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Not on GU? Listen to this one anyway. There’s so much to unpack here.
One of the best episodes I’ve ever recorded. It doesn’t matter if your on GU or not. Give it a listen.
Erectile dysfunction
Clinical Presentation
- Usually a routine physical exam and direct questioning
Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings
- History is especially important here in order to rule out psychological causes
- U/S with doppler
- MRA
Treatment
- Exercise
- Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors
- Tadalafil (Cialis)
- Vardenafil (Levitra)
- Alprostadil
- Penile implants
Hypospadias/Epispadias
Hypospadias is a relatively common defect where the urethra ends on the underside of the penis. Surgical correction may be necessary, but is often a cosmetic issue.
Epispadias is a rare defect where the urethra ends on top of the penis.
Paraphimosis
- The foreskin is trapped behind the glans of the penis and can not be reduced
- Typically this is caused by a medical practitioner who fails to reduce the foreskin after examination or placement of a catheter.
Treatment
- If it can not be reduced the band of the foreskin must be cut
Phimosis
- The foreskin can not be retracted over the glans of the penis
- This may be normal into adolescents
Treatment
- Steroid cream
- Circumcision
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
- Advancing age is a risk factor. 90% of men older than 80 will have BPH
Clinical Presentation
- Getting up multiple times overnight to urinate (nocturia)
- Hesitancy
- Decreased urine flow
- Incomplete bladder emptying
- Frequency
Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings
- History is important to rule out other possible causes
- Smooth, firm enlarged prostate on rectal exam generally in the middle lobe
- Neurologic exam
- Urine culture will be negative
- Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA)
- U/S
Treatment
- Behavior modification
- Decrease fluids before bed
- Decrease alcohol and caffeine consumption
- Routine voiding schedule
- Medications
- Alpha blockers – relax smooth muscle. Side effects include hypotension
- Prazosin
- Terazosin
- Alpha blockers – relax smooth muscle. Side effects include hypotension
- 5 alpha reductase inhibitors – These block production of DHT which causes BPH
- Finasteride
- Dutasteride
- Surgery
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
- Prostatectomy
Testicular Torsion
- Highest incidence at puberty
Clinical Presentation
- Severe acute abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting are possible
Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings
- The affected testes are firm and tender and usually a little higher
- Cremasteric reflex
- Unilateral absence of is 99% sensitive
- Lightly stroke the superior medial thigh and the cremaster muscle should pull the testis up on the side that was stroked.
- Prehn’s sign (pain relief with elevation of the testis) is not entirely helpful as it is + in testicular torsion and epididymitis
- U/S with doppler
Treatment
- Manual detorsion of the testis – opening a book
- Surgical emergency
Spermatocele
- Benign cyst within the scrotum which contains spermatozoa
Clinical Presentation
- A routine physical exam
- Typically painless though may be palpable or uncomfortable if very large
Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings
- These will transilluminate if large enough
- May be palpable on physical exam
- U/S
Treatment
- Most commonly these are left alone
- Spermatocelectomy
Hydrocele
- A collection of serous fluid within the scrotum
Clinical Presentation
- A routine physical exam
- Typically painless though may be palpable or uncomfortable if very large
Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings
- These will transilluminate if large enough
- May be palpable on physical exam
- U/S
Treatment
- Surgical removal
Varicocele
- This is an enlargement of the venous structures within the scrotum
Clinical Presentation
- Aching in the scrotum
- Patient feels something within the scrotum
Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings
- A bag of worms on palpation
- Will not transilluminate
- U/S
Treatment
- Varicocele is not necessarily a problem in itself, but may cause decreased sperm count due to elevated temperature.
- Removal the venous plexus. Treatment results are questionable.