Abdo Histories Flashcards
What are the red flags for a patient with dysphagia?
Progressive dysphagia Anaemia Weight loss Anorexia Malaena/haematemesis Age>55
What are the neuromuscular disorders that can cause dysphagia? (3)
Stroke
Myaesthenia Gravis
Motor neurone disease
What features in a dysphagia history might point to a stroke?
Other features: acute onset speech impairment/limb weakness
High risk of aspiration - gurgling voice after drinking
RFs: diabetes, obesity, hypertension, AF
What features in a dysphagia history might point to myasthenia gravis?
Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder
Muscle fatiguability
Difficulty initiating swallowing with subsequent cough due to aspiration
Other signs: weakness, ptosis, dysarthria, SoB, waddling gait
What features in a dysphagia history might point to motor neurone disease?
Age 50-70; Male
Progressive with UMN & LMN signs
Progressive bulbar palsy - quiet hoarse voice
What are the obstructive causes of dysphagia? (5)
Oesophageal cancer Benign oesophageal stricture Oesophageal web Oesophageal pouch External compression
What features in a dysphagia history might point to oesophageal cancer?
Progressively worsening dysphagia
Initially solids, later liquids
Constitutional symptoms
RFs: older, male, smoking, alcohol, chronic GORD
What features in a dysphagia history might point to benign oesophageal stricture?
Associated with chronic GORD
Intermittent dysphagia for solids, gradually worsens
Hx of corrosive ingestion, radiation or trauma
What features in a dysphagia history might point to oesophageal web?
Associated with odynophagia (pain on swallowing)
Due to congenital or Plummer-Vinson syndome
What features in a dysphagia history might point to pharyngeal pouch?
Lump in throat
Halitosis (bad breath)
What oesophageal motility disorders cause dysphagia? (3)
Achalasia
Oesophageal spasm
Systemic sclerosis
What features in a dysphagia history might point to achalasia?
Difficulty relaxing oesophageal stricture
Long Hx of intermittent dysphagia (solids>liquids)
Retrosternal chest pain after meals + heart burn
What features in a dysphagia history might point to oesophageal spasm?
Spontaneous intermittent chest pain
Commonly misdiagnosed ACS
What features in a dysphagia history might point to systemic sclerosis?
Reflux symptoms
Right, thickened skin
Raynaud’s
Possible heart/lung involvement
What are the red flags for a patient with change in bowel habit?
Anaemia
Weight loss
Age >60
Rectal bleeding