Easy Qs Flashcards
Which antibodies useful for pernicious anaemia?
Intrinsic factor - High specificity but only 50% sensitive
Anti-gastric parietal cell - High sensitivity but low specificity
Which antibodies are associated with primary biliary cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis?
Anti mitochondrial
Typical symptoms are malaise, anorexia and weight loss. The associated RUQ pain tends to be mild and jaundice is uncommon
Diagnosis?
Amoebic Liver Abscess
What is Murphy’s sign and what condition is it found in?
Murphy’s sign = arrest of inspiration on palpation of the RUQ
It is found in acute cholecystitis
Advice on alcohol consumption per week?
If you do drink as much as 14 units per week, it is best to spread this evenly over 3 days or more
Advice on alcohol consumption per week?
If you do drink as much as 14 units per week, it is best to spread this evenly over 3 days or more
Most common cause of dysphagia for both SOLIDS and LIQUIDS?
Achalasia
displaying elements of both liver disease (jaundice, hepatocellular LFTs) and neuropsychiatric disease (depression, dementia, behavioural change, tremor)
What should be considered as Dx?
Wilsons disease - needs copper studies
Ix for Wilson’s disease
- slit lamp examination for Kayser-Fleischer rings
- reduced serum caeruloplasmin
- reduced total serum copper (counter-intuitive, but 95% of plasma copper is carried by ceruloplasmin)
free (non-ceruloplasmin-bound) serum copper is increased - increased 24hr urinary copper excretion
- the diagnosis is confirmed by genetic analysis of the ATP7B gene
Signs of Vit C Deficiency?
Easy bruising, prolonged gum bleeding, lethargy, tiredness, and joint pain on a background of poor diet
What marker in blood can give insight into an upper GI bleed?
Upper GI bleed -> can act as a ‘protein meal’ -> Raised urea
What criteria are used to assess risk in upper GI bleeds?
- Glasgow-Blatchford score at first assessment (helps clinicians decide whether patient patients can be managed as outpatients or not)
- Rockall score is used after endoscopy (provides a percentage risk of rebleeding and mortality - includes age, features of shock, co-morbidities, aetiology of bleeding and endoscopic stigmata of recent haemorrhage)
What is the only test recommended for H. pylori post-eradication therapy?
Urea breath test
Need to wait 2 weeks post anti secretory (PPI) use and 4 weeks post anti-bacterial use (abx)
What is the only test recommended for H. pylori post-eradication therapy?
Urea breath test
Need to wait 2 weeks post anti secretory (PPI)W use and 4 weeks post anti-bacterial use (abx)
What are the following scoring systems used for?
APACHE
Gleason
Glasgow
Dukes
TNM
APACHE - ICU mortality score
Gleason Score - Prostate Ca
Glasgow Score - Acute pancreatitis
Duke’s Criteria - Endocarditis
TNM - tumor nodes mets
What is used prohylactically to prevent variceal bleeds?
Non-cardioselective BB eg Propanolol
Signs and symptoms of pharyngeal pouch?
New onset dysphagia
w/out unexplained weight loss and abdominal masses
+ normal endoscopy, in an older male and neck swelling
Ix of choice for pharyngeal pouch?
Barium swallow with fluoroscopy which shows protrusion of the pharynx posteriorly
An upper GI endoscopy may sometimes detect a pharyngeal pouch, but not always.
Red flag symptoms for gastric cancer include:
new-onset dyspepsia in a patient aged >55 years
unexplained persistent vomiting
unexplained weight-loss
progressively worsening dysphagia/
odynophagia
epigastric pain
Classically causes left lower quadrant pain, diarrhoea (acute <14d) and fever
Dx?
Diverticulitis
Bloody diarrhea - UC or Crohns?
UC
Mx of the following billiary conditions?
Gallstones (asymptomatic)
Biliary Colic
Acute cholecystitis
Ascending cholangitis
Gallstones but asymptomatic = Observe
Biliary colic (stones + crampy pain) = Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Acute cholecystitis (stones + crampy pain + fever/inflammatory markers) = Emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy (w/in 48hrs)
Ascending cholangitis (stones + crampy pain + fever/inflammatory markers + jaundice) = MRCP=>ERCP
When should you consider mx for asymptomatic gallstones + why?
If stones are present in the common bile duct there is an increased risk of complications such as cholangitis or pancreatitis and surgical management should be considered
1st line mx of IBS?
First-line pharmacological treatment - according to predominant symptom
- Pain: antispasmodic agents
- Constipation: laxatives but avoid lactulose
- Diarrhoea: loperamide is first-line
New onset diabetes + raised serum lipase + painless jaundice = dx?
What imaging sign?
Pancreatic Cancer
Double duct sign - not seen in all cases of pancreatic cancer but if it is present is either pancreatic or ampulla vater cancer. It is a dilated common bile duct and dilated pancreatic duct.
Pharyngeal pouch - what happens if you try OGD?
Upper GI endoscopy is potentially hazardous and may result in iatrogenic perforation
What score is used to estimate the risk of a patient developing a pressure sore?
Waterlow score
What is ischaemic hepatitis?
Diffuse hepatic injury resulting from acute hypoperfusion (sometimes known as ‘shock liver’)
Often has a percipitating event eg MI
Often, it will occur in conjunction with acute kidney injury (tubular necrosis) or other end-organ dysfunction
What is ischaemic hepatitis?
Diffuse hepatic injury resulting from acute hypoperfusion (sometimes known as ‘shock liver’)
Often has a percipitating event eg MI
Often, it will occur in conjunction with acute kidney injury (tubular necrosis) or other end-organ dysfunction
What do the following signify:
HBsAg
anti-HBc
HBsAg = ongoing infection, either acute or chronic if present > 6 months
anti-HBc = caught, i.e. negative if immunized
NICE recommends: Offer urgent direct access upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (to be performed within 2 weeks) to assess for oesophageal cancer in which people?
In people with dysphagia, or aged 55 and over with weight loss and any of the following:
- Upper abdominal pain
- Reflux
- Dyspepsia
Vasculopath (hypertension, diabetes, smoker) + AF + Diffuse severe abdo pain = dx?
Acute mesenteric ischaemia
Triad of mesenteric ischaemia?
Mesenteric ischaemia: triad of CVD, high lactate and soft but tender abdomen
What is specific to Graves disease and not other forms of hyperthyroidism?
Exophthalmos, diplopia and eye pain in the context of hyperthyroidism are suggestive of thyroid eye disease which is specific to Graves and not any cause of hyperthyroidism
Pretibial myxoedema
Thyroid acropachy, a triad of: (digital clubbing, soft tissue swelling of the hands and feet and periosteal new bone formation)
What should patients on insulin do when they are unwell?
Diabetes sick day rules: when unwell, If a patient is on insulin, they must not stop it due to the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis. They should continue their normal insulin regime but ensure that they are checking their blood sugars frequently
What should patients on insulin do when they are unwell?
Diabetes sick day rules: when unwell, If a patient is on insulin, they must not stop it due to the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis. They should continue their normal insulin regime but ensure that they are checking their blood sugars frequently
What should diabetic pts on oral hypoglycaemics do if they become unwell?
If a patient is taking oral hypoglycaemic medication, they should be advised to continue taking their medication even if they are not eating much. Remember that the stress response to illness increases cortisol levels pushing blood sugars high even without much oral intake. The possible exception is with metformin, which should be stopped if a patient is becoming dehydrated because of the potential impact upon renal function
What should be offered to pts newly diagnosed w/ Graves and awaiting treatment?
Propranolol is a beta-blocker used to provide symptomatic relief
NB - Carmbimazole = main treatment for Graves however this takes a while to act hence pts will require symptomatic control before then (generally secondary care however can be initiated in primary care if propanolol doesnt successfully control sx)
hypothyroidism + goitre + anti-TPO = dx?
Hashimotos thyroiditis
hypothyroidism + goitre + anti-TPO = dx?
Hashimotos thyroiditis
also anti-thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies
What type of cancer is Hashimotos thyroiditis associated w/?
development MALTomas (likely related to increased risk of other AI conditions such as Coeliac)
Which antibodies are found in 90% of patients with Graves’ disease and can help distinguish from other forms of hyperthyroidism
TSH receptor stimulating antibodies
What are anti-centromere antibodies implicated in?
Cutaneous systemic sclerosis
What are anti-centromere antibodies implicated in?
Cutaneous systemic sclerosis
Hospital mx of hypoglycaemia?
Alert and concious? - Quick acting carb eg glucogel
Unconcious / unable to swallow? - SC / IM glucagon OR IV 20% glucose solution via large vein
Hospital mx of hypoglycaemia?
Alert and concious? - Quick acting carb eg glucogel
Unconcious / unable to swallow? - SC / IM glucagon OR IV 20% glucose solution via large vein
Pt w/ thyroid eye disease has changes in vision what should be done?
Urgent review by eye casualty
Commonly loss of colour vision in Graves has been associated w/ upcoming sudden vision loss
Pt w/ thyroid eye disease has changes in vision what should be done?
Urgent review by eye casualty
Commonly loss of colour vision in Graves has been associated w/ upcoming sudden vision loss
Most common cause of hypothyroidism?
AI thyroiditis (Hashimotos)
What drugs can cause hypercalcaemia mainly?
Thiazides
Ca-containing antacids
What drugs can cause hypercalcaemia mainly?
Thiazides
Ca-containing antacids
What should be done if a pt w/ T2DM develops CVD, are at high risk of CVD or chronic heart failure?
Add a SGLT-2 inhibitor eg empagliflozin
High dose dexamethasone suppression test:
- Cortisol (not suppressed), ACTH (suppressed)
- Cortisol (suppressed), ACTH (suppressed)
- Cortisol (not suppressed), ACTH (not suppressed)
What creps are found in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
Fine end-inspiratory creps
UMN v LMN signs?
UMN:
- No wasting / fasiculations
- Raised tone, reflexes (brisk), upgoing plantars
- Clonus
- Absent abdominal reflex
LMN:
- Wasting / fasiculations
- Reduced tone, reflexes (hypo), downgoing plantars
Spinothalamic v dorsal column pathways?
Spinothalamic = pain + temp - cross at the level
Dorsal = vibrational sense, proprioception and touch - cross in medulla
What level does spinal cord end?
L2
Stroke definition?
TIA?
Rapid onset focal neurological deficit lasting more than 24 hrs v less than 24 hrs
Vaguely describe anterior and posterior cerberal circulation:
Anterior consists of ACA and MCA arising from Internal carotid
Posterior consists of basilar and PCA arising from vertebral arteries
Signs of anterior circulation v posterior circulation?
Anterior:
- Hemiparesis (face, arm, leg)
- Aphasia
- Apraxia
- Neglect
Posterior:
- Diplopia
- Dysarthria
- Dizziness
- Dysphagia
- Crossed findings
Bells palsy v stroke?
LMN weakness hence forehead is not spared!!
Optic pathway and problems caused during it
- Singular eye blindness / englarged blindspot
- Homonymous Hemianopia
- Bitemporal Hemianopia
Where is the leison
- Singular eye blindness / englarged blindspot = Optic nerve
- Homonymous Hemianopia = Occipital lobe (before the optic chiasm)
- Bitemporal Hemianopia = Optic Chiasm
(focus on 1st a,c,f for finals)
Quadrantopias are switched - superior optic radiation gives you bottom corner, inferior optic radiation gives you top corner
Best antithrombotic for atherosclerotic strokes?
Clopidogrel
Best mx for cardioembolic stroke?
Apixaban
Unless metallic heart valve –> Warfarin
When there is cerebellar signs is the leison on the contralateral or ipsilateral side?
Ipsilateral
Cerebellar leison signs?
DANISH
Dysdiadokinesia
Ataxia (unsteadiness)
Nystagmus
Intention tremor (dysmetria)
Slurred / scanning speech
Hypotonia
contralateral hemiplegia + ipsilateral facial weakness - where is the leison?
Brainstem - whichever side has the facial weakness
contralateral hemiplegia + ipsilateral facial weakness - where is the leison?
Brainstem - whichever side has the facial weakness
What is Lateral medullary syndrome caused by?
Infarction of lateral medulla and inferior olivary nucleus - due to damage to vertebral artery or posterior inferior cerebellar artery
What is Horners syndrome?
Ptosis, Miosis and Anhydrosis (+ enopthalmos)
can be caused by brainstem strokes or dissection of carotids - presence of ataxia can help distinguish
GCS Scoring:
What do the following CSF results mean
What type of epilepsy is it?
What type of epilepsy is it?
What is the criteria for a total anterior circulation infarct?
Total anterior circulation infarcts - all 3 of the following:
- unilateral hemiparesis and/or hemisensory loss of the face, arm & leg
- homonymous hemianopia
- higher cognitive dysfunction e.g. dysphasia
NB partial = 2 of the criteria
What do lacunar infarcts present with? + what do they involve?
involves perforating arteries around the internal capsule, thalamus and basal ganglia
presents with 1 of the following:
1. unilateral weakness (and/or sensory deficit) of face and arm, arm and leg or all three.
2. pure sensory stroke.
3. ataxic hemiparesis
What Rankin and NIHSS scores do patients need to qualify for mechanical thrombectomy?
Rankin score of less than 3 and a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of more than 5
What Rankin and NIHSS scores do patients need to qualify for mechanical thrombectomy?
Rankin score of less than 3 and a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of more than 5
Haemorrhagic transformation of ischaemic stroke treated w Aspirin - wyd?
Stop any anti-coagulants + maintain BP (target 140)
Haemorrhagic transformation of ischaemic stroke treated w Aspirin - wyd?
Stop any anti-coagulants + maintain BP (target 140)
Which primary tumours are the most common cause of brain metastases?
Lung
Which primary tumours are the most common cause of brain metastases?
Lung
Localising features of seizures:
Floaters / flashes
What area of the brain is affected?
Occipital (visual)
Localising features of seizures:
May occur with or without impairment of consciousness or awareness
An aura occurs in most patients
- typically a rising epigastric sensation
- also psychic or experiential phenomena, such as déjà vu, jamais vu
- less commonly hallucinations (auditory/gustatory/olfactory)
Seizures typically last around one minute
- automatisms (e.g. lip smacking/grabbing/plucking) are common
Post ictal dysphagia
What area of the brain is affected?
Temporal
Localising features of seizures:
Head/leg movements, posturing, post-ictal weakness, Jacksonian march
What area of the brain is affected?
Frontal (motor)
Localising features of seizures:
Paraesthesia
What area of the brain is affected?
Parietal (sensory)
DDx? Papilloedema + 6th nerve palsy (headache + features of raised ICP)
Idiopathic intercranial HTN
Headaches w blurred vision in an obese young female - likely dx? mx?
Idiopathic intercranial HTN
Prescribe acetazolamide (diuretic) and advise weight loss - can also offer topiramate
Headaches w blurred vision in an obese young female - likely dx? mx?
Idiopathic intercranial HTN
Prescribe acetazolamide (diuretic) and advise weight loss - can also offer topiramate
Mx of acute MS relapse?
High dose steroids
Mx of acute MS relapse?
High dose steroids
How does acoustic neuroma / vestibular schwannoma present?
Vertigo, tinnitus and unilateral sensorineural hearing loss -> invasion of the trigeminal nerve can cause absent corneal reflex
How does acoustic neuroma / vestibular schwannoma present?
Vertigo, tinnitus and unilateral sensorineural hearing loss -> invasion of the trigeminal nerve can cause absent corneal reflex
Ix - MRI of cerebellopontine angle
Triad of Menieres disease?
tinnitus, vertigo and sensorineural hearing loss
Vertigo lasts hours at a time, disease has relapsing remitting patterns and fullness of ear present
Which nerve lesion can cause weakness of foot dorsiflexion and foot eversion? where does injury tend to occur?
Common peroneal nerve - injury often occurs at neck of fibula
Which nerve lesion can cause weakness of foot dorsiflexion and foot eversion? where does injury tend to occur?
Common peroneal nerve - injury often occurs at neck of fibula
Mid-humeral shaft fracture - what nerve is likely to be damaged and what sign can be seen?
Radial nerve - wrist drop
Management of myasthenic crisis? - intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma electrophoresis
- intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma electrophoresis
Visual field defects, what commonly causes these:
- upper quadrant defect > lower quadrant defect = inferior chiasmal compression, commonly a pituitary tumour
- lower quadrant defect > upper quadrant defect = superior chiasmal compression, commonly a craniopharyngioma
upper quadrant defect > lower quadrant defect = inferior chiasmal compression, commonly a pituitary tumour
lower quadrant defect > upper quadrant defect = superior chiasmal compression, commonly a craniopharyngioma
What is neuropathic pain + examples?
Neuropathic pain may be defined as pain which arises following damage or disruption of the nervous system.
Examples include:
- diabetic neuropathy
- post-herpetic neuralgia
- trigeminal neuralgia
- prolapsed intervertebral disc
What is neuropathic pain + examples?
Neuropathic pain may be defined as pain which arises following damage or disruption of the nervous system.
Examples include:
- diabetic neuropathy
- post-herpetic neuralgia
- trigeminal neuralgia
- prolapsed intervertebral disc
Mx of neuropathic pain?
first-line treatment: amitriptyline, duloxetine, gabapentin or pregabalin
if the first-line drug treatment does not work try one of the other 3 drugs
Tramadol - immediate rescue therapy
Topical capsaicin - localised pain
What is a high-stepping gait? when is it found?
A high-stepping gait develops to compensate for foot drop.
- If found unilaterally then a common peroneal nerve lesion should be suspected.
- Bilateral foot drop is more likely to be due to peripheral neuropathy.
What is a high-stepping gait? when is it found?
A high-stepping gait develops to compensate for foot drop.
- If found unilaterally then a common peroneal nerve lesion should be suspected.
- Bilateral foot drop is more likely to be due to peripheral neuropathy.
Is Bells palsy UMN or LMN?
LMN - forehead isnt spared
Gold standard imaging for degenerative cervical myelopathy?
MRI C-Spine
How to distinguish between degenerative cervical myelopathy and carpal tunnel?
+Hoffmans sign - flicking middle finger gets the thumb and index finger to go closer
Homonymous quadrantanopias - which lobe is the leison in?
PITS (Parietal-Inferior, Temporal-Superior)
What is autonomic dysreflexia and who is at risk?
This clinical syndrome occurs in patients who have had a spinal cord injury at, or above T6 spinal level.
Briefly, afferent signals, most commonly triggered by faecal impaction or urinary retention (but many other triggers have been reported) cause a sympathetic spinal reflex via thoracolumbar outflow.
The usual, centrally mediated, parasympathetic response however is prevented by the cord lesion.
The result is an unbalanced physiological response, characterised by extreme hypertension, flushing and sweating above the level of the cord lesion, agitation, and in untreated cases severe consequences of extreme hypertension have been reported, e.g. haemorrhagic stroke.
What is autonomic dysreflexia and who is at risk?
This clinical syndrome occurs in patients who have had a spinal cord injury at, or above T6 spinal level.
Briefly, afferent signals, most commonly triggered by faecal impaction or urinary retention (but many other triggers have been reported) cause a sympathetic spinal reflex via thoracolumbar outflow.
The usual, centrally mediated, parasympathetic response however is prevented by the cord lesion.
The result is an unbalanced physiological response, characterised by extreme hypertension, flushing and sweating above the level of the cord lesion, agitation, and in untreated cases severe consequences of extreme hypertension have been reported, e.g. haemorrhagic stroke.
What is found in CSF of MS patients?
Oligoclonal bands
How can aphasia be categorised?
When should trigeminal neuralgia be referred to secondary care?
Sensory changes
Deafness or other ear problems
History of skin or oral lesions that could spread perineurally
Pain only in the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve (eye socket, forehead, and nose), or bilaterally
Optic neuritis
A family history of multiple sclerosis
Age of onset before 40 years
Mx of trigeminal neuralgia?
Carbamazepine - 1st line
Epilepsy mx - why do you need to be careful of combining Lamotrigine and Sodium Valproate?
Risk of skin reaction - SJS
Nerve root for ankle reflex?
S1-S2
Nerve root for knee reflex?
L3-L4
Nerve root for bicep reflex?
C5-C6
Nerve root for tricep reflex?
C7-C8
Nerve root for brachioradialis reflex?
C5-C6
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome tetrad?
Hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, autonomic instability, altered mental status
Most common manifestation of neurological sarcoidosis?
Facial nerve palsy
Absence of ear discharge + discrete lesion on palpation excludes other causes of facial nerve palsy
Unilateral facial nerve palsy + clear nasal discharge + recent head injury = ddx?
Basal skull fracture eg Petrous temporal fracture
Histological differences between Crohns and UC?
UC:
- Inflammation stops at submucosa
- Crypt abscesses
Crohns:
- Skip leisons
- Inflammation across all layers
- Goblet cells + granulomas
Mx of hemochromatosis?
1st line = Venesection - make sure transferrin saturation is below 50% and serum ferritin below 50ug/l
2nd line = Iron chelation therapies eg. desferrioxamine or deferasirox
Mx of hemochromatosis?
1st line = Venesection - make sure transferrin saturation is below 50% and serum ferritin below 50ug/l
2nd line = Iron chelation therapies eg. desferrioxamine or deferasirox
Prevention of variceal bleeds mx?
Propanolol
Endoscopic band ligation > Endoscopic sclerotherapy - offered in medium to large varicies (2wly until all are eradicated)
TIPSS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemoc shunt) useful if other mx doesnt work
What vaccine should be offered to people with coeliac disease and why?
Pneumococcal every 5 years due to functional hyposplenism
What vaccine should be offered to people with coeliac disease and why?
Pneumococcal every 5 years due to functional hyposplenism
Which antibodies are most commonly associated w PBC?
Primary biliary cholangitis - the M rule
- IgM
- anti-Mitochondrial antibodies, M2 subtype
- Middle aged females
Ascites what is the likely causes based on SAAG >11g/l
SAAG >11g/L
Lynch syndrome (HNPCC) - what cancers is it most associated with?
Proximal colorectal cancer - main
Endometrial - 2nd most
Mx of liver abscesses?
Management:
- Drainage (typically percutaneous) and antibiotics
- Amoxicillin + ciprofloxacin + metronidazole
- If penicillin allergic: ciprofloxacin + clindamycin
In pts where there is suspicion of Upper GI bleed what is required to be done in 1st 24hrs?
Any patient with a suspected upper GI bleed requires endoscopy within 24 hours of admission unless they score less than 1 on the Glasgow-Blatchford score
What are the early signs of Haemochromatosis?
fatigue, erectile dysfunction and arthralgia