Gastro - week 3 Flashcards

1
Q

what happens when swallowing is initiated

A

Upper oesophageal sphincter relaxes
Primary peristaltic wave triggered

Lower oesophageal sphincter relaxes as soon as swallowing is initiated

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2
Q

what kind of muscle does the oesophagus have

A

striated muscle

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3
Q

what are some signs of oesophageal disease

A
•	Common
o	Dysphagia
o	Odynophagia
o	Heartburn 
o	Acid regurgitation
o	Waterbrash
•	Less common
o	Chest pain
o	Food regurgitation
o	Food bolus obstruction
o	Globus (sensation that there is something at the 
        back of the throat)
o	Cough
o	Dysphonia
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4
Q

what are the symptoms of oesophageal cancer

A

Very few symptoms for oesophageal cancer until late state where patients have dysphagia for solids and then liquids at which point the tumour is quite advanced

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5
Q

describe dysphagia

A

• Alarm symptom for immediate evaluation

•	Classified as either
o	Oropharyngeal
	Neuromuscular 
	Skeletal muscular disorders
	Mechanical obstruction
	Miscellaneous 
•	Decreased saliva
•	Alzheimers	
•	depression
o	Oesophageal  (when the patient can swallow food into the oesophagus but then becomes stuck)
	Mechanical obstruction
	Motility disorders
	Miscellaneous
•	Diabetes
•	Alcoholism
•	GORD
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6
Q

what are clinical signs of oesophageal disease

A
  • Dental erosion in GORD
  • Weight loss
  • Anaemia
  • Lymphadenopathy
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7
Q

describe GORD

A
Reflux with transient lower oesohageal relaxations
o	More common
o	Daytime reflux
o	Small or no hiatus hernia (when the top of the stomach slides through the diaphragm)
o	Often no oesophagitis
•	Reflux with low lower oesophageal sphincter pressures
o	Less common (20%)
o	Nocturnal reflux
o	Often large HH
o	More severe oesophagitis
o	Barrett’s
•	Typical symptoms
o	Heartburn
o	Acid regurgitation
o	Water brash
o	Often meal related
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8
Q

what are the investigations for oesophageal disease

A
•	Endoscopy
•	Barium swallow
•	Oesophageal function tests (manometry, pH and impedence monitoring)
•	If suspicion of cancer
o	Urgent upper GI endoscopy
o	CT
o	CT-PET
o	Endoscopic ultrasound
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9
Q

describe barrett’s oesophagus

A
  • Specialised intestinal metaplasia in the lower oesophagus
  • Commonest in obese men >50
  • Often asymptomatic
  • Premalignant
  • Surveillance for patients and ablation to remove abnormal tissue if low grade dysplasia is found
  • Treat GORD with long term with PPI
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10
Q

what are some complications of GORD

A
  • Oesophagitis
  • Peptic stricture
  • Barrett’s oesophagus
  • Adenocarcinoma
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11
Q

what is the treatment for GORD

A
•	Lifestyle changes
o	Smoking
o	Alcohol
o	Diet
o	Weight reduction
•	Mechanical
o	Posture, clothing, elevate bed-head
•	Antacids
•	Acid suppression – PPI
•	Surgery
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12
Q

describe achalasia

A

• Failure of LOS relaxation
• Absence of peristalsis
• 1/100,000 incidence
• Degenerative lesion of oesophageal innervation
• Typically present in younger people with
dysphagia equal for liquids and solids
o Also often weight loss and chest pain
• Endoscopic appearances usually normal
• Can progress to oesophageal dilatation and respiratory complication (infection)
• Treatment
o Dilating and disrupting the LOS with endoscopic
dilatation
o botox is very effective but not long lasting
o surgical myotomy
o POEM – incision in the wall of the oesophagus to
cut the oesophageal sphincter

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13
Q

describe eosinophilic oesophagitis

A

• Commonly presents with food bolus obstruction, dysphagia
• Younger age, M>F, 50/100,000 incidence
• History of atopy (asthama, hayfever)
• Endoscopy – furrows, rings, strictures, exudates which are lumpy areas in the oesophagus
• Biopsy for diagnosis - >15 eosinophils / high power field - 3 from lower, 3 from mid
• Treatment
o Diet – elimination of egg, wheat, milk, nuts, soya, fish
o Drugs – PPI, topical steroids (main treatment)
o Dilatation for strictures

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14
Q

describe an oesophageal stricture

A

• Narrowing of gullet

• Benign
o GORD – 10%
o Barrett’s
o Extrinsic compression - masses in mediastinum or
lung
o Post-radiotherapy
o Anastomotic following surgery/oesophagectomy
o Rings and webs – often associated with acid reflux
o Accidental or suicidal ingestion of corrosives

• Malignant
o Oesophageal cancer

• Treatment
o PPI
o Dilatation of the narrowed oesophagus

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15
Q

describe oesophageal cancer

A
•	Adenocarcinoma
o	Lower third 
o	Younger
o	Reflux – barrett’s 
o	Obesity
o	More common
o	Increasing
•	Squamous cell
o	Mid, upper oesophagus
o	Older
o	Smoking
o	Alcohol
o	Less common
o	Declining

• Palliation aims for malignant strictures
o To relieve symptoms without necessarily altering the course of the disease by dilating the oesophagus to help the patient swallow and improve quality of life

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16
Q

what are some tips for diagnosing elderly patients

A

o Neurological – particularly if intermittent or long standing

o Oesophageal cancer - if new, progressive, with
regurgitation and weight loss
 Presents with progressive dysphagia for
solids and then liquids

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17
Q

what are some tips for diagnosing patients who arent elderly

A

o Dysmotility
 Achalasia
 Or secondary to acid reflux
 Dysphagia equal for liquids and solids

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18
Q

what is the likely dianosis for a young patient with food bolus obstruction

A

o Eosinophilic oesophagitis
• If hoarse voice think ENT causes
• If regurgitation of food from previous days think
pharyngeal pouch

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19
Q

describe the helicobacter breath test

A

• Drink C13 urea which would be split be helicobacter into ammonia and C13 CO2 which could be detected in the breath

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20
Q

what is the treatment for helicobacter

A
•	First line (90% efficacy)
o	Lansoprazole
o	Clarithromycin 
o	Metronidazole
o	All for one week
•	Second line
o	Lansoprazole
o	Clarithromycin
o	Amoxycillin
o	For one week
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21
Q

what is the qFIT test for

A

quantitative faecal immunochemical test

screening for colorectal cancer
• Detects hidden or “occult” blood in stool
• Uses antibodies for human haemoglobin

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22
Q

describe colonic polyps

A
  • Not all colonic polyps progress to adenocarcinoma
  • Adenomas have the highest progression potential to adenocarcinoma
  • Hyperplastic polyps don’t have malignant potential
  • A special type of hyperplastic polyp called serrated polyp has some malignant potential
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23
Q

describe the APC protein

A

The APC protein (tumour suppressor) is encoded by the APC gene, a negative regulator that controls beta-catenin concentrations and interacts with E-cadherin which are involved in cell adhesion. Deletion of this gene predisposes to cancer

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24
Q

what are alarm features of colorectal cancer

A
  • Weight loss
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Anaemia, thrombocytosis
  • Persistent diarrhoea
  • Frequent nocturnal symptoms
  • New onset over 50 years
  • FHx bowel cancer
  • PMHx IBD
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25
Q

what are risk factors for colorectal cancer

A
  • Diet high in red meats and processed meats
  • Cooking meats at very high temperatures
  • Diet low in fibre
  • Obesity
  • Physical inactivity
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol excess
  • FHx of colorectal polyps or cancer
  • History of IBD
  • Older age
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26
Q

where are most colorectal cancers

A

Around 2/3rd of colorectal cancers in rectum, sigmoid and descending colon (i.e. left side)

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27
Q

causes of mucosal injury

A
•	GI tract secretions
      o	Acid and pepsin in stomach
      o	Biliary and pancreatic secretions
•	Ischaemia
•	Drugs
       o	NSAIDs, antibiotic, steroids
       o	Chemotherapy
•	Immunological
       o	Coeliac disease
•	Infections
•	Radiation
•	Trauma
•	Idiopathic
28
Q

manifestations of mucosal injury

A
  • Inflammation
  • Apoptosis or necrosis
  • Erosion and ulceration
  • Hypoplasia and atrophy
  • Hyperplasia
  • Metaplasia
  • Dysplasia +/- neoplasia
29
Q

what is the sydney system of classifying gastritis

A
•	Acute gastritis
        o	Acute erosive/ haemorrhagic gastritis 
            	Ingestion of irritants
        o	Acute H. pylori infection
            	Usually no symptoms
•	Chronic gastritis
       o	Non-atrophic 
           	Chronic H. pylori
       o	Atrophic
           	Autoimmune gastritis
           	Chronic H. pylori
•	Chronic gastritis (special forms)
       o	Chemical
          	Bile reflux, NSAIDs
       o	Radiation gastritis 
       o	Lymphocytic 
       o	Non-infectious granulomatous gastritis
          	Crohn’s disease or sarcoidosis
       o	Eosinophilic gastritis
          	Food sensitivities
       o	Other infectious agents
30
Q

possible aetiologies of IBD

A

• Infection?
• Loss of tolerance to commensal bacteria?
• Familial/genetic component
o Having a family member with IBD is greatest risk factor
• Environmental factors
o Food antigens
o Smoking (may be protective vs UC)

31
Q

what is important to remember UC and crohn’s?

A

Need to take biopsies from multiple sites
Crohn’s can affect any part of the GI tract
70% of crohn’s cases have granulomas
Malabsorption, strictures and fistulas only in crohn’s

32
Q

what are some mimics of IBD

A
•	Infective colitis
•	Ischaemic colitis
o	Most common in splenic flexure and descending bowel.
•	Diverticular disease
o	Most common in sigmoid colon
•	Drug induced colitis
•	Radiation colitis
•	Neoplasia
33
Q

describe microscopic colitis

A

watery diarrhoea in older patients – normal endoscopy
Increase in chronic inflammation cells in lamina propria – lymphocytic or collagenous
Cause often not identified
Lymphocytic colitis can be associated with coeliac disease
Drugs implicated in some cases
Can be treated with steroids

34
Q

what is malabsorption

A

defective mucosal uptake and transport of adequately digested nutrients. Selective or global

35
Q

what is maldigestion

A

impaired breakdown of nutrients, luminal phase e.g. pancreatic insufficiency

36
Q

what is malassimilation

A

encompasses both malabsorption and maldigestion

37
Q

what can cause malabsorption in the luminal phase

A

• Nutrient hydrolysis
o Enzyme deficiency: pancreatic insufficiency
o Enzyme deactivation: ZE syndrome
o Inadequacy of mixing: rapid transit, surgical resection

• Fat solubilization
o Decreased bile salts: cholestasis
o Bile salt deconjugation: bacterial overgrowth
o Bile salt loss: ileal disease or resection

• Lumenal availability
o Bacterial consumption of nutrients (bacterial overgrowth: B12 deficiency
o Decreased intrinsic factor (pernicious anaemia) : B12 deficiency

38
Q

what can cause malabsorption in the mucosal phase

A

• Brush border hydrolysis: lactase deficiency (post gastroenteritis, radiation, alcohol)

•	Epithelial transport
o	Reduced absorptive surface – resection
o	Damaged absorptive surface – coeliac disease, tropical sprue, crohn’s disease, ischaemia
o	Infections – giardia, SIBO
o	Infiltration – lymphoma, amyloid
39
Q

what can cause malabsorption in the post-mucosal phase

A

• Post-absoptive processing

o Lymphatic obstruction

40
Q

clinical symptoms of malabsorption

A
  • Diarrhoea and weight loss despite adequate intake
  • Bloating, distention, cramps, borborygmi
  • Lethargy and malaise
  • Symptoms often mild, non-specific
  • Malabsorption can be global, or specific nutrients
  • Malabsorption syndrome (steatorrhoea, distention, weight loss, oedema) is a rare presentation
41
Q

clues in history for malabsorption

A
  • Weight loss
  • Diarrhoea, steatorrhoea
  • Abdominal distention/gas
  • Intestinal “angina” after eating
  • Metabolic bone disease
  • GI surgery
  • Pancreatitis
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Alcohol
  • FHx coeliac
42
Q

evidence of malabsorption

A

• Skin
o Angular cheilitis (corners of mouth cracking) , glossitis (tongue inflammation)
o Dermatitis herpetiformis
o Oedema (rare)

• Neurologic (B12)
o Peripheral neuropathy
o Ataxia (posterior column)
o Psychosis, dementia

43
Q

lab clues for malabsorption

A
  • Microcytosis: iron deficiency (common in coeliac, otherwise suspect GI blood loss)
  • Macrocytosis: B12, folate deficiency but also common in coeliac, alcohol
  • Elevated ALP +/- low Ca
  • Hypoalbuminaemia
  • Evidence of multiple nutritional deficiencies
44
Q

diagnostic testing for the 3 most common conditions

A

o Tissue transglutaminase (TTG) – coeliac disease
o Faecal elastase – pancreatic insufficiency
o Glucose H2 breath test – SIBO
• Then if clinically suspected move on to more targeted testing

45
Q

what types of investigation might you do if the 3 common causes of malabsorption are negative

A
  • Microbiology of stool (giardia)
  • Faecal calprotectin (crohn’s)
  • 7alpha-cholestenone or SeHCAT test (bile acid malabsorption)
  • Lactose H2 breath test
  • Small intestine biopsy (many things like definitive coeliac diagnosis)
  • Small bowel imaging (stricture in crohn’s)
  • CT/CT angiogram
46
Q

what are the effects of coeliac’s

A

o Mucosal inflammation
o Villous atrophy
o Crypt hyperplasia

47
Q

what triggers coeliac’s

A

• Occurs upon exposure to gluten in the diet

o Triggers gliaden-reactive t lymphocytes

48
Q

describe the genetic predisposition to coeliac’s

A

o About ¼ of people have the genes for it but not known why some people get it and some don’t
o Prevalence up to 1/100
o Many subclinical or asymptomatic
o Iceberg of coeliac disease where a small number are diagnosed, many more are asymptomatic and even more have the potential to get it

49
Q

what is the clinical picture of coeliac’s

A
o	Diarrhoea
o	Anaemia
o	Dyspepsia
o	Abd pain/ bloating
o	Weight loss
o	Mouth ulcers
o	Fatigue
o	Neuropsychiatric symptoms
50
Q

what are investigative clues of coeliac’s

A
o	Anaemia (microcytic/macrocytic)
o	Iron/folate deficiency
o	Macrocytosis without anaemia
o	Hyposplenic blood film
o	Low calcium, elevated Alkaline phosphatase
o	Raised transaminases
o	Hypoalbuminaemia (severe cases)
51
Q

what diseases are caused by coeliac’s

A
	Osteoporosis
	Infertility
	Dermatitis herpetiformis
	Lymphocytic colitis
	Ulcerative jejunitis
	Lymphoma of the small intestine
52
Q

what diseases are associated with (not caused by) coeliac’s

A
o	Type 1 diabetes
o	Downs syndrome
o	Thyroid disease
o	Autoimmune liver disease
o	Sjogrens syndrome
o	Cerebellar ataxia
53
Q

how do you diagnose coeliac’s

A

o Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (IgA)
 Sensitivity and specificity >95%
o Small intestinal biopsy

54
Q

describe pancreatic insufficiency

A
  • Produces 1.5L/day of bicarbonate and enzyme rich fluid
  • Enzymes for fat, protein and Carb digestion
  • Lipolytic activity declines first – fat absorption mainly affected
  • Overt clinical consequences unlikely unless >90% of function lost
  • Steatorrhoea, weight loss, vitamin deficiency (A, D, E, K)
55
Q

what are the causes of pancreatic insufficiency

A
o	Chronic pancreatitis
       	Alcohol
           •	80% present with pain
       	Duct obstruction
           •	Tumours, stones
       	Cystic fibrosis
       	Systemic disease e.g. SLE
       	Autoimmune (IgG4) pancreatitis

o Pancreatic cancer

o Cystic fibrosis
 Autosomal recessive
 Impairment of bicarbonate and chloride
secretion – thick sticky mucous
 85% effected, starts early

o Haemochromatosis

o Pancreatic resection

o Gastric resection

56
Q

how do you diagnose pancreatic insufficiency

A
o	Risk factors
o	Symptoms
o	Imaging
o	Tests for function
	Direct – secretin stimulation tests
	Indirect – faecal elastase, pancreolauryl
57
Q

how do you treat pancreatic insufficiency

A

o Enzyme replacement
o Taken with meals and snacks
o Gastric acid suppression
o Vitamin supplements

58
Q

what is the distribution of bacteria in the bowel like usually

A
  • Normally 105 to 109 bacteria/ml present in distal small bowel
  • Colon has up to 1012/ml
  • Mostly gram negative aerobic in ileum, gram positive anaerobic in colon
  • In bacterial overgrowth this balance is lost
59
Q

what other diseases is SIBO a feature of

A

Liver disease, IBS, obesity, CF, coeliac disease

60
Q

what are the causes of SIBO

A
o	Stasis
        	Strictures
           •	Crohn’s
           •	TB
        	Hypomotility
           •	Old age
           •	Opiate analgesics
           •	Diabetes
           •	Systemic sclerosis

o Blind loops
 Gastric bypass for obesity etc

61
Q

what are the concequences of SIBO

A
o	Vit B12 malabsorption
o	Bile acid deconjugation
o	Intraluminal protein utilization
o	Brush border damage
o	 Ulceration of mucosa
o	Bowel dysmotility
62
Q

how do you diagnose SIBO

A

o Culture of jejunal fluid but this is cumbersome and not routine
o Glucose/hydrogen breath test more practical – not that accurate
 Human metabolism doesn’t produce hydrogen but bacteria do

63
Q

how do you treat SIBO

A

o 2 weeks of antibiotics (tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, rifaximin)
o Repeat treatment often needed

64
Q

describe bile salt malabsorption

A

• Bile acids specifically absorbed in the distal ileum
• Disease or resection of distal part of small intestine leads to malabsorption
• Bile salts can irritate colonic mucosa
• Leads to secretory diarrhoea
• Also impaired in post-cholecystectomy, rapid transit and other malabsorptive states
• Primary BAM may reflect over production rather than malabsorption
• Types
o Type 1 – ileal disease or resection (maybe due to crohn’s)
o Type 2 – idiopathic
o Type 3 -associated with post-cholecystectomy, rapid transit, coeliac, SIBO, chronic pancreatitis.

65
Q

how do you treat bile salt malabsorption

A

o Cholestyramine and colesevelam
 Bind to bile acids and stop them irritating the
bowel

66
Q

describe giardia

A
•	 Non-invasive
•	Malabsorption due to many factors
o	Brush border damage
o	Reduction in absorptive surface
o	Bile acid utilization
o	Induction of hypermotility
o	Enterotoxin
•	Metronidazole is very effective
67
Q

describe whipples disease

A
  • Uncommon disease of older men
  • Presents with diarrhoea, arthritis, cough, headache, muscle weakness
  • Antibiotic therapy from months to years