Abdominal Flashcards
Causes of MASSIVE splenomegaly?
Myeloproliferative disease- CML or myelofibrosis
Chronic malaria
Glycogen storage disorders
Cause of non massive splenomegaly?
Portal hypertension
Lymphoproliferative disease (CLL, Hodkins) (should have lymphadenopathy)
Sarcoidosis
Infection- especially EBV, CMV, HIV
What would you send ascitic fluid for?
Albumin, amylase/lipase, cytology, MCS, cell count
Usual NILS?
Autoantibodies and immunoglobulins Ferritin A1AT Caeruloplasmin (<45) Viral hepatitis screen incl EBV/CMV if acute AFP Coeliac screen TFTs
Complications of cirrhosis
HCC
Variceal haemorrhage
SBP
Encephalopathy
Signs of portal hypertension?
Ascites Hepatosplenomegaly Raised JVP Variceal bleeding Distended veins in abdomen
Chronic management of cirrhosis?
Abstinence from alcohol
Salt restriction and good nutrition
Diuretics, if resistant then regular large volume paracentesis
If previous encephalopathy- laxatives and rifaximin
Propranolol and/or endoscopic therapies for varices
Liver transplantation
Causes of palmar erythema? (5)
RA CLD Pregnancy Polycythaemia Hyperthyroidism
Causes of gynaecomastia? (6)
Spironolactone or other drugs CLD Kleinefelters Physiological- puberty and senility Testicular tumour/orchidectomy (loss of testosterone) Endocrinopathy
Which antibody in usually identified in PBC?
Antimichondrial antibody with increased IgM?
Which antibody is usually found in PSC
ANA, Anti-smooth muscle antibody
Which antibody is typically found in AI?
Anti-smooth muscle, anti liver/kidney microsomal type (LKM1) and sometimes ANA
Treatments of PBC?
Ursedeoxycholic acid helps with symptoms and improves prognosis. May require transplant.
What should you present in a patient with CLD?
Presence of decompensation i.e. jaundice, ascites, encephalopathy
Clues as to aetiology
Signs of portal hypertension i.e. ascites, distended veins, hepatomegaly/splenomegaly
Evidence of treatment i.e. liver transplant scar, ascitic drain/tap sites
Clinical signs of haemachromatosis?
Increased skin pigmentation (slate grey) Stigmata of chronic liver disease Hepatomegaly Evidence of venesection Evidence of joint replacement Rooftop scar- hemihepatectomy for HCC
Evidence of complications of haemachromatosis
Finger prick marks or insulin injection sites
Congestive heart failure
Arthropathy (pseudogout)
Describe the inheritance of haemachromatosis?
Autosomal recessive on chromosome 6. Affects HFE gene.
How do patients with haemachromatosis generally present?
Pruritis and fatigue
CLD
Incidental diagnosis or family screening
Usually seen earlier in men as women are protected by menstrual losses.
What other investigations should you consider in haemachromatosis apart from transferrin and ferritin (to screen for complications0?
Cardiac- ECG and echo
Endocrine- glucose and HbA1c
Liver: Liver USS and AFP (may still have cirrhosis even in the presence of normal LFTs as not inflammatory)
Treatment of haemochromatosis?
Regular venesection (1 unit/week) until iron deficient then 1 unit 3-4/year Alcohol avoidance Surveillance for HCC (200 x increased risk if cirrhotic)
How would you screen family members for Haemachromatosis?
Iron studies (ferritin and TSAT) Ferritin >200 in females, >300 in males with TFS >40% females and >50% in males Positive HFE gene does not guarantee heamochromatosis as has variable penetrance. Liver biopsy and genotyping if positive
What clues might you get as to the aetiology of splenomegaly? (4)
Lymphadenopathy if haematological or infiltrative.
Stigmata of CLD in portal hypertension.
Peripheral stigmata of IE
RA hands in Feltys
First line investigations for splenomegaly?
USS abdomen to confirm splenomegaly then
Full panel of blood tests including FBC with blood film. If infection suspected then thick and thin films and viral serology.
If haematological pathology suspected then consider bone marrow aspirate, lymph node biopsy, CT thorax and abdomen.
Indications for splenectomy?
Trauma
Haematological (ITP and hereditary spherocytosis)