal

          1st investigation
          • urinalysis:

            red blood cells

          Other investigations

            Loin pain haematuria syndrome

            History

            young women, intermittent haematuria, intermittent flank pain ranging from mild to severe, oral contraceptive use

            Exam

            low-grade fever

            1st investigation
            • urinalysis:

              diagnosis is clinical, and tests are not routinely recommended

            Other investigations

              Medication

              History

              use of medications such as rifampicin, phenytoin, levodopa, methyldopa, and quinine

              Exam

              physical examination is normal

              1st investigation
              • urinalysis:

                diagnosis is clinical, and tests are not routinely recommended

              Other investigations

                Food-related

                History

                history of beetroot, blackberries, rhubarb in diet

                Exam

                physical examination is normal

                1st investigation
                • urinalysis:

                  diagnosis is clinical, and tests are not routinely recommended

                Other investigations

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