Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia


 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Bladder outlet obstruction

BOO; Lower urinary tract obstruction; Prostatism; Urinary retention - BOO

 

Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is a blockage at the base of the bladder. It reduces or stops the flow of urine into the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body.

Causes

 

This condition is common in aging men. It is often caused by enlarged prostate . Bladder stones and bladder cancer are also more commonly seen in men than women. As a man ages, his chance of getting these diseases increases greatly.

Other common causes of BOO include:

  • Pelvic tumors (cervix, prostate, uterus, rectum)
  • Narrowing of the tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder (urethra), due to scar tissue or certain birth defects

Less common causes include:

  • Cystocele (when the bladder falls into the vagina)
  • Foreign objects
  • Urethral spasms
  • Inguinal (groin) hernia

 

Symptoms

 

The symptoms of BOO may vary, but can include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Continuous feeling of a full bladder
  • Frequent urination
  • Pain during urination ( dysuria )
  • Problems starting urination (urinary hesitancy)
  • Slow, uneven urine flow, at times being unable to urinate
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Waking up at night to urinate ( nocturia )

 

Exams and Tests

 

Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You will undergo a physical exam.

One or more of the following problems may be found:

  • Abdominal growth
  • Cystocele (women)
  • Enlarged bladder
  • Enlarged prostate (men)

Tests may include:

  • Blood chemistries to look for signs of kidney damage
  • Cystoscopy and retrograde urethrogram (x-ray) to look for narrowing of the urethra
  • Tests to determine how fast urine flows out of the body ( uroflowmetry )
  • Tests to see how much the urine flow is blocked and how well the bladder contracts (urodynamic testing)
  • Ultrasound to locate the blockage of urine and find out how well the bladder empties
  • Urinalysis to look for blood or signs of infection in the urine
  • Urine culture to check for an infection

 

Treatment

 

Treatment of BOO depends on its cause. A tube, called a catheter, is inserted into the bladder. The insertion is done through the urethra to relieve the blockage.

Sometimes, a catheter placed through the belly area into the bladder is needed to drain the bladder.

Most often, you will need surgery for long-term cure of BOO. However, many of the diseases that cause this problem can be treated with medicines. Talk to your provider about possible treatments.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Most causes of BOO can be cured if diagnosed early. However, permanent damage to the bladder or kidneys can result if the diagnosis is delayed.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your provider if you have symptoms of BOO. Early diagnosis can often lead to a simple and effective cure.

 

 

References

Andersson K, Wein AJ. Pharmacologic management of lower urinary tract storage and emptying failure. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 79.

Boone TB, Stewart JN. Additional therapies for storage and emptying failure. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 87.

McNicholas TA, Speakman MJ, Kirby RS. Evaluation and nonsurgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 104.

Zeidel ML. Obstructive uropathy. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2016:chap 123.

 
  • Kidney anatomy - illustration

    The kidneys are responsible for removing wastes from the body, regulating electrolyte balance and blood pressure, and stimulating red blood cell production.

    Kidney anatomy

    illustration

  • Female urinary tract - illustration

    The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

    Female urinary tract

    illustration

  • Male urinary tract - illustration

    The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

    Male urinary tract

    illustration

  • Kidney - blood and urine flow - illustration

    This is the typical appearance of the blood vessels (vasculature) and urine flow pattern in the kidney. The blood vessels are shown in red and the urine flow pattern in yellow.

    Kidney - blood and urine flow

    illustration

    • Kidney anatomy - illustration

      The kidneys are responsible for removing wastes from the body, regulating electrolyte balance and blood pressure, and stimulating red blood cell production.

      Kidney anatomy

      illustration

    • Female urinary tract - illustration

      The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

      Female urinary tract

      illustration

    • Male urinary tract - illustration

      The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

      Male urinary tract

      illustration

    • Kidney - blood and urine flow - illustration

      This is the typical appearance of the blood vessels (vasculature) and urine flow pattern in the kidney. The blood vessels are shown in red and the urine flow pattern in yellow.

      Kidney - blood and urine flow

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

    Talking to your MD

     

      Self Care

       

        Tests for Bladder outlet obstruction

         

           

          Review Date: 5/23/2016

          Reviewed By: Jennifer Sobol, DO, urologist with the Michigan Institute of Urology, West Bloomfield, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

          The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

           
           
           

           

           

          A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



          Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.