[Urinary retention]

Urinary retention is a lack of ability to urinate. In acute case of urinary retention, some associated symptoms are present such as lower abdominal distention and pain. It is usually a common complication of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatic cancer, urethral stricture, neurogenic bladder or medications (including anticholinergics and antidepressants). The ultrasound examination is useful for the diagnosis and shows massive increase in bladder capacity. The treatment requires urgent placement of a urinary catheter into the bladder. However, in case of difficulty for indwelling a catheter, the patient should be sent to the urologist.