Differential Diagnosis for Haematuria post Hysterectomy
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Ureteral injury or ligature during hysterectomy: This is a common complication of hysterectomy, especially if the surgery was difficult or if the anatomy was distorted. The ureter's proximity to the uterine arteries and the cervix puts it at risk during the procedure.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Urinary tract infection (UTI): Post-operative UTIs can occur due to catheterization or other factors related to surgery, leading to haematuria.
- Bladder or urethral trauma during catheterization: Accidental trauma during catheter insertion or removal can cause bleeding.
- Kidney stones: Although not directly related to the hysterectomy, kidney stones could be coincidental and cause haematuria.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Ureterovaginal fistula: A potential complication of hysterectomy where a fistula forms between the ureter and vagina, leading to continuous urinary leakage and possible haematuria.
- Malignancy (e.g., bladder, ureteral, or renal cancer): Although less common, new-onset haematuria post-surgery warrants investigation to rule out malignancy, especially in older patients or those with risk factors.
- Vascular injury or pseudoaneurysm: Rare but potentially life-threatening, vascular complications from the surgery could lead to haematuria.
Rare Diagnoses
- Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or arteriovenous fistula (AVF): These vascular anomalies could be a cause of haematuria but are rare and usually have other associated symptoms or signs.
- Endometriosis of the urinary tract: Although endometriosis is a known condition, its involvement of the urinary tract is less common and could potentially cause haematuria, especially if the patient has a history of endometriosis.
- Foreign body in the urinary tract: This could be a rare cause of haematuria if a foreign object (e.g., a surgical sponge or instrument fragment) was inadvertently left in the urinary tract during surgery.