Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

the patient has stress incontinence (see

incontinence, urinary).

urographySee intravenous urography.

urologyA branch of medicine concerned

with the structure, functioning, and dis-

orders of the urinary tractin males and

females, and of the reproductive system

in males. Investigative techniques that

are used in urology include urography,

cystoscopy, ultrasound scanning, cysto-

metry, and urinalysis.

ursodeoxycholic acidA drug used to

dissolve gallstones. It is only suitable if

the stones are made exclusively of

cholesteroland if the gallbladder is

functioning normally. Side effects of the

drug are rare but can include diarrhoea,

indigestion, and a rash. Drug treatment

is less commonly used since the intro-

duction ofminimally invasive surgery.

urticariaA skin condition, also known

as nettle rash or hives, that is character-

ized by the development of itchy weals,

usually on the limbs and trunk. Large

weals may merge to form irregular,

raised patches.

Urticaria is generally harmless and usu-

ally lasts only a few hours. Sometimes a

persistent or recurrent form develops.

Dermographismis a less common form

Abnormal composition of the urine may

occur in diabetes mellitus, kidney failure,

and sometimes glomerulonephritisand

nephrotic syndrome, as well as in other

kidney disorders such as Fanconi’s syn-

dromeand renal tubular acidosis.

urine testsSee urinalysis.

urodynamicsA group of tests carried

out to investigate problems with bladder

control, such as incontinence. Urodyna-

mic studies involve the insertion of

probes into the urethra, bladder, and

rectumor vaginain order to monitor

pressure changes while the bladder is

being filled and emptied.

In X-raymonitoring, the patient stands

against an upright table while his or her

bladder is filled with a contrast medium

through a catheterand is then emptied

again. The shape and functioning of the

bladder, and the functioning of the ure-

thra, can then be viewed on an X-ray

monitor. At the same time, a continu-

ous recording of pressure changes within

the bladder is made on a paper trace.

As the bladder is being filled, the

patient is asked to cough. This action

increases the pressure in and around

the bladder, and if it causes leakage of

urine onto an electronic absorbent pad,

URODYNAMICS

URINE TESTS URTICARIA

U

X-ray table

X-ray machine

Catheter

to bladder

Rectum

Radiographer

Uterus Ureter

Probe

in bladder

SITE OF PROBES

Urethra

Lead from
bladder probe

Lead from
vaginal probe

Lead from

electronic pad Pressure trace

X-RAY MONITORING

Solution
containing
contrast
medium

X-ray

monitor

Probe in

vagina

Monitor

controls