Colitis

Question 1

what is it

Answer 1

inflammation of colon

Question 2

what causes infective colitis

Answer 2

C.diff, campylobacter, shigella, E.coli 0157

Question 3

what causes ischaemic colitis

Answer 3

obstruction (cancer, volvulus, faeces)

atherosclerosis of inferior mesenteric vessels (often in elderly)

Question 4

what causes antibiotic induced colitis

Answer 4

patient on broad spectrum antibiotics (toxin A an B attack endothelium and epithelium)

Question 5

what is collagenous colitis

Answer 5

increase in thickness of collagen, patchy disease

Question 6

what is lymphocytic colitis

Answer 6

intraepithelial lymphocytes raised, raise possibility of coeliac disease

Question 7

what is radiation colitis

Answer 7

telangiectasia, bizarre stromal cells and vessels

Question 8

what are symptoms

Answer 8

diarrhoea +/- blood
dehydration
cramping pain
weight loss

Question 9

how is it diagnosed

Answer 9

AXR
stool culture
sigmoidoscopy / colonoscopy
barium enema

Question 10

what is treatment

Answer 10

steroids
IV fluids
anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressants