Benign conditions of the large bowel

Question 1

What are the common benign conditions of the large intestine?

Answer 1

• colonic polyps
• Crohn’s colitis and ulcerative colitis
• diverticular disease
• functional disorders

Question 2

Define diverticula?

Answer 2

• small outpouching along the walls of a hollow organ

Question 3

Define diverticulosis?

Answer 3

• diverticula in the colon
• true (all layer)
• false (only mucosa and submucosa)

Question 4

What are the symptoms of diverticulosis?

Answer 4

• asymptomatic
• mild constipation
• mild abdominal discomfort after meals
• usually found incadentaly

Question 5

What are the complications of diverticulosis?

Answer 5

• GI bleeding

- acute diverticulitis

Question 6

What is diverticulitis?

Answer 6

• infection of the diverticula in the colon

Question 7

What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?

Answer 7

• Left lower abdo pain
• mild fever
• altered bowel habits

Question 8

Treatment of diverticulitis?

Answer 8

• antibiotics

- persisant ? abscess

Question 9

complications of diverticulitis?

Answer 9

• partial obstruction
• peritonitis
• fistula

Question 10

Explain Hartmann’s procedure?

Answer 10

• often used in treatment of diverticulitis

- surgical resection of the rectosigmoid colon

Question 11

What are the treatments for ulcerative colitis/Crohns disease?

Answer 11

• IV fluids
• IV steroids
• GI Rest

Question 12

Explain colonic angiodysplasia?

Answer 12

• submucosal lakes of blood
• obscure cause of rectal bleeding
• right side of colon

Question 13

What can cause large bowel obstruction?

Answer 13

• colorectal cancer
• benign structure
• volvulus

Question 14

Treatment of large bowel obstruction?

Answer 14

• operate
• resuscitate
• stenting

Question 15

What are the causes of a sigmoid volvulus?

Answer 15

• bowel twists on mesentery

Question 16

What is an example of a function bowel disorder and how would you treat?

Answer 16

• faecal impaction

- enemas, laxatives, manual evacuation