Benign Colon Conditions Flashcards
What is a divertculum?
Mucosal herniation through muscle coat
What is diverticulosis?
presence of diverticulum
What is Diverticulitis?
presence of inflammation of the diverticulum
What is used to diagnose a diverticulum?
clinical history
barium enema
sigmoidoscopy
What are the clinical features of Diverticulitis? (uncomplicated)
left iliac fossae pain/tenderness
Septic
altered bowel habit
What are the complications of Diverticular disease? (complicated)
pericolic abscess
haemorrhage
Perforated colon – feaces in the abdominal cavity so patient is at high risk of dying
Fistula – abnormal communication between two epithelial surfaces
- passing bubbles when they pee – confirms fistula
Stricture – caused by chronic colitis and cancer
At what stage in the Hinchey classification would surgery be the first line response?
Stage 4
What is the only form of mangement for Uncomplicated Diverticulitis?
oral antibiotics
What are the treatments for Complicated Diverticulitis?
Percutaneous Drainage
Hartmann’s procedure
Laparoscopic Lavage and Drainage
Primary resection/ anastomosis
What are the causes for acute and chronic colitis?
Infective colitis
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s colitis
Ischaemic colitis
What are the symptoms for acute and chronic colitis?
Diarrhoea + blood abdominal cramps dehydration sepsis weight loss anaemia
How are acute and chronic colitis diagnosed?
Plain X-ray
Sigmoidoscopy + biopsy - most common
stool cultures
barium enema
What is the first line treatment for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s?
IV fluids
IV steroids - once infective/ischaemic colitis ruled out
GI rest
What is the second line treatment for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s?
Rescue medical therapy
Surgery
Describe the causes of ischeamic colitis?
Elderly
Arteriopaths - people with diseased arteries
acute or chronic occlusion of inferior mesenteric artery
