61. Abdominal pain Flashcards
History taking abdominal pain
- Pain, SOCRATES
- Abdominal distension
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Dyspepsia (indigestion / heartburn), hiatus hernia and peptic ulceration
- History of gallstones or previous pancreatitis
- Jaundice
- Altered bowel habit, diarrhoea, constipation or alternating diarrhoea and constipation
- Blood loss (haematemesis or rectal bleeding)
- Mucus or slime per rectum
- Appetite
- Weight change
- Continence
DDX RUQ pain inc epigastric
Hepatobiliary:
Biliary colic
Acute cholecystitis
Chronic cholecystitis
Acute cholangitis
Bile duct gall stone
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
Hepatitis : viral and autoimmune
as usually painless jaundice)
DDX epigastric pain
Oesophagus and stomach/Dyspepsia
- GORD
- Gastritis
- Peptic ulcer: gastric, duodenal. H.pylori, iatrogenic, idiopathic
- Oesophageal cancer
- pancreatitis
DDX generalised abdo pain/ stiff to consider in every part of abdo?
Peritonitis
Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Intestinal obstruction
Ischaemic colitis
Medical - sepsis, diabetic ketoacidosis, sickle cell crisis, hypercalcaemia
DDX iliac fossa pain
Either iliac fossa pain:
Ectopic pregnancy
Ruptured ovarian cyst
Ovarian torsion
Right iliac fossa pain:
Acute appendicitis
Meckel’s diverticulitis
Left iliac fossa pain:
Diverticulitis
DDX suprapubic pain
Lower urinary tract infection
Acute urinary retention
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Prostatitis
What are the symptoms of dyspepsia
Pain:
Acid regurgitation
Retrosternal or epigastric pain
abdo:
Bloating
Cough and voice:
Nocturnal cough
Hoarse voice
Invetsigations dyspepsia
H.pylori urea breath test/stool antigen test
Immediate endoscopy if evidence eg GI bleed (melena, coffee ground vomit)
2ww urgent direct access upper GI endoscopy if:
- dysphagia
- aged 55 and over with weight loss and any of the following:
- upper abdominal pain
- reflux
- dyspepsia.
Consider non‑urgent direct access upper GI endoscopy if:
- haematemesis
Consider non‑urgent direct access upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to assess for stomach cancer in people aged 55 or over with:
- treatment‑resistant dyspepsia
- upper abdominal pain with low haemoglobin levels
- raised platelet count with any of the following:
nausea
vomiting
weight loss
reflux
dyspepsia
upper abdominal pain
- nausea or vomiting with any of the following:
weight loss
reflux
dyspepsia
upper abdominal pain.
Management of ‘undiagnosed dyspepsia’
- Lifestyle advice
- Acid neutralising medications
- Full dose PPI for 4 weeks
- If symptoms return after treatment, step down to lowest dose that controls dyspepsia
- H2 receptor antagonist eg Ranitidine
- Laparoscopic fundoplication
Causes of GORD
dysfunction of lower esophageal sphincter (LES), hiatus hernia, delayed gastric emptying
Typical history GORD
PC: heartburn, regurgitation, retrosternal or epigastric pain, bloating, nocturnal cough, hoarse voice
SHx: obesity, high caffeine intake, smoking, alcohol, meal soon before bed
typical history peptic ulcers
PC: Epigastric discomfort or pain, Nausea and vomiting, Dyspepsia, Bleeding causing haematemesis, “coffee ground” vomiting and melaena, Iron deficiency anaemia (due to constant bleeding), eating typically worsens the pain of gastric ulcers and improves the pain of duodenal ulcers
DHx: NSAIDs, steroids
SHx: Stress, Alcohol, Caffeine, Smoking, Spicy foods
what type of bacteria is h.pylori
gram negative aerobic, fastidious growth reqs
spiral-shaped
pathophysiology h.pylori
It damages the epithelial lining of the stomach resulting in gastritis, ulcers and increasing the risk of stomach cancer. It avoids the acidic environment by forcing its way into the gastric mucosa.
The breaks it creates in the mucosa exposes the epithelial cells underneath to acid.
It also produces ammonia to neutralise the stomach acid. The ammonia directly damages the epithelial cells. Other chemicals produced by the bacteria also damage the epithelial lining.
investigation ?peptic ulcer
Endoscopy with rapid urease test (CLO test) to check for H. pylori, biopsy ?ulcer to exclude malignancy
management h.pylori
triple therapy
proton pump inhibitor (e.g. omeprazole)
plus 2 antibiotics (e.g. amoxicillin and clarithromycin) for 7 days.
ABC
Amoxicillin
PPI looks like B
Clarithromycin
Management peptic ulcer caused by drugs/lifestyle
Stop/reduce causative agent
Full course PPIs (4 or 8 weeks)
H2 receptor antagonist Ranitidine
Can monitor healing using endoscopy
Complications peptic ulcer
- Bleeding - common and potentially life threatening
- Perforation “acute abdomen” and peritonitis. This requires urgent surgical repair (usually laparoscopic).
- Scarring and strictures of the muscle and mucosa - narrowing of the pylorus - pyloric stenosis.
pathophysiology barretts oesophagus
chronic reflux → metaplasia from a squamous to a columnar epithelium
A “premalignant” condition and is a risk factor for the development of adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus (3-5% lifetime risk with Barretts).
lifetime risk adenocarcinoma of oesophagus with barretts oesophagus
3-5%
Management barrets
- regular endoscopy
- PPI
- ablation therapy if low/high grade dysplasia
typical history simple gallstones/ bilairy colic
PC: pain starting suddenly in epigastrium or RUQ and may radiate round to the back in the interscapular region.
HoPC: often doesn’t fluctuate as name suggests but instead persists from 15 mins to 24 hours, nausea and vomiting. Pain may be pptated by fatty food consumption.
Red flags: no fever,
Environment:
MHx: diabetes
DHx: oral contraception
FHx: may have family history
SH: “fair, fat, fertile, female, forty”, after sudden weight loss or abdominal surgeries
ICE:
pain starting suddenly in epigastrium or RUQ and may radiate round to the back in the interscapular region.
bliary colic
examination bilairy colic
no fever
no abdominal tenderness
no jaundice
pathophysiology bilairy colic
Gallbladder neck is impacted by a gallstone. No inflammatory response, yet the contraction of the gallbladder against the occluded neck will result in pain
worse after eating as Fatty acids stimulate the duodenum endocrine cells to release cholocystokinin (CCK) which in turn stimulates the contraction of the gallbladder
plan ?gallstones
Investigations:
- USS (90-95% sensitive)
- LFTs and inflammatory marker normal
- Lipase normal
- Gold standard investigation for gallstones: magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)- can show potential defects in biliary tree
Management:
Analgesia:
for severe pain : diclofenac 75mg IM. A second dose can be given after 30 minutes if necessary.if CI IM opioid
For mild to moderate pain : paracetamol or NSAID ef diclofenac which can be given orally or rectally if nausea is a problem
- Lifestyle factors (reduce fatty foods especially before surgery, don’t need to as much after surgery)
- Referral for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy
gold standard investigation for gallstones
magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)- can show potential defects in biliary tree
steady non-paroxysmal pain in epigastrium/RUQ that radiates to back PLUS fever and tenderness
acute cholecystitis
o/e acute cholecystitis
fever
tenderness
murphys sign positive
no jaundice
Plan acute cholecystitis
Investigations:
Carried out in hospital
- abdominal USS
- Bloods (raised WCC, raised CRP, serum amylase)
Management:
Admit to hospital
Analgesia
Monitoring
IV fluids
Antibiotics
Surgical assessment for cholecystectomy (to be done within 1 week of presentation, ideally within 48 hours)
What is mirizzi syndrome
A stone located in Hartmanns pouch (an out-pouching of the gallbladder wall at the junction with the cystic duct) or in the cystic duct itself can cause compression on the adjacent common hepatic duct.
This results in an obstructive jaundice, even without stones being present within the lumen of the common hepatic or common bile ducts.
Investigation:
MRCP
Management:
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
What is chronic cholecystitis
PC: recurrent or untreated acute cholecystitis —> persistent inflammation of gallbladder wall
Management:
Elective cholecystectomy
What is gallbladder empyema
Gallbladder fills with pus and patient may become septic
PC: similar to acute cholecystitis
Pathophysiology ascending cholangitis
Infection of biliary tract caused by biliary outflow obstruction and biliary infection. Stasis of fluid allows bacterial colonisation.
Main organisms are: e.coli, klebsiella and enterococcus
fever, jaundice, RUQ pain
charcots triad - indicates ascending cholangitis
typical history ascending cholangitis
PC: fever, jaundice, RUQ pain (charcots triad)
HoPC: may have pyrexia, rigours, jaundice, RUQ tenderness, confusion, hypotension, tachycardia
Red flags:
Environment:
MHx: gallstones, recent ERCP procedure, previous cholangitis
DHx: oral contraceptive pill and fibrates
FHx:
SHx: diet rich in fatty foods
Plan ?ascending cholangitis
Initial management:
IV access
Fluid resuscitation
Antibiotics broad spectrum eg co-amoxiclav +metronidazole
Investigation/management:
blood cultures
USS first line - bile duct dialtation
ERCP with or without sphincterotomy and stunting
Long term may require cholecystectomy of gallstones were the cause
o/e ascending cholangitis
fever
tenderness
jaundice
confusion
hypotension
tachycardia
pathophysiology pancreatitis
inflammation of the pancreas. Autodigestion of pancreatic tissue by the pancreatic enzymes, leading to necrosis, caused most commonly by gallstones or alcohol
Each cause will trigger a premature and exaggerated activation of the digestive enzymes within the pancreas. The resulting pancreatic inflammatory response causes an increase in vascular permeability and subsequent fluid shifts (often termed “third spacing”).
Enzymes are released from the pancreas into the systemic circulation, causing autodigestion of fats (resulting in a ‘fat necrosis’) and blood vessels (sometimes leading to haemorrhage in the retroperitoneal space). Fat necrosis can cause the release of free fatty acids, reacting with serum calcium to form chalky deposits in fatty tissue, resulting in hypocalcaemia.
causes pancreatitis
GET SMASHED
Gall stones
Ethanol
Trauma
Steroids
Mumps
Autoimmune
Scorpion stings
Hypertriglyceridemia, hypercalcaemia and hyperparathyroidism
ERCP – endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Drugs – such as sodium valproate, azathioprine and sulphonamides
sudden onset severe constant epigastrium pain radiating to the back/flanks with profuse vomiting
worsen with movement and improve by leaning forwards/in foetal position
pancreatitis
typical history pancreatitis
PC: sudden onset severe constant epigastrium pain radiating to the back/flanks with profuse vomiting
HoPC: worsen with movement and improve by leaning forwards/in foetal position. If caused by gallstones, pain may be described as sudden and knife-like, and may be worse after food.
If alcohol-related, pain may be of less abrupt onset and poorly localized.
Red flags:
Environment: alcohol intake
MHx:
DHx: sodium valproate, azathioprine and sulphonamides
o/e pancreatitis
- pain better on leaning forwards
- fever (inflammation or sepsis)
- signs of shock
- Cullen’s sign (bruising around the umbilicus) and Grey Turner’s sign (bruising in the flanks) , representing retroperitoneal haemorrhage.
plan ?pancreatitis
Plan:
Investigation:
Admit to hospital
Fluid resus, access, abx, o2, parenteral feeding
Bloods: lipase, amylase (3x upper limit), liver and renal function, and inflammatory marker levels.
Imaging: contrast CT is best for pancreatitis.
Investigating cause:
USS for gallstones
Management:
ERCP if gallstones is the cause
Cholecystectomy
which is better amylase or lipase
Lipase is lit !!
raised serum lipase is more accurate for acute pancreatitis, as it remains elevated longer than amylase
Serum amylase or serum lipase – diagnostic of acute pancreatitis if 3x the upper limit of normal*
Amylase can also be marginally raised in pathologies such as bowel perforation, ectopic pregnancy, or diabetic ketoacidosis
LFTs pancreatitis
assess for any concurrent cholestatic element to the clinical picture. Patients with acute pancreatitis noted that an alanine transaminase (ALT) level >150U/L has a positive predictive value of 85% for gallstones as the underlying cause
causes hepatitis
alcoholic hepatitis
non alcoholic fatty liver disease
viral hepatitis
autoimmune hepatitis
drug induced hepatitis
Presentation hepatitis
abdominal pain, fatigue, pruritus, muscle and joint aches, N+V, jaundice, fever (viral hepatitis)
LFTs and bilirubin in hepatitis
LFTS: “hepatitic picture” - high transaminases (AST/ALT) with proportionally less of a rise in ALP.
Transaminases are liver enzymes released into the blood as a result on inflammation of the liver cells
Bilirubin can also rise as a result of inflammation of the liver cells—> jaundice
Elevation in unconjugated bilirubin indicates pre-hepatic or hepatic jaundice eg hepatitis. Whereas conjugated indicates he pato cellular or cholestasis.
Which viral hepatitis’ are faecal oral
A - ass
E - eating
viral hepatitis mneumonic
A - ass (F-O)
B - blood-borne (PP)
C - cerious and circulation (PP)
D - depends on B (PP)
E - eating (F-O)
Prognosis/management each viral hepatitis
A - self-resolves usually within 1-2 months, worse outcome rare
B- 90% of people self-resolve, 10% chronic, antiviral medication can slow progression
C- 25% self resolve, Direct acting antiviral medication for 8-12 weeks (curative in 90% of patients)
D- Increases complications and severity of Hep B
E- Usually self-resolve within 1 month, can become chronic if immunocompromised
why is the liver scanned in hepatitis, what are you looking for?
Cirrhosis : fibroscan
Hepatocellular carcinoma : USS
initial testing for hepatitis B
Surface antigen (HBsAg) – active infection
Core antibodies (HBcAb) – implies past (or current) infection
Which viral hepatitis is a DNA virus
hepatitis B
Autoimmune hepatitis type 1 typical history
PC Type 1: adults, typically women in late 40s and 50s, around or after menopause. fatigue and features of liver disease
antibodies type 1 autoimmune hepatitis
Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA)
Anti-smooth muscle antibodies (anti-actin)
Anti-soluble liver antigen (anti-SLA/LP)
typical history type 2 autoimmune hepatitis
children in their teenage or early twenties present with acute hepatitis with high transaminases and jaundice
autoantibodies for type 2 autoimmune hepatitis
Anti-liver kidney microsomes-1 (anti-LKM1)
Anti-liver cytosol antigen type 1 (anti-LC1)