crohn's disease

Question 1

This is a chronic _____ GI disease characterised by transmural _____ inflammation affecting any part of the GI tract from the gut to the anus - but especially in the____ ___ and ___ ___

Answer 1

This is a chronic inflammatory GI disease characterised by transmural granulomatous inflammation affecting any part of the GI tract from the gut to the anus - but especially in the terminal ileum and proximal colon

Question 2

Unlike UC there is ___ ___ between areas of active disease (____ lesions)

Answer 2

Unlike UC there is unaffected bowel between areas of active disease (skip lesions)

Question 3

how do people with crohn’s develop malabsorption?

Answer 3

There is extensive intestinal resections,
enterocolic fistulas and
strictures leading to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth so they may develop significant malabsorption

Question 4

how does the disease symptoms present? 4

Answer 4

Abdominal pain and tenderness - most classically in the right lower quandran

• diarrhoea
• Fever
• weight loss

Question 5

what are the signs? 4

Answer 5

Aphthous ulcerations
Perianal abscess/fistulas/skin tags
Anal strictures
Clubbing

Question 6

how is crohn’s diagnosed? 5

Answer 6

• endoscopy
• barium imaging of the small bowel mucosa
• CT
• MRI
• Colonoscopy

Question 7

what may be seen with barium imaging of the small bowel? 3

Answer 7

• strictures
• ulcerations
• fistulae

Question 8

what is the treatment for crohn’s ? 4

Answer 8

• Steroids
• Immunosuppressants
• Azathioprine 6-MP
• Biological therapy (anti TNF)