Abdominal Examination Flashcards
VIVA
Name five causes of abdominal distension
5Fs:
Fluid (ascites)
Flatus
Fat (adipose tissue)
Fetus (pregnancy)
Faeces (constipation)
VIVA
What clinical examination features would suggest decompensation of chronic liver disease?
Jaundice
Encephalopathy (confusion, asterixis)
Ascites
VIVA
In what circumstances might you be able to palpate a kidney?
It is uncommon to palpate a kidney. You may be able to palpate a kidney in some circumstances:
Cysts (e.g. in polycystic kidney disease)
Hydronephrosis
Congenital kidney abnormalities
Renal cell carcinoma
VIVA
What are the causes of hepatosplenomegaly?
Chronic liver disease with portal hypertension
Haematological:
o Leukaemia
o Lymphoma
o Myeloproliferative disorders
Infections:
o Acute viral hepatitis
o CMV/EBV
o Malaria
o Visceral leishmaniasis
Infiltration:
o Amyloidosis
o Sarcoidosis
VIVA
What are the complications of stoma formation?
Early:
High output stoma >1L/day (→ dehydration, hypokalaemia)
Retraction
Bowel obstruction/ileus
Ischaemia of stoma
Late:
Parastomal hernia
Prolapse
Fistulae
Stenosis
Psychological complications
Skin dermatitis
Malnutrition
VIVA
What are the most common pathologies requiring a renal transplant?
A renal transplant is indicated for end stage chronic kidney disease (GFR <15ml/minute), commonest causes include:
Diabetes mellitus
Polycystic kidney disease
Hypertension
Autoimmune glomerulonephritis
VIVA
Name, describe and list the indications for an end colostomy?
End colostomy (sigmoid/descending colon): proximal bowel opening brought to surface and distal bowel removed or stapled off/oversewn. Indications:
o Abdominoperineal (AP) resection for low rectal tumours
o Hartmann’s procedure for emergency resection of rectosigmoid lesions where primary anastomosis is unfavourable
Name, describe and list the indications for a loop colostomy?
Loop colostomy (transverse/descending colon): two openings made in a loop of intact bowel that is brought to the surface through one incision to form a stoma. The proximal opening drains faeces and the distal opening can drain mucus. It may be initially supported by a plastic rod. It is most commonly performed to divert the faecal stream away from distal bowel because of:
o Impending or actually obstructed large bowel
o Colonic lesions where the patient may not survive extensive surgery
o A distal bowel resection with primary anastomosis (to protect the anastomosis while sutures heal)
Name, describe and list the indications for a loop colostomy?
Double barrel colostomy (transverse/descending colon): a segment of bowel removed and both ends brought to the surface separately to form a stoma. The proximal end drains faeces and the distal end (called a ‘mucous fistula’) can drain mucus from the non-functioning bowel. Used infrequently after a segment of colon removed and primary anastomosis is unfavourable
VIVA
How is chronic liver disease managed?
- Treat/manage cause
- General
o Optimise nutrition
o Alcohol abstinence
- General
- Monitoring
o Bloods including FBC, LFTs, albumin, coagulation screen, and α-fetoprotein every 6 months (for liver function and hepatocellular carcinoma)
o USS every 6 months (for hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic vein thrombus, reversed portal flow)
o Upper GI endoscopy every 3 years (for varices)
- Monitoring
- Treat/prevent complications
o Varices: banding, carvedilol, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (for refractory ascites/varices/hepatic pleural effusion)
o Ascites: spironolactone, low salt diet, fluid restriction
o Encephalopathy: lactulose, rifaximin
o Coagulopathy: vitamin K
- Treat/prevent complications
VIVA
Please list some extra-renal signs of polycystic kidney disease
Hepatic Cysts
Ovarian cysts
Pancreatic Cysts
Berry aneurysms
Cardiac valve disease
Colonic diverticula
Aortic root dilatation
Anaemia
VIVA
Which conditions can cause secondary polycythaemia?
COPD
Obstructive sleep apnoea
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
Diuretics
Renal malignancy
Altitude
Cyanotic heart disease
VIVA
A middle-aged female presents to you with jaundice and hepatomegaly, which conditions would you include in your differential diagnosis?
Primary biliary cholangitis
Autoimmune hepatitis
Viral hepatitis
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Alcoholic liver disease
VIVA
What are the main ways to prevent graft rejection after renal transplantation?
HLA matching
Testing for donor specific antibodies
Immunosuppression (often with MMF, tacrolimus and prednisolone)
Clinical findings of chronic liver disease
Clubbing
Leukonychia
Palmar erythema
Dupuytren’s contracture
Jaundice
Spider naevi
Gynaecomastia
Loss of axillary hair
Distended abdominal wall veins/‘caput medusae’ (portal hypertension)
Hepatomegaly (but liver is often small in cirrhosis)
Splenomegaly (portal hypertension)
Ascites
Clincial findings after transplanted kidney
Old AV fistula
Rutherford-Morrison scar (usually RIF)
Smooth mass underlying scar (transplanted kidney)
Clinical findings of polycystic kidneys
AV fistula (if undergone dialysis)
Hypertension
Pale conjunctiva (anaemia)
Flank scar (if either kidney has been removed)
Bilateral ballotable flank masses
Hepatomegaly (hepatic cysts)
Clinical signs of previous liver transplant
Signs of chronic liver disease (but most resolve)
Mercedes Benz modification scar
Clinical findings of combined kidney-pancreas transplant
LIF scar (renal graft)
RIF scar (pancreas graft)
Smooth mass underlying LIF scar (transplanted kidney)
Clinical findings of olycythaemia rubra vera
Dusky cyanosis
Hypertension
Facial plethora
Splenomegaly
Clinical findings of hereditary spherocytosis
Pale conjunctiva
Mild jaundice
Splenomegaly
Clinical findings of primary biliary cholangitis
Middle-aged female
Jaundice
Skin hyperpigmentation
Excoriations
Xanthelasma
Hepatomegaly
What is Charcot’s triad?
Charcot’s triad represents the clinical features of cholangitis:
Jaundice
Fever
Right upper quadrant abdominal pain
Ultrasound confirms a common bile duct stone. How would you manage the patient?
Ensure blood cultures taken
IV antibiotics
IV fluids
ERCP to relieve obstruction (or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage if this is unsuccessful)
What are the most common causes of end-stage kidney disease?
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Glomerulonephritis
- Polycystic kidney disease
What symptoms may you expect in end-stage kidney disease?
Renal failure is most often asymptomatic but may present with non-specific symptoms such as:
Fatigue
Vomiting and loss of appetitive
Shortness of breath
Muscle cramps
Restless legs
Bone pain
Confusion
What are the main indications for renal replacement therapy in kidney disease?
In acute renal failure, AEIOU:
Acidosis
Electrolyte abnormalities (hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia, hypercalcaemia)
Intoxicants (methanol, lithium, salicylates)
Overload
Uraemia
In chronic kidney disease, renal replacement therapy is generally required when the GFR is <15ml/minute, and there are symptoms or complications of kidney disease
List some complications of chronic kidney disease
Renal bone disease due to secondary hyperparathyroidism
Cardiovascular disease
Anaemia due to low EPO production
Arrhythmia related to hyperkalaemia
What options are available to patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease?
Dialysis
Haemodialysis: three 4-hourly sessions a week at the hospital, usually via AV fistula
Peritoneal dialysis: carried out at home either 3-5 times a day or 7-10 hours at night, via Tenckhoff catheter
Renal transplant
Live transplant: best outcome overall
Deceased Transplant: can be donation after brain death (DBD) or donation after cardiac death (DCD)
Patients with diabetes, may also be considered for a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant
Please list some red flags for anal cancer?
A mass at the anal opening
Bleeding from the rectum
Pain or a feeling of fullness in the anal area
Abnormal discharge from the rectum
Bowel incontinence
Change in bowel habit
Can you list some differentials of fresh red PR bleeding?
Inflammatory bowel disease
Anal Fissure
Colorectal Cancer
Haemorrhoids
Diverticular disease
How would you expect a cancer of the prostate to feel on digital rectal examination?
Hard
Firm
Asymmetrical
Craggy/irregular
Loss of central sulcus
What is Virchow’s node? What is the clinical significance?
Virchow’s node is left-sided supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. It is a common place for intra-abdominal malignancies to metastasise to, particularly gastric cancer.
Please list some causes of localised lymphadenopathy
Infection of area drained by lymph node (e.g. tonsillitis causing cervical lymphadenopathy)
TB
Lymphoma
Malignancy
Toxoplasmosis
Please list some causes of generalised lymphadenopathy
- Lymphoma
- Malignancy
- EBV/CMV
- HIV
- Adenovirus
- Toxoplasmosis
- Disseminated TB
- Visceral leishmaniasis
- Sarcoidosis
- Still’s disease
- SLE
What is haemodiafiltration? What is the advantage of it?
Haemodiafiltration combines haemodialysis and haemofiltration. It may be used for chronic kidney disease (haemodiafiltration) or acute kidney injury (continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration). It has a theoretical advantage over haemodialysis because it also allows removal of some larger molecules (e.g. β2 microglobulin).
What are the complications of renal replacement therapy?
– Common non-severe side effects: headache, itching, muscle cramps
– Disequilibrium syndrome: osmotic changes lead to cerebral oedema
– Hypotension
– Haemolysis (may cause hyperkalaemia)
– Infection
– Problems with fluid balance
What are the commonest reasons for end-stage chronic kidney disease?
– Diabetes (secondary glomerular disease)
– Chronic hypertension
– Chronic glomerulonephritis
– Polycystic kidney disease
Why is a fistula needed?
The blood volume that needs to be removed and returned during haemodialysis is too great for a normal vein. If a vein and an artery are joined, the pressure of arterial blood entering the vein dilates it and increases the flow rate. After the vein is sufficiently dilated, it can be used for haemodialysis.
How long does it take for an AV fistula becomes patent?
It takes 4-6 weeks to sufficiently dilate the vein.
How is an AV fistula used?
Once the vein is dilated, two needles are inserted into the vein:
1. Afferent needle: takes blood from the vein to the haemodialysis machine (placed distally)
2. Efferent needle: returns blood from the haemodialysis machine to the vein (place proximally)
What are the complications of an AV fistula?
Common complications include: thrombosis, venous stenosis, aneurysm, infection, Steal syndrome (distal ischaemia)
What special instructions should be given to a patient with a new AV fistula?
– Do not let anyone take blood from or cannulate the arm on the side of the AV fistula
– Do not let anyone measure blood pressure on the arm on the side of the AV fistula
– Keep the arm clean
– Check the fistula daily for pulse/thrill
What are the advantages of an AV fistula over a central venous catheter?
- Lower re-circulation rate: afferent and efferent needles can be placed quite far apart up the vein, so only a tiny proportion of the blood returned to the patient (via the efferent needle) it taken back up again (by the afferent needle). Central venous catheter haemodialysis has a higher re-circulation rate because the afferent and efferent tubes are very close to one another.
- Lower infection rate
- Higher blood flow rate (allowing more efficient dialysis)
- Lower incidence of thrombosis
What are the different types of peritoneal dialysis?
– Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: patient replaces peritoneal dialysate manually with fluid bags 3-5 times daily (each exchange takes 30-40 minutes)
– Automated peritoneal dialysis: machine automatically replaces peritoneal dialysate overnight (over 8-10 hours)
What are the contraindications to peritoneal dialysis?
– Peritoneal adhesions
– Stoma
– Hernias
– Inflammatory bowel disease
What are the complications of peritoneal dialysis?
– Peritonitis
– Infection around catheter site
– Constipation
– Catheter malposition
– Fluid leaks
– Hernias
– Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis
– Weight gain
What are the advantages of peritoneal dialysis?
– Can be done at home
– Dialysis fluid can be delivered to patient’s home
– Easier to travel/go on holiday
– Fewer restrictions on diet and fluid intake
How long does a renal graft last? What affects this time?
10-15 years
Affected by:
– ‘Cold time’ (time out of donor/recipient body)
– Type of donor (live/cadaveric)
– Donor age
Which immunosuppressive agents are usually given posttransplant?
Triple immunosuppression is usually required:
– Prednisolone
– Calcineurin inhibitor (e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus)
– Antimetabolite (e.g. azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil)
What are the early complications of stoma formation?
– High output stoma >1L/day (→ dehydration, hypokalaemia)
– Retraction
– Bowel obstruction/ileus
– Ischaemia of stoma
What are the late complications of stoma formation?
– Parastomal hernia
– Prolapse
– Fistulae
– Stenosis
– Psychological complications
– Skin dermatitis
– Malnutrition
What would you expect to happen to the size of the liver and spleen in liver cirrhosis?
– The liver is often not palpable in cirrhosis because it shrinks
– Splenomegaly due to portal hypertension is a more common finding
What are the causes of massive splenomegaly?
Massive splenomegaly is usually due to: chronic Myeloid leukaemia, Myelofibrosis, Malaria (or less commonly splenic lymphoma or visceral leishmaniasis).
Which other clinical findings may you expect to find in a patient with hepatosplenomegaly due to a haematological cause?
– Signs of anaemia (e.g. conjunctival pallor)
– Lymphadenopathy
What are three differential diagnoses of a groin lump?
– Inguinal lymph nodes (medial to femoral vein)
– Iliopsoas abscess (lateral to femoral artery)
– Femoral neurofibroma (hard swelling lateral to femoral artery; painful if pressed)
– Saphena varix (dilation of the saphenous vein at junction with the femoral vein)
– Femoral aneurysm (pulsatile)
– Ectopic testes (rare congenital anomaly)
– Hydrocele of spermatic cord (loculated fluid collection along the spermatic cord)
What is is the difference between the midpoint of the inguinal ligament and the mid-inguinal point? What is the significance of each?
Midpoint of the inguinal ligament (midpoint between the ASIS and pubic tubercle) = deep inguinal ring position
Mid-inguinal point (midpoint between the ASIS and pubic symphysis) = femoral artery position
Please list some complications of a hernia mesh repair
– Pain
– Infection (including chronic mesh infection)
– Recurrence of hernia
– Adhesions
– Bleeding/haematoma
– Bowel obstruction
Please list three causes of chronic liver disease
– Alcohol
– Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
– Viral hepatitides
– Autoimmune (e.g. autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis)
– Metabolic (e.g. haemochromatosis)
How would you investigate a patient with decompensated liver disease?
– Bloods: FBC, U&Es, LFTs, CRP, coagulation screen, glucose, blood cultures (if any signs of infection)
– Chest X-ray
– Urine dip and MSU
– Abdominal USS
– Ascitic tap (if ascites present)