disease definitions Flashcards
define the acute abdomen
A combination of symptoms and signs, including abdominal pain, which results in a patient being referred for an urgent general surgical opinion.
what is the pathophysiology of the acute abdomen?
Peritonitis
Intestinal obstruction
Abdominal pain
what are some of the aetiologies of the acute abdomen?
non-specific pain, acute appendicitis, acute cholecystitis/colic pain, petic ulcer perforation, etc.
what are the major liver diseases?
alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), viral hepatitis, autoimmune liver diseases
what are the different hepatitis viruses?
A, B, C, D and E
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a term encompassing which three entities?
Simple steatosis
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Fibrosis and cirrhosis
what is the progression of NAFLD?
normal liver -> steatosis -> NASH -> fibrosis and cirrhosis (not all cases progress the entire way)
what are the three main autoimmune liver diseases?
Autoimmune hepatitis
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
define jaundice
Yellowing of the skin, sclerae, and other tissues caused by excess circulating bilirubin - can be classified as pre-hepatic, hepatic, or post-hepatic
define Choledocholithiasis
the presence of gallstone(s) in the common bile duct
what is cholangitis (ascending cholangitis)?
an infection of the bile duct, usually caused by bacteria ascending from its junction with the duodenum. It tends to occur if the bile duct is already partially obstructed by gallstones.
what is the definition of chronic liver disease and its causes?
Liver disease that persists beyond 6 months: Chronic hepatitis Chronic cholestasis Fibrosis and Cirrhosis Others e.g. steatosis Liver tumours
what is the clinical presentation of cirrhosis?
Compensated chronic liver disease,
Decompensated chronic liver disease (ascites, variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy)
Hepatocellular carcinoma
what are varices and where do they occur?
an abnormally dilated vessel with a tortuous course, due to portral hypertension. occur at porto-systemic anastomoses: Skin – Caput medusa Oesophageal & Gastric Rectal Posterior abdominal wall Stomal
what is hepatic encephalopathy and what are its precipitants?
confusion due to liver disease. can be precipitated by: GI bleed, infection, constipation, dehydration (electrolyte disturbance), medication esp. sedation
what is the most common type of liver cancer?
hepatocellular carcinoma
what is steatosis?
fatty liver (can be a result of alcohol abuse or not)
what is steatohepatitis?
fatty liver with inflammation (can be a result of alcohol abuse or not); neutrophil infiltration and can result in fibrosis and cirrhosis due to a build-up of scar tissue
what is achalasia?
a hypomotility disorder; functional loss of myenteric plexus ganglion cells in distal oesophagus and LOS; results in the failure of the LOS to relax
what is gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)?
pathological acid (and bile) exposure in lower oesophagus due to abnormal function of LOS ? and/or the presence of a hiatus hernia ?
define barrett’s oesophagus
Intestinal metaplasia related to prolonged acid exposure in distal oesophagus; is a precursor to dysplasia/ adenocarcinoma
where in the oesophagus is squamous cell carcinoma most likely to occur?
in the proximal and middle third of oesophagus
where in the oesophagus is adenocarcinoma most likely to occur?
Occurs in distal oesophagus; is associated with Barrett’s oesophagus (progresses through dysplasia to cancer)
