clinical features
Last reviewed 01/2018
- the patient reports a sudden, painful inability to pass urine
- there is usually a longer history of bladder outflow symptoms
- suprapubic pain which typically, comes in spasms
- patient is acutely distressed
- pain worsens with time
- bladder is enlarged and tender
- the patient is typically male
Acute retention may also be acute on chronic, that is, chronic obstruction which suddenly becomes acute, being precipitated by overfilling, urinary tract infection or severe constipation.