Topics
Core clinical topics across the curriculum. Filter by category or search by title.
Hypercortisolism is a state of excess glucocorticoid activity. This section covers the HPA axis that regulates cortisol, the causes and classification of Cushing's syndrome, the diagnostic work-up, and management.
The anterior abdominal wall and groin define the access planes for inguinal, scrotal, and pelvic surgery. The continuity of their fascial layers explains both how infection and extravasated urine spread and where lymp…
Priapism is a persistent erection (>4 hours) unrelated to stimulation. The critical first step is distinguishing ischemic (low-flow, painful — a compartment-syndrome emergency) from non-ischemic (high-flow, traumatic,…
Based on the 2020 AUA Guidelines on microscopic hematuria.
Storage and voiding depend on a coordinated reflex network from the bladder wall up to the brain. Understanding the anatomy, the autonomic/somatic innervation, and the reflexes that switch between storage and voiding…
Antibiotic choice in urology is governed by a principle that does not apply elsewhere in medicine: antimicrobials are excreted in the urine at concentrations far higher than in serum. This makes urinary drug levels —…
This tab covers the male reproductive axis and the biology that underlies fertility: the hypothalamic–pituitary–testis axis, testosterone metabolism, spermatogenesis, the role of the epididymis, vas, and seminal vesic…
Renal cell carcinoma is the most lethal of the genitourinary cancers, though most tumours are now found incidentally as small, localised masses. Most cases are sporadic and linked to obesity, smoking, and hypertension…
Invasive squamous cell carcinoma accounts for >95% of penile malignancies, with an abrupt rise in incidence in the 6th decade of life.
The foundation of penile and urethral reconstruction is the distinction between a graft (transferred to a new bed, where it develops a new blood supply) and a flap (transferred with its blood supply). This tab covers…
Prostate cancer is the most common male malignancy in North America but follows an indolent course in most men — only ~16% of those diagnosed ultimately die of it, and the most common cause of death in men with prosta…
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is leakage with increased abdominal pressure (coughing, sneezing, exercise, lifting). The workup distinguishes it from urgency and mixed incontinence, confirms it objectively, and — w…
Renovascular hypertension is hypertension caused by renal ischemia from partial or complete renal-artery occlusion — the most common form of secondary, potentially curable hypertension. Although renal-artery disease a…
Urolithiasis forms when urine becomes supersaturated with stone-forming salts and the balance of promoters and inhibitors tips toward crystallisation. Stone type is driven by specific metabolic derangements, urine pH,…
Testicular tumours divide into germ cell tumours (GCTs) and non-GCTs:
Trauma is the leading cause of death in those aged 1–44, and urologic organs are involved in ~10% of abdominal trauma. Injuries are classed as blunt vs penetrating because management differs. The kidney is the most co…
Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) refers to urothelial tumours arising from the lining of the renal calyces, renal pelvis, or ureter. It is uncommon, so outcome data are limited. Panurothelial disease describes…
Obstruction damages the kidney through a predictable sequence of haemodynamic, tubular, and fibrotic changes. This tab covers the diagnosis of obstruction, the haemodynamic response to unilateral versus bilateral obst…
A varicocele is the most common correctable cause of male infertility. It is usually left-sided and asymptomatic, found incidentally or during an infertility work-up, and the central management question is whether the…