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Bladder outlet obstruction

Alternative Names: BOO; Lower urinary tract obstruction; Prostatism Symptoms: The symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction may vary. The most common symptoms experienced include: Slow urinary flow Delayed onset of urination (urinary hesitancy) Inability to urinate (acute urinary retention) Urinary stream starts and stops (urinary intermittency) Urinary tract infection Abdominal pain Pain on urination (dysuria) Frequent urination Continuous feeling of a full bladder Signs and tests: Text Continues Below If bladder outlet obstruction is suspected, your health care provider will take a thorough history of your problems and perform a physical exam. On physical exam, your provider may find one or more of the following possible causes: Distended bladder Enlarged prostate (men) Cystocele (women) Abdominal mass In addition to a physical exam your provider may order a variety of tests which may include: Serum chemistries to reveal kidney damage Ultrasound to locate the blockage of urine is, and find out completely the bladder is emptied IVP to locate the blockage is Urinalysis to look for blood or infection Urine culture to show an infection Uroflow to determine how fast the urine flows out Urodynamic testing -- a more sophisticated way of determining how well the bladder contracts and how blocked the flow of urine is

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