Crohn's Disease Flashcards
Describe Crohn’s disease?
Chronic inflammation of the GI tract that can affect anywhere from mouth to anus
Who does Crohn’s most commonly present in?
Young Patients
Males
Describe the pathology of Crohn’s?
Presents as ‘skip lesions’
Non-continious inflammation in patches
Symptoms
Diarrhoea Abdominal Pain Weight Loss Failure to thrive in children Fever, Malaise, Anorexia Constipation
How can Crohn’s present?
Presents acutely or chronically
Signs of Crohn’s on inspection?
Abdominal Tenderness Right Illiac Fossa Mass Perianal Fistulas and Abscesses Cobblestoning Clubbing
Investigations for Crohn’s?
Endoscopy and Biopsy Barium Swallow Blood Tests (WWC increased, HB decreased)
Describe the histology of Crohn’s?
Chronic Inflammatory Cell Infiltrate
Large, non-caesating granulmonas
Patchy chronic active colitis
Treatment for Crohn’s?
Steroids
Antibiotics
Immunosuppression (Methotrexate)
Surgery
Describe surgery for Crohn’s?
Only a part of the Colon is resected in surgery
Complications of Crohn’s?
Malabsorption Short Bowel Syndrome (From Resections) Vitamin Deficiency Gallstones Fistulas Anal Disease Bowel Obstruction Perforation Malignancy