ABU URPS key terms

The serum prostate-specific antigen level divided by the measured prostate volume. Higher values suggest that an elevated PSA is more likely due to cancer than to benign enlargement, and it is used to decide whether biopsy is warranted.

A standardized scoring system for multiparametric prostate MRI that rates the likelihood that a lesion is clinically significant cancer on a scale from 1 to 5. It guides whether and where to target a biopsy.

A microscopic scoring of prostate cancer architecture that assigns primary and secondary patterns from 1 to 5 and sums them, now often reported as a Grade Group. It predicts aggressiveness and guides treatment.

An international system that describes cancer extent by primary tumor size and invasion (T), regional lymph node involvement (N), and distant metastases (M). Stage determines prognosis and treatment options across urologic cancers.

A nuclear grading system for renal cell carcinoma based on nuclear size, shape, and nucleolar prominence, scored from 1 to 4. Higher grades indicate more aggressive tumors and worse prognosis.

Instillation of live attenuated bacillus Calmette-Guerin into the bladder to trigger an immune response against non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma. It reduces recurrence and progression and is standard for high-risk superficial disease.

Surgical removal of the urinary bladder, usually with construction of a urinary diversion. It is performed for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, BCG-unresponsive disease, and selected benign destructive conditions.

A urinary diversion in which a segment of ileum is used to carry urine from the ureters to a stoma on the abdominal wall, drained by an external bag. It is the most common diversion after cystectomy.

An orthotopic urinary reservoir constructed from detubularized bowel and anastomosed to the urethra after cystectomy, allowing voiding through the native urethra. It requires adequate renal, hepatic, and continence function.

Removal of a kidney tumor while preserving the rest of the affected kidney, ideally with hilar clamping and reconstruction. It is preferred for small renal masses when technically feasible to preserve renal function.

Complete removal of a kidney, often with the ipsilateral adrenal gland and regional lymph nodes, for a large or centrally located renal tumor. It may be done open, laparoscopic, or robotically.

Endoscopic passage of a thin scope through the urethra and bladder into the ureter and kidney to visualize and treat stones or tumors. It permits stone fragmentation and extraction or biopsy.

Creation of a tract through the flank into the kidney to remove large or complex stones with a nephroscope. It is the preferred approach for stones over roughly 2 cm or staghorn calculi.

The breaking of urinary stones into smaller fragments, either by focused shock waves outside the body or by intracorporeal energy during endoscopy. Fragments then pass spontaneously or are extracted.

A large branching stone that fills the renal pelvis and calyces, often composed of struvite in the setting of chronic infection. It usually requires percutaneous removal and complete stone clearance.

Organisms such as Proteus that split urea into ammonia, raising urine pH and promoting struvite and carbonate apatite stone formation. They drive infection-related staghorn calculi.

A metabolic urine collection used to measure volume, pH, calcium, oxalate, citrate, uric acid, and other stone risk factors. Results guide dietary and medical prevention of recurrent stones.

Excretion of excessive calcium in the urine, a common reversible risk factor for calcium stones. It is managed with hydration, reduced sodium and animal protein, and sometimes thiazide diuretics.

A set of pressure and flow measurements, including cystometry and pressure-flow study, that assesses bladder storage and emptying function. It helps distinguish detrusor overactivity, obstruction, and underactivity.

Involuntary bladder muscle contractions during filling, seen on cystometry, that cause urgency and frequency with or without leakage. It is a urodynamic finding rather than a diagnosis itself.

Increased resistance to urine flow at the bladder neck or urethra, commonly from prostate enlargement or stricture. Urodynamics show high voiding pressure with low flow.

A clinical syndrome of urinary urgency, usually with frequency and nocturia, with or without urgency incontinence, in the absence of infection or other obvious pathology. Treatment begins with behavioral therapy and medication.

Electrical stimulation of sacral nerve roots with an implanted device to modulate bladder and bowel control. It is used for refractory overactive bladder, non-obstructive retention, and fecal incontinence.

A synthetic mesh tape placed under the midurethra to support it and prevent stress incontinence during increases in abdominal pressure. It is a common minimally invasive surgical treatment for stress incontinence.

The intravesical pressure at which urine leaks during a graded Valsalva maneuver in a patient with stress incontinence. Low values suggest intrinsic sphincter deficiency and poorer surgical outcomes.

The volume of urine left in the bladder after voiding, measured by bladder scan or catheterization. A high residual suggests incomplete emptying from obstruction or a weak detrusor.

Regular self-catheterization using a clean technique to empty the bladder when spontaneous voiding is incomplete or impossible. It protects the upper tracts and is standard for neurogenic bladder management.

Bladder dysfunction caused by neurologic disease or injury, producing either overactivity or underactivity depending on the lesion level. Management aims to protect the kidneys and achieve continence.

Retrograde flow of urine from the bladder into the ureter, graded I to V by severity on imaging. It predisposes to pyelonephritis and renal scarring and may resolve spontaneously in children.

Fluoroscopic imaging of the bladder and urethra during filling and voiding with contrast. It detects vesicoureteral reflux, urethral obstruction, and bladder abnormalities.

A congenital obstructing membrane in the posterior urethra of boys that impedes urine flow and can damage the kidneys. It presents with poor stream, urinary infection, or prenatal hydronephrosis.

Surgical reattachment of the ureter to the bladder with a tunnel that prevents reflux. It is performed for high-grade vesicoureteral reflux or obstruction, often after failed conservative management.

Failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum. It increases risk of infertility and malignancy and is treated with orchidopexy, usually within the first year of life.

Surgical placement and fixation of an undescended testis into the scrotum. It preserves testicular function and allows surveillance, and is ideally performed before one year of age.

Twisting of the spermatic cord that cuts off blood supply to the testis, causing acute severe scrotal pain. It is a surgical emergency requiring urgent detorsion and fixation to save the testis.

A rapidly progressive necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum and genitalia, usually from a mixed bacterial infection. It requires urgent broad-spectrum antibiotics and aggressive surgical debridement.

Narrowing of the urethra from scarring, causing obstructed voiding, straining, and recurrent infection. Treatment options include dilation, internal urethrotomy, and urethroplasty.

Surgical reconstruction of a narrowed urethra, often with a buccal mucosal graft or flap, to restore a durable wide caliber. It offers the best long-term success for recurrent strictures.

Narrowing of the renal artery, usually from atherosclerosis or fibromuscular dysplasia, that can cause hypertension and declining kidney function. It is evaluated with Doppler ultrasound, CT angiography, or MR angiography.

A surgically created connection between an artery and vein, usually in the arm, that provides high-flow access for hemodialysis. It is the preferred long-term vascular access in dialysis patients.

Persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. Causes include vascular, neurologic, hormonal, and psychogenic factors, and it can signal cardiovascular disease.

A drug class that blocks phosphodiesterase type 5, increasing cyclic GMP and enhancing erection in response to sexual stimulation. Examples include sildenafil and tadalafil; nitrates are contraindicated.

A prolonged erection lasting more than four hours without sexual stimulation, which is a urologic emergency. Ischemic (low-flow) priapism requires aspiration and treatment to prevent permanent erectile damage.

Dilation of the pampiniform plexus veins of the spermatic cord, usually on the left, that can impair sperm production. It is a correctable cause of male infertility and may cause a dull scrotal ache.

Laboratory assessment of ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. It is the cornerstone of male infertility evaluation and is interpreted against standardized reference values.

Dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces from obstruction or reflux of urine, seen on ultrasound or CT. It can be asymptomatic or cause flank pain and progressive kidney damage.

A flexible tube placed in the ureter to maintain urine drainage past an obstruction or after surgery. It may cause flank discomfort, urgency, and hematuria and requires later removal.

A catheter placed through the skin into the kidney to drain urine when the ureter cannot be stented or accessed. It diverts urine and relieves obstruction or infection above the blockage.