Clinical Topic 2: GI Bleeding Flashcards
What are the two scoring systems used in patients with Upper GI Bleeding?
Blatchford Score
Rockall Score
When is the Blatchford Score used, what is the range of the scoring, what is assessed and what is a poor score to have?
Used in initial assessments of patients with Upper GI Bleeding
Ranges from 0 to 23
Assessed by Blood urea nitrogen, Hb levels, Systolic BP, HR, melena, hepatic and cardiac disease
High risk of bleeding with score >0
When is the Rockall Score used, what is assessed and what is a good and poor score to have?
Used after patients have endoscopy for Upper GI Bleeding
Assesses ABCDE:
Age, Blood pressure (Shock),Co-morbidity, Diagnosis, Evidence of Bleeding
Score <3 = good, >8 = high mortality
What are the NICE Guidelines for Endoscopic treatment for non-variceal Upper GI bleeds?
- Do not give adrenaline as a mono-therapy
1. Clips ± adrenaline
2. Thermal coagulation + adrenaline
3. Fibrin/thrombin + adrenaline
What are the NICE Guidelines for treatment for variceal Upper GI bleeds?
Terlipression + antibiotics
- Oesophageal varices: Banding (1st line), TIPS (2nd line)
- Gastric varices: Cyanoacrylate (1st line), TIPS (2nd line)
What is Boerhaave syndrome? What is it usually caused by?
Spontaneous perforation of Oesophagus, usually due to medical instrumentation i.e. Endoscopy
What is the clinical significance of the Ligament of Treitz (Suspensory muscle of Duodenum)?
Anatomical landmark to differentiate between Upper and Lower GI Bleeding
What is a Deulefoy’s lesion?
Large tortuous arteriole most commonly in the stomach submucosa that erodes and bleeds
What is the microbiology of H. pylori, a bacteria which can cause upper GI ulcers
Gram negative, curved rod shaped, helical bacilli
What is the role of Parietal cells, where are they located, and what can they be influenced by?
Release of HCl, located in the fundus and body, and are influenced by G cells which secrete Gastrin to cause further HCl release by Parietal cells
What are the common locations of Gastric and Duodenal ulcers?
Gastric: Lesser curve of stomach
Duodenal: After the pyloric sphincter
What is Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome?
Neuroendocrine gastrinoma located in the duodenum or pancreas, releasing gastrin which simulates Parietal cells to release more HCl causing ulceration
In Gastric ulcers, which artery may be invaded by an ulcer and cause massive bleeding?
Left gastric artery
In Duodenal ulcers, which artery may be invaded by an ulcer and cause massive bleeding?
Gastroduodenal artery
How might a perforated Peptic ulcer cause referred pain?
Air collection under the diaphragm, causing phrenic nerve irritation and referred pain to the shoulder
How do longstanding duodenal ulcers cause Gastric Outlet Obstruction?
Longstanding oedema and scarring prevents passage of gastric contents
Why do gastric ulcers cause post-prandial abdominal pain?
Release of HCl due to eating
Why is duodenal ulcer pain relieved by eating?
Release of Bicarbonate from Brunner glands which neutralises HCl
Mallory Weiss tears affect which layer of the oesophagus? What kind of tears are they?
Only the mucosa, and longitudinal linear tears
What is the difference between Mallory Weiss tear and Boarhaave’s syndrome?
Mallory Weiss - only mucosal tear
Boarhaave’s syndrome - full thickness tear, can also hear Hamman’s sign (crunching sounds on auscultation due to pneumomediastinum)
What is Haematochezia?
Fresh red blood per rectum
Intussusception commonly occurs in what age group?
Mainly infants, 2/3rds of which before the age of 1. Can also occur in adults
What is the most common cause of bowel obstruction?
Intussusception
Which region of the GI tract does Intussusception commonly occur?
Ileocaecal region, where the ileum folds into the caecum
What is the common leading edge in infants with Intussusception?
Lymphoid hyperplasia, particularly Peyer’s patches
What are symptoms of Intussusception?
- Intermittent abdominal pain
- Red currant jelly stools
- Sausage shaped structure in abdomen
- Drawing knees up to chest
In imaging, what may be visualised in patients with Intussusception?
Bull’s eye, which is the telescoped intestine on end
What are treatment options for Intussusception?
- Barium or air enema
- Surgery