Lower urinary tract infection refers to infection at or below the level of the bladder. In clinical practice, “lower UTI” is often used synonymously with “cystitis,” a syndrome characterized by dysuria, frequency, urgency, and variable suprapubic tenderness. Because one cannot say with certainty that infection involves mainly or exclusively the urinary bladder, some authorities suggest that “cystitis” should be abandoned. “Lower UTI” also encompasses prostatitis, urethritis, and infection of the periurethral glands. Upper urinary tract infection refers to infection of the urinary tract above the level of the bladder; that is, the ureters, kidneys, and peri-renal tissues. This term is used mainly in reference to pyelonephritis. “Upper UTI” also encompasses intrarenal abscess (“renal carbuncle”) and perinephric abscess. Renal papillary necrosis refers to infarction of the papillae (sometimes with sloughing into the ureters), which can be caused by pyelonephritis or analgesic abuse and which often occurs in the setting of diabetes mellitus, sickle cell disease, or ureteral obstruction. bit.ly/18orqlt
Posted on: Tue, 03 Sep 2013 14:32:13 +0000
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