Medical Services and Centers

General Urology

All faculty of the Department of Urology provide general urologic care. This includes treatment in a variety of areas.

Preventative Care
All men above the age of 50 should undergo a yearly serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) measurement and a digital rectal examination to evaluate for the presence of prostate cancer. In addition, all patients seen in the urology clinic may submit a urine specimen to be evaluated for the presence of infection or blood.

Hematuria (Blood in Urine)
The presence of blood in the urine may indicate the presence of urinary tract stones, infections, tumors, or other conditions requiring treatment. The standard evaluation consists of x-rays of the kidneys (IVP, ultrasound or CT scan) followed by cystoscopy (looking into the bladder through the urethra with a scope).

Bladder Outlet Obstruction
This typically occurs in men as a result of benign prostate growth. Symptoms of this condition include frequent urination, presence of a sudden, strong urge to void which is difficult to control, rising during the night to urinate, a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, straining to urinate, and a weakened urinary stream. Usually, treatment with medications is sufficient to control the symptoms, but sometimes procedures are required to relieve the obstruction. Such procedures include the standard "TURP" (transurethral resection of the prostate) as well as newer techniques such as microwave treatment and laser treatment.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
The presence of recurrent bladder or kidney infections may indicate a functional or anatomic abnormality of the urinary tract. A careful history and physical examination followed by an examination of the urine, including a urinalysis and urine culture, are an essential part of the initial evaluation. Radiologic studies may be performed in certain patients to check for kidney stones, obstruction, and other anatomic abnormalities. Most cases of recurrent urinary tract infections may be successfully treated with antibiotics, but surgical procedures are occasionally needed to remove a source of infection.

Kidney Stones
Many kidney stones will pass out of the body without the need for a procedure. However, in cases of persistent pain or infection, it is necessary to relieve the urinary obstruction caused by the stone. Using the cystoscope, a temporary silicone stent may be placed inside the ureter to relieve the obstruction and pain. The stone can then be fragmented using shock waves from outside the body (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy - ESWL), or it can be removed using a small scope which is passed into the bladder and ureter (ureteroscopy). Following stone removal, tests of the blood and urine may be performed to identify why the stone formed and how to prevent more stones from occurring.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Many men experience the inability to have an erection that is adequate for intercourse. Sometimes, changing blood pressure medications or giving additional testosterone (male hormone) may cause the erections to return. Other treatments include oral medications (Viagra) and self-administration of medications such as MUSE or Caverject.