Gastro Flashcards
A 62 year old man with hx of chronic alcohol abuse presents with 2 day hx of deteriorating confusion.
On examination he is drowsy, has a temp of 39, pulse of 110, and small amount of ascites. Examination of cns reveals left sided hemiparesis with up going left plantar response. What is likely diagnosis?
Cerebral abscess
What is the most common cause of severe viral gastroenteritis worldwide?
Rotavirus
How does rotavirus infection spread?
Faeco oral route
In which patients is rotavirus most common?
Children 6m to 6y
How does rotavirus lead to diarrhoea and vomiting?
RNA virus replicates in intestinal mucosal cells
Damages transport mechanisms leading to salt and water depletion
How is a diagnosis of rotavirus made?
Clinical features
Stool culture - virus
PCR
What is treatment for rotavirus?
Rehydration
Correction of electrolyte imbalances
What is jaundice? When is it clinically detectable?
Yellow discolouration of sclera, skin and mucous membranes as a result of accumulation of bile pigments (bilirubin)
Clinically detectable at >50micromol/L
What HPC questions are important in a patient with jaundice? And what differentials do these questions highlight?
Abdo pain: gallstones, cholangitis, pancreatic Ca
Colour of urine/stool – conjugated bilirubin
Pruritis – cholestasis
Fever, rigors – cholangitis
Alcohol intake - cirrhosis
Blood transfusions - haemolytic transfusion reaction
Recent travel - hepatitis
Drug history including IVDU - hepatitis
What is courvoisiers law?
In presence of jaundice, enlarged gallbladder is unlikely to be due to gallstones/chronic cholecystitis
What is Murphys sign?
Tenderness elicited on palpation at the midpoint of the right subcostal margin on inspiration
What signs might you look for in a patient with jaundice on examination?
General inspection – ascites, widespread jaundice
Hands – palmar erythema, Duputryen’s, clubbing, asterixis, leukonychia
Sclera - icterus
Mouth - fetor hepaticus
LN in neck
Upper chest – spider naevi, gynaecomastia, ecchymosis
Abdomen – hepatosplenomegaly, ascites, caput medusae
Why do you get palmar erythema in cirrhosis?
Impaired breakdown of sex hormones
What is Charcots triad?
RUQ pain
Jaundice
Fever
Ascending cholangitis
How is jaundice classified? Give examples of each
Pre-hepatic: haemolysis
Intra-hepatic: Viral hepatitis, Cirrhosis, Alcoholic hepatitis, Drugs
Post-hepatic: Obstruction, Cholangitis
What are differences between unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin?
Conjugated: Converted to urobilinogen and excreted giving stool its dark colour, Hyperbilirubinaemia
Unconjugated: Not water soluble, Does not pass into urine as bound to albumin, Mild jaundice as liver usually handles increased bilirubin
Which enzyme conjugates bilirubin in the liver? What is it conjugated with?
Glucuronyltransferase
Conjugates with glucuronic acid
How does haem get metabolised to bilirubin?
Haem oxygenase converts haem to biliverdin
Biliverdin reductase converts to bilirubin
What are the main bilirubin products found in the urine and faeces?
Breakdown products of urobilinogen
Urine: urobilin
Faeces: stercobilin
What differences in LFTs would you see in intra or extra hepatic jaundice?
Intrahepatic: Transaminases very high : Alk Phos high
Extrahepatic: Transaminases high : Alk Phos very high
What investigations would you do for a patient who is jaundice?
Bedside: Urine
Bloods: FBC, LFTs, U+Es, Clotting (PT/INR)
Imaging: USS abdomen – identify obstruction
Special tests: Serum autoimmune antibody tests (ANA, ASMA, anti-smooth muscle, liver/kidney microsomal antibodies), Serum viral markers (hep A, B, C)
What is the management for alcoholic hepatitis?
Supportive: Adequate nutritional intake – may require NG
Corticosteroids: Evidence to suggest reduces inflammatory process
What are some causes of hepatitis?
Toxic damage Drugs Poisons/chemical Alcohol Infections Viral Bacterial Fungal Protozoa Immunological damage Autoimmune
What are differences between acute and chronic viral hepatitis?
Acute (<6months): Fever / nausea / malaise / myalgia, Hepatomegaly, Pain, Jaundice
Chronic (>6 months): May be asymptomatic, Symptoms associated with cirrhosis
What is Gardners syndrome?
Hereditary dominant condition Multiple osteomas - skull bones Cutaneous soft tissue tumours Polyposis coli Thyroid tumours Hypertrophy of pigment layer of retina Liver tumours
What is the management of acute pancreatitis?
IV fluids Sliding scale insulin Nasogastric suction Antibiotics Analgesia
What is the typical endoscopic appearance of a GIST?
Discrete
Well defined single lesion
Normal mucosa covering surface
What is the Glasgow score for pancreatitis? PANCREAS
P Arterial O2: <8 scores 1
A ge: > 55 scores 1
N eutrophils/ White cell count: >15 scores 1
C Serum calcium: <2 scores 1
R renal function, Serum urea: >16 scores 1
E nzymes: LDH > 600 or AST/ALT >200 scores 1
A Serum albumin: <32 scores 1
S ugar, Blood glucose: >10 scores 1
What is abetalipoproteinanemia?
Bassen kornzweig syndrome
Problems with normal absorption of fat and fat soluble vitamins
Mutation in microsomal triglyceride transfer protein resulting in deficiency of apo B48 and B100
Failure to thrive, diarrhoea, acanthocytosis, steatorrhoea
What is blind loop syndrome?
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome
Derangement to normal physiological processes of digestion and absorption - impaired micelle formation
Vit B12 deficiency/ADEK, fat malabsorption, steatorrhoea, intestinal wall injury
What type of virus is rotavirus?
Double stranded RNA
Which is the most common virus responsible for causing diarrhoea worldwide?
Rotavirus
Which virus can follow ingestion of dust containing faecal material?
Hepatitis A
A 19 year old man is being investigated for suspected ileal crohns. What imaging should be done?
MR enterography
A 64 year old woman with painless jaundice is being investigated for suspected carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. What imaging should be performed?
CT scan with contrast - determine if resectable or if any mets
What is the most common gastrointestinal symptom of systemic sclerosis?
Progressive dysphagia
Why do patients with systemic sclerosis get progressive dysphagia?
Initially decrease in incidence and amplitude of contractions of lower oesophagus and incomplete relaxation of lower oesophageal sphincter
Resting tone of sphincter is reduced allowing reflux -> oesophagitis, shortening of oesophagus, stricture formation
A 54 year old woman was referred for abnormal LFTs. She had symptoms of fatigue and itching for 3 months. She drank 5 units of alcohol a week and did not use recreational drugs. She had no significant medical history. Her BMI is 24. She had hepatomegaly but was not jaundiced. USS liver was normal. Investigations show: albumin 38, ALT 40, ALP 286, bilirubin 27. What would be the most likely diagnosis?
Primary biliary cirrhosis
What is the pathology underlying primary biliary cirrhosis?
Autoimmune condition
T cell mediated destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts due to breakdown of immune tolerance to mitochondrial antigens accompanied by ductopenia
Antimitochondrial antibodies in 95%
Why does a normal USS liver make primary sclerosing cholangitis less likely than primary biliary cirrhosis?
PSC usually evidence of strictures or dilatation on abdo USS
What is transaminitis and when is it common?
Raised ALT and AST
Autoimmune hepatitis/other causes of hepatitis
If there is a markedly raised ALP but only a small raise in ALT, what does this suggest?
Cholestatic picture
What is the classic triad of mesenteric ischaemia?
Gastrointestinal emptying
Abdominal pain
Underlying cardiac disease
What symptoms of mesenteric ischaemia represent advanced ischaemia?
Nausea Vomiting Abdominal distension Ileus Frank peritonitis Gross or occult blood per rectum Shock
What are risk factors for mesenteric ischaemia?
Congestive heart failure Cardiac arrhythmias particularly AF Recent MI Atherosclerosis Underlying hypercoagulable state Hypovolaemia
A 65 year old male presents with abdominal pain. He gives a past history of stroke and MI. On examination there is distension of the abdomen and the stools were maroon coloured. Lactate is 5mmol/L. What is the likely diagnosis ?
Acute mesenteric ischaemia
What is the most common cause of unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia?
Gilbert’s syndrome
What might precipitate Gilbert syndrome?
Dehydration
Fasting
Menstrual periods
Stress - illness or exercise
What are characteristics of chronic pancreatitis?
Chronic epigastric pain Bloating Steatorrhoea Loss of weight Diabetes
What are causes of chronic pancreatitis?
Alcohol
Duct obstruction - gallstones
Pancreatic cancer
Which GI cancer does coeliac disease increase the risk of?
Intestinal lymphoma
How does chlorpromazine cause acute cholestasis?
Interferes with hepatocyte secretion of bile
How do aflatoxins and mycotoxins lead to hepatocellular carcinoma?
Toxins induce a specific mutation in the tumour suppressor gene p53 leading to tumourigenesis
What is the Rockall scoring system used for?
Identify patients at risk of adverse outcome following acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding
What are the clinical features used to calculate a Rockall score?
Age: 60-79 score 1, 80 an above score 2
Shock: pulse over 100/systolic over 100 score 1, systolic less than 100 score 2
Co-morbidities: CHF, IHD score 2, Renal failure, liver failure, metastatic cancer score 3
Diagnosis: Mallory Weiss score 0, all other score 1, GI malignancy score 2
Evidence of bleeding: score 2
Score less than 3 carries good prognosis
Total score more than 8 carries high risk of mortality
What is a Glasgow-Blatchford bleeding score used for?
Stratifies upper GI bleeding patients who are “low-risk” and candidates for outpatient management
What are the clinical features used to calculate a Blatchford bleeding score?
Blood urea raised: up to 6 points Haemoglobin low: up to 6 points Systolic blood pressure: up to 3 points Pulse >100 = 1 point Presentation with melaena = 1 point presentation with syncope = 2 point Hepatic disease = 2 point Cardiac failure =2 point Total score 6 or more: over 50% chance of needing an intervention
What is the best single screening test for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
Fasting serum gastrin
What gastric pH is highly suggestive of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
Less than 2.0
What is a secretin stimulation test and how is used to diagnose Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
2-U/kg bolus of secretin is administered intravenously after an overnight fast, and serum levels of gastrin are determined at 0, 2, 5, 10, and 15 minutes. An increase in serum gastrin of greater than 200 pg/mL is diagnostic
What are the antibiotics of choice to treat antibiotic associated colitis?
Oral vancomycin or metronidazole
What are the normal and deficient genes in alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency? Which are the least and most severe genotypes?
M is normal gene S: associated with 60% production Z: 15% production PiMM: 100% (normal) PiMS: 80% of normal serum level of A1AT PiSS: 60% of normal serum level of A1AT PiMZ: 60% of normal serum level of A1AT PiSZ: 40% of normal serum level of A1AT PiZZ: 10-15% (severe alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency)
What are the intestinal features of Crohn’s disease?
Bowel frequency
Diarrhoea
Apthous ulcers
Perianal fistulae
What are the extra intestinal features of Crohn’s disease?
Spondyloarthropathy
Uveitis
Episcleritis
How is a diagnosis of acute hepatitis B made?
Presence of:
Hepatitis B surface antigen- HBsAg
IgM antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen- IgM anti-HBc
How is a diagnosis of acute hepatitis A made?
Positive IgM antibodies to hep A virus- IgM anti-HAV
What does the presence of IgG anti-HAV antibody in a patient with acute hepatitis suggest?
Illness is not caused by hep A
How is a diagnosis of acute hep C made?
Anti-HCV antibody
HCV RNA
How is a diagnosis of acute hep E made?
Pronounced elevation of Alk phos
Presence of serum IgM anti-HEV
What is Weil’s disease?
Severe form of Leptospirosis
Headaches, muscle pains, fevers, bleeding from lungs, meningitis, jaundice, kidney failure, bleeding
How is leptospirosis infection spread?
Who is particularly at risk?
Direct contact with infected soil, water or urine
Organism enters through skin abrasions/cuts
Sewage workers
In what proportion of patients admitted with cirrhotic ascites does spontaenous bacterial peritonitis occur?
15%
With regard to differentiation of transudate from exudate, what is the preferred means for characterizing ascites?
Serum-ascitic albumin gradient (SAAG)
Transudative ascites occurs when a patient’s SAAG level is greater than or equal to 1.1 g/dL
What are causes of transudative ascites?
Hepatic cirrhosis Alcoholic hepatitis Heart failure Fulminant hepatic failure Portal vein thrombosis
What are causes of exudative ascites?
Peritoneal carcinomatosis Inflammation of the pancreas or biliary system Nephrotic syndrome Peritonitis Ischemic or obstructed bowel
What organisms commonly cause spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?
Escherichia coli
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Enterococcal species
Streptococcus pneumoniae
What are indications for a diagnostic paracentesis?
New-onset ascites: Fluid evaluation helps to determine etiology, differentiate transudate versus exudate, detect presence of cancerous cells
Suspected spontaneous or secondary bacterial peritonitis
What are indications for a therapeutic paracentesis?
Respiratory compromise secondary to ascites
Abdominal pain or pressure secondary to ascites (including abdominal compartment syndrome)
What are contraindications for paracentesis?
An acute abdomen that requires surgery is an absolute contraindication
Severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <20) and coagulopathy (INR >2.0) are relative contraindications Patients with an INR greater than 2.0 should receive fresh frozen plasma (FFP) prior to procedure
Patients with a platelet count lower than 20 should receive an infusion of platelets before the procedure
Pregnancy
Distended urinary bladder
Abdominal wall cellulitis
Distended bowel
Intra-abdominal adhesions
What should fluid from a diagnostic paracentesis be tested for?
Cell count Culture Protein Glucose LDH CEA Alk phos
What is CEA?
Carcinoembryonic antigen
Glycoprotein shed from the surface of malignant cells
What are the grades of hepatic encephalopathy?
Grade 1: drowsy but coherent, mood change
Grade 2: drowsy, confused at times, inappropriate behaviour
Grade 3: very drowsy and stuporous but rousable
Grade 4: comatose, barely rousable
What treatment should be given for suspected spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?
Broad spec Abx for enteric organisms and gram positive cocci e.g. Cefotaxime
How does Terlipressin control variceal bleeding?
Causes splanchnic vasoconstriction
Why is a low protein diet recommended for patients with chronic liver disease?
Protein breakdown in the bowel results in ammonia production which is implicated in precipitation of hepatic encephalopathy
A 50 year old lady is referred for a barium swallow after a 6 month Hx chest pain associated with dysphagia. The scan shows a corkscrew pattern, what is the likely diagnosis?
Diffuse oesophageal spasm
What is the treatment for diffuse oesophageal spasm?
Calcium channel blockers
A 50 year old alcoholic man with a 2 year history of dyspepsia is found by his GP to be anaemic. An endoscopy shows part of the stomach through the hiatus alongside the oesophagus with the sphincter below the diaphragm. What is the likely diagnosis?
Para oesophageal hiatus hernia
A 70 year old Iranian man presents with progressive dysphagia and weight loss. An endoscopy reveals a 40% circumferential tumour in the proximal third of the oesophagus. What is the likely diagnosis?
Squamous cell carcinoma
A 30 year old man presents to ED after collapsing. He initially complained of severe chest pain following 2 episodes of forceful vomiting. A chest X-ray shows air in the mediastinum and neck and a pleural effusion. What is the likely diagnosis?
Oesophageal perforation - Boerhaaves syndrome
What can be used to confirm the diagnosis of oesophageal perforation?
Gastrograffin swallow
A 28 year old lady is referred for a barium swallow after a long Hx of dysphagia for both solids and liquids associated with regurgitation. The scan shows tapering of the lower end of the oesophagus. What is the likely diagnosis?
Achalasia
What is the treatment for achalasia?
Endoscopic pneumatic dilatation of the oesophagus
Endoscopic injection of Botox
Surgical division of the sphincter
What are the manning criteria for diagnosis of IBS?
Abdominal distension Pain relief with bowel action More frequent stools with onset of pain Looser stools with onset of pain Passage of mucus Sensation of incomplete evacuation
Which drugs can cause acute pancreatitis?
Steroids Oestrogens Thiazides Valproate Azathioprine Cisplatin Vinca alkaloids
What are the 2 most common causes of acute pancreatitis?
Gallstones and alcohol
What is the initial management for a patient with acute pancreatitis?
Analgesia NBM IVI NG tube Urinary catheter Score for severity using Glasgow score If severe: HDU and pancreatic specialist
What is the safest management for patients with acute mesenteric ischaemia?
Laparotomy
Excision of non viable bowel
Defunction, to return another day
What is the management for anal fissure?
Topical GTN
Sphincterectomy
What acute medical events may precipitate colonic pseudo-obstruction?
Pneumonia
Myocardial infarction
Hypoxia
How can you exclude mechanical large bowel obstruction?
Rectal examination
Rigid sigmoidoscopy
Plain X-ray
CT scan
How do you manage colonic pseudo obstruction?
IVI Correct electrolyte abnormalities Avoid opioid analgesia Nasogastric aspiration Rectal tube Enema Ocreotide infusion IV neostigmine Colonoscopic decompression Surgery
How might you drain a pelvic abscess?
Spontaneous
Surgically per rectum
Radiologically guided
In what time frame should a post operative ileus resolve?
3-4 days
Small bowel mobility usually in 24
Gastric motility in 3-4 days
What is required if a post operative ileus has not resolved after 4 days?
Nasogastric aspiration - prevent gastric dilatation and risk of aspiration pneumonitis
IVI
Correct electrolytes
Minimal oral fluids
An 82 year old man with a long Hx of dementia and advanced oesophageal carcinoma is admitted from a nursing home as an emergency with sudden onset total dysphagia. He is unable to tolerate solids or liquids which he immediately regurgitates. He had been stented 2 weeks previously and had initially had excellent symptomatic relief. Examination is unremarkable. What is the likely diagnosis?
Bolus obstruction due to inadvertent ingestion of a large piece of food
Stent displacement other option but tends to occur early with metal stents before they are fully deployed
A 19 year old student experiences worsening dysphagia for 3 months. She has lost a stone in weight and has had 2 courses of antibiotics for persistent chest infection. What is the likely diagnosis?
Achalasia with aspiration pneumonias
A 55 year old vagrant man has a long history of recurrent epigastric pain. He presents with weight loss and severe vomiting. On admission he is noted to be dehydrated and abdominal examination demonstrates succussion splash. What is the likely diagnosis?
Pyloric stenosis secondary to long history of peptic ulceration which has been left untreated, healing with scarring
What is gallstone ileus?
Inflamed gallbladder adheres to small bowel and with time the gallstone erodes through and migrates distally, usually occluding the distal ileum
How do you manage gallstone ileus?
Laparotomy
Stone extraction through proximal enterotomy
Why do patients with pancreatitis sit forward?
Allows stomach and small bowel to fall away from the pancreas into the retroperitoneum
An 85 year old lady who previously declined a cholecystectomy is admitted as an emergency with diffuse abdominal pain and vomiting. She has a tachycardia and is hypotensive 80/50. On examination her abdomen is rigid. What is the likely diagnosis? What needs to be done?
Biliary peritonitis
Laparotomy with extensive washout of the peritoneal cavity
What is the dukes grading system for colonic carcinoma?
A: confined to bowel wall B: reaches serosa C1: local nodes involved C2: apical nodes involved D: distant metastasis
What is the treatment for anal fissure?
GTN cream
What is the treatment for sigmoid volvulus?
Urgent endoscopic decompression
Sigmoid colectomy
Percutaneous endoscopic colostomy
What imaging/special test should be done when achalasia is suspected?
Oesophageal manometry
What does oesophageal manometry show in achalasia?
Absence of peristaltic waves
High resting intra oesophageal pressure
Impaired relaxation of lower oesophageal sphincter
High resting lower oesophageal sphincter pressure
A 62 year old woman undergoes OGD for dysphagia and is seen to have a suspicious looking lesion in the distal oesophagus. A biopsy is taken which confirms adenocarcinoma. What is the next step?
CT scan to look for distant mets
A 44 year old woman has been taking high dose proton pump inhibitor for 2 years for reflux oesophagitis but barely has control of her symptoms. An OGD has confirmed the presence of reflux oesophagitis. She is keen on anti reflux surgery. What should be done next?
24 hour pH studies provide a modified DeMeester score and manometry to exclude motility disorder
What is a DeMeester score?
Measure of acidity and a surrogate of severity of GORD Supine reflux Upright reflux Total reflux Number of episodes Number of episodes longer than 5 mins Longest episode
A 55 year old smoker has been diagnosed with oesophageal carcinoma. He is otherwise fit and well. A CT scan of the chest and abdomen is reported as normal. What is the next step?
Endoluminal ultrasound for further staging to look for signs of irreducibility such as invasion into the pericardium or pleura
Why does bleeding happen in diverticular disease?
Perforating vessels are eroded
What is an indication for colectomy in diverticular disease?
Large volume bleed or recurrent bleeds
In a case of angiodysplasia with ongoing bleeding and visualisation on imaging is poor, what other method can be used to image?
Red cell scan or angiography
A 37 year old farmer presents with a gradual onset of malaise, headaches, myalgia and night sweats. He has lymphadenopathy and hepatomegaly. His chest xray is normal. His 2-mercaptoethanol test is positive. What does he have?
Brucellosis
What causes Brucellosis?
Ingestion of unpasteurized milk or undercooked meat from infected animals, or close contact with their secretions
What is the best test for Brucellosis?
2-mercaptoethanol test
Tube agglutination which tests for anti-O-polysaccharide antibody
Titre of 1:160 is diagnostic
What type of bug is Brucella?
Gram negative coccobacillus
What are the symptoms/features of Brucellosis?
Malaise Headache Night sweats Lymphadenopathy Hepatosplenomegaly Orchitits Osteomyelitis Meningoencephalitis Endocarditis
What is the treatment for Brucellosis?
6 weeks of combined doxycycline and rifampicin
When is the optimal time to assess paracetamol level after an overdose with respect to determining need for n-acetylcysteine?
4 hours after
If a very significant overdose is suspected or the patient presents more than 4 hours after, treatment should be started expectantly
How is n-acetylcysteine treatment administered?
Loading dose over 1 hour
Infusions at 4 hours and 16 hours
What should be done for a patient with an allergic reaction to n-acetylcysteine who has taken a paracetamol overdose?
Slow the infusion rate
Give IV corticosteroids and/or antihistamines
If still not tolerating - oral methionine
What is pseudoxanthoma elasticum? How does it present?
Abnormalities in collagen and elastic tissue affecting skin, eye and blood vessels
GI bleeding
Premature atherosclerosis -CAD
Intermitttent claudication
Yellow papular skin lesions, lax skin
Peau d’orange retina, angioid streaks radiate from optic nerve
An 11 year old boy presents to ED with massive haematemesis. He is found to be very tall and thin and has loose lax and wrinkled skin. What is the diagnosis?
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum
What are complications of a duodenal ulcer if left untreated?
Perforation
Gastric outlet obstruction
Haemorrhage
What are clinical signs of gastric carcinoma?
Epigastric mass
Jaundice
Ascites
Enlarged supraclavicular (virchows) node, Troisiers sign
A 30 year old man is being investigated after being admitted for haematemesis. An OGD reveals multiple large deep peptic ulcers, he has a ten month history of chronic diarrhoea and is found to have a high serum gastrin level. What is the diagnosis?
Zollinger Ellison syndrome
What are risk factors for oesophageal cancer?
Smoking Alcohol GORD Barrett's oesophagus Achalasia Plummer-Vinson syndrome Diets rich in nitrosamines Coeliac disease Scleroderma
How is diagnosis of oesophageal cancer made?
Upper GI endoscopy first line
Staging initially CT chest, abdomen and pelvis
If overt metastatic disease, further complex imaging unnecessary
If CT does not show metastatic disease, then local stage assessed by endoscopic ultrasound
Staging laparoscopy is performed to detect occult peritoneal disease PET CT is performed in those with negative laparoscopy
How is oesophageal cancer managed?
Operable disease - surgical resection, Ivor- Lewis oesophagectomy or transhiatal resection (for distal lesions), a left thoraco-abdominal resection (difficult access due to thoracic aorta) and a total oesophagectomy (McKeown) with a cervical oesophagogastric anastomosis
In addition to surgical resection many patients will be treated with adjuvant chemotherapy
What is an Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy?
Mobilisation of the stomach and division of the oesophageal hiatus
Abdomen is closed and a right sided thoracotomy performed
Stomach is brought into the chest and the oesophagus mobilised further
An intrathoracic oesophagogastric anastomosis is constructed
A 65-year-old male undergoes a Hartmann’s procedure for a sigmoid cancer. On day 2 post-op, nurses are concerned as his colostomy has not passed any wind or stool yet and he is complaining of increasing bloatedness. You review the patient and witness him vomit profusely. How would you manage this?
Conservative with nasogastric tube insertion for stomach decompression for symptom control and placing the patient nil by mouth to allow bowel rest
What is the management of mesenteric ischaemia?
Initial management includes analgesia, fluids and keeping the patient nil by mouth
Definitive treatment includes thrombolytic therapy, angioplasty or surgery
What are predisposing factors for mesenteric ischaemia?
Increasing age
Atrial fibrillation
Other causes of emboli: endocarditis
Cardiovascular disease risk factors: smoking, hypertension, diabetes
Cocaine: ischaemic colitis is sometimes seen in young patients following cocaine use
What are features of small and large bowel which can help you detect small and large bowel obstruction on X-ray?
Small bowel: Maximum normal diameter = 35 mm, Valvulae conniventes extend all the way across
Large bowel: Maximum normal diameter = 55 mm, Haustra extend about a third of the way across
What is the management of ascending cholangitis?
Intravenous antibiotics
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) after 24-48 hours to relieve any obstruction
In colorectal cancer patients who’s tumours lie below the peritoneal reflection, what type of imaging should be done to evaluate staging?
MRI
What are some factors which will affect the healing of a colorectal anastamosis?
Adequate blood supply
Mucosal apposition
No tissue tension
Which chemotherapy agents are used as adjuncts in colorectal cancer?
5FU
Oxaliplatin
What are surgical options for rectal cancer?
Anterior resection and total mesorectal excision
Abdomino perineal excision of rectum (APER) - if sphincter involved or very low tumour
Why is neoadjuvant radiotherapy an option for rectal cancer when it isn’t for colorectal?
Rectum is an extraperitoneal structure
What is a Hartmans procedure?
Resection of sigmoid colon
End colostomy
What are risk factors for anal fissures?
Constipation
Inflammatory bowel disease
Sexually transmitted infections - HIV, syphilis, herpes
What are management steps for acute and chronic anal fissures?
Dietary advice: high fibre diet, high fluid intake
Bulk forming laxatives
Lubricants such as petroleum jelly before defecation
Topical anaesthetics
If chronic (over 6 weeks)
Topical GTN
If after 8 weeks not effective, refer for surgery or Botox
What is the NHS colorectal cancer screening program?
Screening every 2 years to people aged 60-74 years in England
Patients over 74 may request screening
Eligible patients are sent faecal occult blood tests through the post
Patients with abnormal results are offered colonoscopy
As part of the colorectal cancer screening service, what proportion of patients who had positive faecal occult blood tests and therefore were offered colonoscopy will actually turn out to have cancer?
4/10 will have polyps which may be removed due to premalignant potential
1/10 will be found to have cancer
What is courvoisiers law?
In the presence of a palpably enlarged gallbladder which is nontender and accompanied by painless jaundice, the cause is unlikely to be gallstones
What is the minimum number of biopsies that should be obtained on OGD when oesophageal cancer is suspected?
8
In the presence of cirrhosis, what size of liver lesion is highly suggestive of malignancy? What test can be done to back this up?
Over 2cm
Alpha foetoprotein - level over 400
What organism causes amoebic liver abscess?
Entamoeba histolytica
How do you treat an amoebic liver abscess?
Metronidazole
A 42 year old lady presents with right upper quadrant pain and a sensation of abdominal fullness. An ultrasound scan demonstrates a 6.5cm hyperechoic lesion in the right lobe of the liver. Serum AFP is normal. What is it?
Haemangioma
In which patients are you most likely to see a liver cell adenoma?
Women in their 3rd to 5th decade
On oral contraceptives
What is a major predisposing factor for liver abscess?
Biliary sepsis
What are common symptoms of liver abscess?
Fever
Right upper quadrant pain
Jaundice
What causes hyatid liver cysts?
Echinococcus infection
What are some causes of small bowel obstruction?
Incarcerated hernia
Crohn’s disease
Internal malignancy
Adhesions
What are complications of small bowel obstruction?
Intestinal necrosis
Sepsis
Multi organ failure
How are flares of UC classified?
Mild: fewer than 4 stools/day with/without blood, no systemic disturbance, normal ESR and CRP
Moderate: 4-6 stools/day, minimal systemic disturbance
Severe: more than 6/day with blood, systemic disturbance - fever, tachy, abdo tenderness, distension, reduced bowel sounds, anaemia, Hypoalbuminaemia
A 15 year old boy is admitted with colicky abdo pain for 6 hrs. On examination he has a soft abdomen. He has brown spots around his mouth feet and hands. His mother underwent surgery for intussusception aged 12 and has similar skin lesions, what is the most likely underlying diagnosis?
Peutz jeghers syndrome
Pigmented skin lesions, hamartomatous polyps resulting in intussusception and an autosomal inheritance pattern
Which patients are identified as being malnourished?
BMI less than 18.5
Unintentional weight loss of over 10% in 3-6 months
BMI less than 20 and unintentional weight loss over 5% over 3-6 months
Which patients are identified as at risk of malnutrition?
Eaten little or nothing over 5 days, who are likely to eat little for a further 5 days
Poor absorptive capacity
High nutrient losses
High metabolism
What are the guidelines on identifying a patient suitable for parenteral nutrition?
Identity as malnourished or at risk
Identify unsafe/inadequate oral intake or non functional GI tract/perforation/inaccessible
A 65 year old man with a history of dyspepsia is found to have a gastric MALT lymphoma on biopsy. What treatment should be offered?
H pylori eradication
What blood test results would you expect in mesenteric ischaemia?
Elevated WBC associated with acidosis and raised lactate
What are the guidelines for 2 week wait referral for colorectal services?
Patients >= 40 years with unexplained weight loss and abdominal pain
Patients >= 50 years with unexplained rectal bleeding
Patients >= 60 years with iron deficiency anaemia or change in bowel habit
Tests show occult blood in their faeces
Consider if: rectal or abdominal mass, unexplained anal mass or anal ulceration, patients < 50 years with rectal bleeding and unexplained symptoms/findings: abdominal pain, change in bowel habit, weight loss, iron deficiency anaemia