Gastroenterology Flashcards
Primary biliary cirrhosis associations?
- Sjogrens (80%)
- RhA
- SS
- Thyroid disease
- 9F:1M
PBC Dx?
- Immunology = Raised IgM, Anti-Mitochondrial Abs (AMA) M2 subtype (98%, highly specific), ASMA (30%)
- Imaging = required before diagnosis to exclude an extrahepatic biliary obstruction (typically a right upper quadrant ultrasound or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
PBC Rx?
- UDCA
- Cholestyramine for pruritis
- Fat soluble vitamin supplementation
- Liver transplantation e.g. if bilirubin > 100 (recurrence in graft can occur but usually not a problem)
PBC complications?
- Cirrhosis
- Osteomalacia and osteoporosis
- HCC (x20)
GORD correlation between symptoms and endoscopy appearance?
Poor correlation
Indications for UGI endoscopy?
- Age >55 y/o
- Symptoms > 4 weeks or persistent symptoms despite treatment
- Dysphagia
- Relapsing symptoms
- Weight loss
If GORD and endoscopy negative Ix?
24hr oesophageal pH monitoring (gold standard for Dx)
PPI stopped when before endoscopy?
2 weeks
Alcoholic liver disease spectrum?
- Alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
Alcoholic liver disease LFTs?
- Raised GGT
- AST:ALT > 2, >3 = strongly suggestive of acute alcoholic hepatitis
Alcoholic hepatitis management?
- Prednisolone during acute episode = Maddrey’s discriminant function (DF) is often used during acute episodes to determine who would benefit from glucocorticoid therapy, calculated using PT and bilirubin
- Pentoxyphylline sometimes used
UC management classification?
- Inducing remission
- Maintaining remission
UC severity?
- Mild = < 4 stools/day, small blood
- Moderate = 4-6 stools/day, varying blood, no systemic upset
- Severe = >6 bloody stools, systemic upset
Inducing remission in mild to moderate colitis classification?
- Proctitis
- Proctosigmoiditis and left sided
- Extensive disease
Inducing remission in mild to moderate UC proctitis?
- Topical aminosalicylate
- No improvement after 4 weeks –> add oral aminosalicylate
- No improvement –> topical or oral steroid
Inducing remission in mild to moderate UC proctosigmoiditis/left sided UC?
- Topical aminosalicylate
- No improvement after 4 weeks –> add high dose oral aminosalicylate OR switch to a high-dose oral aminosalicylate and a topical corticosteroid
- No improvement –> Stop topicals, oral aminosalicylate + oral corticosteroid
Inducing remission in mild to moderate UC extensive disease?
- Topical AND high dose oral aminosalicylate
- No improvement after 4 weeks –> Stop topicals, oral aminosalicylate + oral corticosteroid
Inducing remission in severe colitis?
- Admit to hospital
- IV steroids (IV ciclosporin if steroids C/I)
- No improvement after 72h –> consider adding IV ciclosporin/surgery
Maintaining remission following a mild to moderate UC proctitis/proctosigmoiditis flare?
- Topical aminosalicylate alone (daily or intermittent)
- Oral aminosalicylate plus a topical aminosalicylate (daily or intermittent) or
- Oral aminosalicylate by itself: this may not be effective as the other two options
Maintaining remission following a mild to moderate UC left sided and extensive UC flare?
Low maintenance dose of an oral aminosalicylate
Maintaining remission following a severe relapse or >/2 UC exacerbations in the past year?
Oral Azathioprine or Oral Mercaptopurine
Is methotrexate used in Rx of UC?
No
C. diff gram and shape?
Gram positive rod
C.diff RFs?
Abx and PPI
Characteristic C.diff bloods?
Raised WCC
C. diff severity scale?
- Mild = normal WCC
- Moderate = WCC <15, 3-5 loose stools per day
- Severe = WCC > 15, temp > 38.5, raised creatinine, abdo/radiological signs of severe colitis
- Life threatening = hypotension, partial or complete ileus, toxic megacolon/CT evidence of severe disease
C.Diff Dx?
- C. diff toxin in the stool
- C. diff antigen positivity only shows exposure to the bacteria, rather than current exposure
C. diff first episode management?
- 1st line = Oral vancomycin 10 days
- 2nd line = Oral fidoxamicin
- 3rd line = Oral vancomycin +/- IV Metronidazole
C. diff recurrent episodes Rx?
Recurrent infection occurs in around 20% of patients, increasing to 50% after their second episode
1. Within 12 weeks of symptom resolution = oral fidoxamicin
2. After 12 weeks of symptom resolution = oral vancomycin OR fidoxamacin
Life threatening C.diff infection Rx?
- Oral Vancomycin AND IV Metronidazole
- Specialist advice - surgery may be considered
C. diff other therapies?
- Bezlotoxumab is a monoclonal antibody which targets C. difficile toxin B
- Faecal microbiota transplant = may be considered for pts who’ve had 2 or more previous episodes
Achalasia symptoms?
- Dysphagia of both liquids and solids from the start
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation of food - may lead to cough, aspiration pneumonia etc.
Pharyngeal pouch mushkies?
- Older men typically
- Posteromedial herniation between thyropharyngeus and cricopharyngeus muscles
- Usually not seen but if large then a midline lump in the neck that gurgles on palpation
- Dysphagia, regurgitation, aspiration, chronic cough, halitosis
Achalasia LES pressure?
Increased
Systemic sclerosis LES pressure?
Decreased
Globus hystericus mushkies?
- History of anxiety
- Symptoms are often intermittent and relieved by swallowing
- Usually painless - presence of pain should warrant further investigation for organic causes
HBsAg?
- Ongoing infection (1-6 months)
- If present for >6 months implies chronic disease i.e. infective
Anti-HBs?
- Immunity = either exposure or infection
- Is negative in chronic disease
Anti-Hbc?
- Previous or current infection (caught)
- Negative if immunised
- IgM anti-HBc appears during acute or recent hepatitis B infection and is present for about 6 months. IgG anti-HBc persists
HBeAg?
Results from breakdown of core antigen from infected liver cells as is, therefore, a marker of infectivity. Marker of HBV replication and infectivity
WHO Diarrhoea definition?
> 3 loose or watery stools per day
Acute diarrhoea definition?
< 14 days
Chronic diarrhoea definition?
> 14 days
Urgent (2ww) endoscopy criteria?
- Dysphagia
- Upper abdominal mass consistent with stomach cancer
- > 55 who have weight loss AND upper abdominal pain/reflux/dyspepsia
Non-urgent endoscopy criteria?
- Haematemesis
- > 55 who have –>
a. Treatment-resistant dyspepsia
b. Upper abdominal pain with low Hb levels
c. Raised platelet count with N&V/weight loss/reflux/dyspepsia/upper abdominal pain
d. N&V with: weight loss, reflux, dyspepsia, upper abdominal pain
Undiagnosed dyspepsia management?
- Review medications
- Lifestyle advice
- PPI for 1 month OR test and treat approach for H. pylori
H. pylori Dx?
Carbon-13 urea breath test or a stool antigen test, or laboratory-based serology ‘where its performance has been locally validated
H. pylori test of cure?
- No need to check for H. pylori eradication if symptoms have resolved following test and treat
- If repeat testing required, then Carbon-13 urea breath test should be used
Causes of B12 deficiency?
- Pernicious anaemia (most common)
- Atrophic gastritis (secondary to H.pylori)
- Gastrectomy
- Malnutrition (e.g. alcoholism)
Pernicious anaemia pathophysiology?
Antibodies to intrinsic factor +/- gastric parietal cells
Vitamin B12 roles and thus malfunction as a result of deficiency?
- Production of blood cells –> megaloblastic anaemia
- Myelination of nerves –> neuropathy
Pernicious anaemia RFs?
- 6F:1M, middle to old age
- Other AI = T1DM, Addisons, RhA, Vitiligo, thyroid disease
- More common in blood group A
Pernicious anaemia features?
- Anaemia = lethargy, pallor, dyspnoea
- Neurological features = peripheral neuropathy (pine and needles, numbness, typically symmetrical and affects legs > arms), SCDSC, neuropsychiatric features
SCDSC features?
- Progressive weakness
- Ataxia
- Paraesthesias that may progress to spasticity and paraplegia
Other features of pernicious anaemia?
- Mild jaundice = combined with pallor results in a ‘lemon tinge’
- Glossitis = sore tongue
Pernicious anaemia Ix?
- FBC = macrocytic anaemia, hypersegmented polymorphs on blood film, low WCC and platelets may also be seen
- Anti-intrinsic factor antibodies = 95% specificity, 50% sensitivity
- Anti-gastric parietal cell antibodies = present in 90%, but low specificity so often not useful clinically
Pernicious anaemia Rx?
- Vitamin B12 replacement usually IM, no neurological features –> 3 injections per week for 2 weeks followed by 3 monthly injections
- More frequent doses given for patients with neurological features
Pernicious anaemia and gastric cancer?
Increased risk
Maximum recommended alcohol consumption?
14 units for men and women
Calculation of units in a drink?
(ml x ABV) / 1000
Haemachromatosis definition?
Autosomal recessive disorder of iron absorption and metabolism resulting in iron accumulation. It is caused by inheritance of mutations in the HFE gene on both copies of chromosome 6
Haemachromatosis screening?
- General population = transferrin saturation is considered the most useful marker. Ferritin should also be measured but is not usually abnormal in the early stages of iron accumulation
- Testing family members = genetic testing for HFE mutation
Haemachromatosis diagnostic tests?
- Molecular testing for C282Y and H63D mutations
- Liver biopsy = Perl’s stain
Typical iron study profile in pt with haemachromatosis?
- Transferrin saturation = >55% in men or >50% in women
- Raised ferritin and iron
- Low TIBC
Haemachromatosis Rx?
- 1st line = Venesection, transferrin saturation should be < 50% and ferritin < 50
- 2nd line = desferrioxamine
Haemachromatosis joint X-rays?
Chondrocalcinosis
Pancreatic cancer associations?
- Age, smoking, diabetes
- Chronic pancreatitis
- HNPCC
- MEN
- BRCA2 gene
- KRAS mutation
Courvoisier’s law?
In the presence of painless obstructive jaundice, a palpable gallbladder is unlikely to be due to gallstones
Pancreatic cancer Ix?
- High-resolution CT scan is investigation of choice
- US has a sensitivity of 60-90%
- Imaging may show double-duct sign = presence of simultaneous dilatation of the common bile and pancreatic ducts
Pancreatic cancer Rx?
- <20% suitable for surgery at Dx
- Whipple’s (pancreaticoduodenectomy) for resectable lesions in the head of the pancreas
- Adjuvant chemotherapy usually given following surgery
- ERCP with stenting often used for palliation
Whipple’s side effects?
- Dumping syndrome
- Peptic ulcer disease
Urea breath test important note?
Should not be performed within 4w of antibacterial or 2w of PPI
When should IBS diagnosis be considered?
Had the following for 6 months (ABC):
1. Abdominal pain
2. Bloating
3. Change in bowel habit
IBS Diagnosis?
Abdominal pain relieved by defecation or associated with altered bowel frequency and stool form, in addition to 2 of the following 4 features:
1. Altered stool passage (straining, urgency, incomplete evacuation)
2. Abdominal bloating, distension or hardness
3. Symptoms made worse by eating
4. Passage of mucus
IBS Ix?
- FBC, ESR/CRP
- Coeliac disease screen (anti-TTG)
Diabetes medication causing cholestasis?
Sulphonylureas e.g. Gliclazide
Classification of drug-induced liver disease?
- Hepatocellular
- Cholestatic
- Mixed
3 drugs causing liver cirrhosis?
- Methotrexate
- Methyldopa
- Amiodarone
TIBC in anaemia?
High
TIBC in ACD?
Low/normal
Ferritin in IDA?
Low
TIBC in pregnancy?
Raised
Transferrin saturation equation?
Serum iron/TIBC
Obesity with abnormal LFTs?
NAFLD (Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease)
Most common cause of liver disease in the developed world?
NAFLD
Key mechanism leading to steatosis in NAFLD?
Insulin resistance
NASH definition?
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a term used to describe liver changes similar to those seen in alcoholic hepatitis in the absence of a history of alcohol abuse. It is relatively common and thought to affect around 3-4% of the general population. The progression of disease in patients with NASH may be responsible for a proportion of patients previously labelled as cryptogenic cirrhosis.
NAFLD ALT and AST?
ALT > AST
NAFLD Ix?
- No screening, management based on incidental findings on liver ultrasound
- Enhanced lived fibrosis (ELF) blood test to check for advanced fibrosis
- Fibroscan can be used
NAFLD Rx?
- Lifestyle changes
- Research ongoing for gastric banding and insulin-sensitising drugs e.g. metformin, pioglitazone
Triggers of UC flare?
- No known trigger
- Stress
- NSAIDs/Abx
- Smoking cessation
When is smoking cessation bad?
Can trigger a UC flare
GI complication of systemic sclerosis?
Malabsorption syndrome = B12 and folate deficiency, low iron and low albumin
Malabsorption features?
- Diarrhoea
- Steatorrhoea
- Weight loss
Classification of malabsorption?
- Intestinal = Coeliac, Crohn’s, Whipple’s, tropical sprue, Giardiasis, brush border enzyme deficiency e.g. lactase insufficiency
- Pancreatic = chronic pancreatitis, CF, pancreatic cancer
- Biliary = obstruction, PBC
- Other = Bacterial overgrowth (systemic sclerosis, diverticulae, blind loop), short bowel syndrome, lymphoma
PSC definition?
A biliary disease of unknown aetiology characterised by inflammation and fibrosis of intra and extra-hepatic bile ducts
PSC associations?
- UC (4% with UC have PSC, 80% with PSC have UC)
- Crohn’s (much less common than UC)
- HIV
PSC Ix?
- ERCP/MRCP gold standard, beaded appearance
- pANCA +ve
- Onion skin on liver biopsy
PSC complications?
- Cholangiocarcinoma in 10%
- Colorectal cancer
Coeliac disease HLA associations?
HLA-DQ2 (95%) and HLA-DQ8 (80%)
Coeliac disease complications?
- Anaemia = iron, folate and B12 deficiency (folate most common)
- Hyposplenism
- Osteoporosis, osteomalacia
- Lactose intolerance
- Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma of small intestine
- Subfertility, unfavourable pregnancy outcomes
- Rare = oesophageal cancer
Ischaemia to lower GI tract types?
- Acute mesenteric ischaemia
- Chronic mesenteric ischaemia
- Ischaemic colitis
Acute mesenteric ischaemia features?
- Typically small bowel e.g. SMA, due to embolism, sudden onset severe symptoms out of keeping with examination findings
- High mortality, needs urgent surgery
Chronic mesenteric ischaemia mushkies?
Rare clinical diagnosis due to non-specific features, colicky intermittent abdominal pain, ‘intestinal angina’
Ischaemic colitis mushkies?
- Large bowel, multifactorial, bloody diarrhoea, transient and less severe symptoms
- Thumbprinting on AXR due to mucosal oedema/haemorrhage
- Conservative management
- An acute but transient compromise in blood flow to the large bowel, watershed areas e.g. splenic flexure
- Rx = usually supportive, surgery if generalised peritonitis/perforation/ongoing haemorrhage
Murphy’s sign?
Acute cholecystitis, arrest of inspiration on palpation of RUQ
Cholangiocarcinoma mushkies?
- Courvoisier’s sign
- Sister Mary Joseph nodes = periumbilical lymphadenopathy
- Virchow’s node
- Persistent biliary colic symptoms associated with anorexia, jaundice and weight loss
Most common type of oesophageal cancer?
Adenocarcinoma
Oesophageal adenocarcinoma mushkies?
- Most common type in UK/US
- Lower 1/3rd near GOJ
- RFs = GORD, Barrett’s, smoking, achalasia, obesity
Oesophageal SCC mushkies?
- Most common type in developing world
- Upper 2/3rds
- RFs = Smoking, alcohol, achalasia, Plummer-Vinson syndrome, diets rich in nitrosamines
Oesophageal cancer Ix?
- Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy
- Endoscopic US is preferred for locoregional staging
- CT CAP for initial staging (FDG-PET for detecting occult metastases if not seen on initial staging CT scans)
- Laparoscopy is sometimes performed to detect occult peritoneal disease
Oesophageal cancer Rx?
- Operable disease –> Ivor-Lewis type oesophagectomy
- Many pts will have adjuvant chemoterapy
Biggest surgical challenge of oesophageal cancer?
Anastomotic leak –> intrathoracic anastomosis –> mediastinitis
PPI s/e?
- Hyponatraemia, hypomagnesaemia
- Osteoporosis –> increased fracture risk
- Microscopic colitis
- Increased risk of C.diff
Most common SBP organism?
E. coli
SBP Paracentesis cell count?
> 250
SBP Rx?
IV Cefotaxime
When is Abx prophylaxis given to ascites pts?
- Have had an episode of SBP
- Fluid protein <15g/l and either a Child-Pugh of at least 9 or hepatorenal syndrome
- Oral ciprofloxacin or norfloxacin
GORD definition?
Symptoms of oesophagitis secondary to refluxed gastric contents
GORD management classification?
- Endoscopically proven
- Endoscopically negative
Endoscopically proven GORD Rx?
- Full dose PPI for 1-2 months
- If response then low dose treatment as required
- If no response then double PPI dose for 1 month
Endoscopically negative reflux disease?
- Full dose PPI for 1 month
- If response then offer low dose treatment, possibly on an as-required basis, with a limited number of repeat prescriptions
- If no response then H2RA or prokinetic for 1 month
Ascites classification?
- SAAG > 11g/L (portal hypertension)
- SAAG < 11g/L
Raised SAAG Ascites causes?
- Liver = cirrhosis, acute liver failure, metastases
- Cardiac = HF, constrictive pericarditis
- Other = Budd-chiari, portal vein thrombosis, veno-occlusive disease, myxoedema
Low SAAG ascites causes?
- Infection = TB
- Hypoalbuminaemia = nephrotic syndrome, Kwashiorkor
- Metastases
- Other = Pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, serositis in CTD
Ascites Rx?
- Conservative = reduce dietary sodium, fluid restriction if Na < 125
- Aldosterone antagonist (spironolactone), can add loop diuretic if needed
- Drainage if tense
- Prophylactic Abx (ciprofloxacin) if cirrhosis and ascites with an ascitic protein of 15 g/litre or less, until the ascites has resolved
- TIPSS may be considered
Most common cause of HCC worldwide?
Chronic Hepatitis B
Most common cause of HCC in Europe?
Chronic Hepatitis C
HCC marker?
AFP
HCC Screening?
With US +/- AFP for high risk groups:
1. Liver cirrhosis secondary to Hep B/C or haemachromatosis
2. Men with liver cirrhosis secondary to alcohol
HCC Rx?
- Early disease = surgical resection
- Liver transplantation
- RFA
- Transarterial chemoembolisation
- Sorafenib: a multikinase inhibitor
Most common extra-intestinal feature in IBD?
Arthritis
Most prominent Crohn’s symptom in children?
Abdominal pain
Most prominent Crohn’s symptoms in adults?
Diarrhoea
Episcleritis more common in UC or CD?
CD
Uveitis more common in UC or CD?
UC
IBD crypt abscesses?
UC
IBD goblet cells and granulomas?
CD
Best first line management for NAFLD?
Weight loss
Causes of haematemesis?
- Oesophageal = varices, oesophagitis, cancer, mallory-weiss tear
- Gastric = ulcer, cancer, dieulafoy lesion, diffuse erosive gastritis
- Duodenal = ulcer, aorto-enteric fistula
Aorto-enteric fistula mushkies?
In patients with previous abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery aorto-enteric fistulation remains a rare but important cause of major haemorrhage associated with high mortality
Upper GI bleed scoring?
- Glasgow-Blatchford at first assessment (Rockall after endoscopy)
Blatchford score components?
HUSO
1. Hb
2. Urea
3. SBP
4. Other = pulse, melaena, syncope, hepatic disease, cardiac failure
Common Upper GI Bleed Rx?
- ABC, wide bore access x 2
- Platelet transfusion if actively bleeding and < 50
- FFP if fibrinogen <1 or PT/APTT x1.5 normal
- PCC if on warfarin and actively bleeding
- Endoscopy = immediately after resus in severe bleed, all pts should have endoscopy within 24 hours
Management of non-variceal bleeding?
- Do not recommend PPIs before endoscopy
- If further bleeding then repeat endoscopy, IR and surgery
Management of variceal bleeding?
- Terlipressin and prophylactic Abx
- Band ligation for oesophageal varices
- N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate injection for gastric varices
- TIPS if bleeding from varices not controlled with above measures
NICE guidance before coeliac testing?
Reintroduce gluten for at least 6 weeks prior to testing
Coeliac Ix?
- Serology = TTG (IgA) 1st line, anti-endomysial (IgA), anti-casein sometimes found
- Endoscopic intestinal biopsy is gold standard, duodenal/jejunal
Coeliac histology?
- Villous atrophy
- Crypt hyperplasia
- Increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes
- Lamina propria infiltration with lymphocytes
Crohn’s general points?
- Stop smoking
- Increased risk of relapse secondary to NSAIDs and the combined oral contraceptive pill but evidence is patchy
Crohn’s inducing remission?
- Glucocorticoids (budesonide is an alternative in certain subgroups)
- Enteral feeding with an elemental diet may be used in addition to or instead of other measures to induce remission, particularly if there is concern regarding the side-effects of steroids (for example in young children)
- 5-ASA second line but not as effective
- Azathioprine or mercaptopurine may be used as add-on to induce remission but is not used as monotherapy (Methotrexate is an alternative to AZA)
- Infliximab is useful in refractory disease and fistulating Crohn’s. Patients typically continue on azathioprine or methotrexate
- Metronidazole is often used for isolated peri-anal disease
Crohn’s maintaining remission?
- Stop smoking
- AZA or 6-MP first line (TPMT should be assessed before starting)
- Methotrexate is 2nd line
Crohn’s surgery mushkies?
- 80% will eventually have surgery
- Stricturing terminal ileal disease –> ileocaecal resection
- Segmental bowel resections
- Stricturoplasty
- Perianal disease see cards
Perianal fistulae mushkies?
- MRI is the investigation of choice for suspected perianal fistulae - can be used to determine if there (is an abscess and if the fistula is simple (low fistula) or complex (high fistula that passes through or above muscle layers)
- Symptomatic –> given oral metronidazole
- Anti-TNF agents such as infliximab may also be effective in closing and maintaining closure of perianal fistulas
- Draining seton used for complex fistulae
Perianal abscess Rx?
- Requires I&D and Abx
- Draining seton may be placed if tract is identified
Crohn’s complications?
- Small bowel cancer x40
- Colorectal cancer x2
- Osteoporosis
Variceal haemorrhage acute management?
- ABC = resus prior to endoscopy
- Correct clotting = FFP, Vitamin K
- Terlipressin (or octreotide)
- IV Abx, quinolones
- Endoscopy = band ligation superior to sclerotherapy
- Sengstaken-Blakemore tube if uncontrolled haemorrhage
- TIPS if uncontrolled haemorrhage
Prophylaxis of variceal haemorrhage?
- Propranolol
- Endoscopic band ligation is superior to sclerotherapy (PPI cover given to prevent EVL-induced ulceration)
Gastric cancer RFs?
- H. pylori
- Atrophic gastritis
- Diet
- Smoking
- Blood group
Sister Mary Joseph’s node?
Periumbilical node in gastric cancer
Gastric cancer Ix?
- Dx = endoscopy with biopsy
- Staging = CT
Gastric cancer histology?
Signet ring cells. High numbers associated with worse prognosis.
Gastric cancer Rx?
- Surgery = endoscopic mucosal resection, partial/total gastrectomy
- Chemotherapy
Melanosis coli?
Disorder of pigmentation of the bowel wall. Histology shows pigment-laden macrophages. Associated with laxative abuse, especially senna.
Swinging pyrexia and right upper quadrant pain?
Gallbladder abscess
Gallstone ileus Rx?
Laparotomy and removal of the gallstone from small bowel, the enterotomy must be made proximal to the site of obstruction and not at the site of obstruction. The fistula between the gallbladder and duodenum should not be interfered with.
Acalculous cholecystitis Rx?
If patient fit then cholecystectomy, if unfit then percutaneous cholecystostomy
Asymptomatic gallstone in gallbladder Rx”
Expectant
Asymptomatic gallstone in CBD management?
Surgical management
ERCP risks?
- Bleeding
- Duodenal perforation
- Cholangitis
- Pancreatitis
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome definition?
An autosomal dominant condition characterised by numerous hamartomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal tract. It is also associated with pigmented freckles on the lips, face, palms and soles. Although the polyps themselves don’t have malignant potential, around 50% of patients will have died from another gastrointestinal tract cancer by the age of 60 years.
Peutz-Jeghers genetics?
- AD
- Gene encodes serine threonine kinase LKB1 or STK11
Peutz-Jeghers features?
- Hamartomatous polyps in the GI tract (mainly small bowel) -
- SBO is a common presenting complaint often due to intussuscpetion, GI bleeding
- Pigmented lesions on lips, oral mucosa, face, palms and soles
Peutz-Jeghers Rx?
Conservative unless complications develop
Barrett’s oesophagus definition?
Metaplasia of the lower oesophageal mucosa, with the usual squamous epithelium being replaced by columnar epithelium. There is an increased risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, estimated at 50-100 fold. There are no screening programs for Barrett’s - it’s typically identified when patients have an endoscopy for evaluation of upper gastrointestinal symptoms such as dyspepsia.
Barrett’s classification?
Barrett’s can be subdivided into short (<3cm) and long (>3cm). The length of the affected segment correlates strongly with the chances of identifying metaplasia.
Barrett’s histology?
Columnar epithelium may resemble that of either the cardiac region of the stomach or that of the small intestine (e.g. with goblet cells, brush border)
Barrett’s RFs?
- GORD
- 7M:1F
- Smoking
- Central obesity
Is alcohol an independent RF for Barrett’s?
No
Barrett’s Rx?
- High dose PPI
- Endoscopic surveillance with biopsies (for pts with metaplasia (but not dysplasia) endoscopy is recommended every 3-5 years)
- If dysplasia of any grade is identified, endosopic intervention is offered –> RFA first line, endoscopic mucosal resection also
Achalasia definition?
Failure of oesophageal peristalsis and of relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) due to degenerative loss of ganglia from Auerbach’s plexus i.e. LOS contracted, oesophagus above dilated. Achalasia typically presents in middle-age and is equally common in men and women.
Achalasia features?
- Dysphagia of both liquids and solids
- Malignant change in small number of patients
- Regurgitation of food may lead to cough/aspiration pneumonia
Achalasia Ix?
- Oesophageal manometry = excessive LOS tone which doesnt relax on swallowing, most important test
- Barium swallow = birds beak
- CXR = wide mediastinum, fluid level
Achalasia Rx?
- Pneumatic dilation 1st line
- Surgical intervention with Heller’s cardiomyotomy if recurrent/persistent symptoms
- Intra-sphincteric injection of botulinum if high surgical risk
- Drugs e.g. nitrates, CCBs has a role but is limited by side effects
What medication should be avoided in bowel obstruction?
Metoclopramide
Metoclopramide MOA?
D2 receptor antagonist
Metoclopramide uses?
- GORD
- Prokinetic
- With analgesics for migraine treatment (migraine attacks result in gastroparesis, slowing the absorption of analgesics)
Metoclopramide s/e?
- EPSE e.g. acute dystonia, tardive dyskinesia, parkinsonism
- Diarrhoea
- Hyperprolactinaemia
Weight loss predominant IBD?
Crohn’s
Gallstones predominant IBD?
Crohn’s due to reduced bile acid reabsorption
IBD skip lesions?
Crohn’s
IBD pseudopolyps?
UC
IBD cobblestones?
Crohn’s
Crohn’s radiological investigation?
Small bowel enema
1. High sensitivity and specificity for examination of the terminal ileum
2. Strictures: Kantor’s string sign
3. Proximal bowel dilatation
4. Rose thorn ulcers
5. Fistulae
UC radiological investigation?
Barium enema
1. Loss of haustrations
2. Superficial ulceration, pseudopolyps
3. Long standing disease: colon is narrow and short -‘drainpipe colon’
Pharyngeal pouch Ix?
Barium swallow combined with dynamic video fluoroscopy
Pharyngeal pouch Rx?
Surgery
Causes of Vitamin B6 deficiency?
Isoniazid therapy
Vitamin B6 AKA?
Pyridoxine
Consequences of Vitamin B6 deficiency?
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Sideroblastic anaemia
Autoimmune hepatitis mushkies?
Autoimmune hepatitis is condition of unknown aetiology which is most commonly seen in young females. Recognised associations include other autoimmune disorders, hypergammaglobulinaemia and HLA B8, DR3. Three types of autoimmune hepatitis have been characterised according to the types of circulating antibodies present
Types of autoimmune hepatitis?
- Type I = ANA/ASMA, adults and children
- Type II = Anti-LKM1, children
- Type III = soluble liver-kidney antigen, middle aged adults
Autoimmune hepatitis mushkie in women?
Often presents with amenorrhoea
Autoimmune hepatitis liver biopsy?
‘Piecemeal necrosis = inflammation extending beyong limiting plate
Autoimmune hepatitis Rx?
- Steroids, AZA
- Liver transplantation
Bile acid malabsorption Rx?
Cholestyramine
Bile acid malabsorption Ix?
SeHCAT –> scans done 7 days apart to assess retention/loss of radiolabelled SeHCAT
Bile acid malabsorption causes?
- Primary = excessive bile acid production, underlying GI disorder
- Secondary = cholecystectomy, coeliac disease, small intestine bacterial overgrowth
Bile acid malabsorption presentation?
- Steatorrhoea
- ADEK malabsorption
Vitamin A deficiency symptom?
Night blindness
What vitamin is teratogenic in high doses?
Vitamin A
Haemachromatosis epidemiology?
- 1 in 10 people of European descent carry a mutation in the genes affecting iron metabolism, mainly HFE
- Prevalence in people of European descent = 1 in 200, making it more common than cystic fibrosis
Haemachromatosis presenting features?
- Fatigue, erectile dysfunction and arthralgia (often of the hands)
- ‘Bronze’ skin pigmentation
- DM
- Liver disease
- Heart = DCM
- Hypogonadism = 2nd to cirrhosis and pituitary dysfunction - hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
Reversible complications of haemachromatosis?
- Cardiomyopathy
- Skin pigmentation
Irreversible complications of haemachromatosis?
- Liver cirrhosis
- DM
- Arthropathy
- Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
Ferritin function?
An intracellular protein that binds iron and stores it to be released in a controlled fashion at sites where iron is required
Increased ferritin levels thresholds in men and women?
- > 300 in men/postmenopausal women
- > 200 in premenopausal women
Classification of raised ferritin?
- With iron overload (10%)
- Without iron overload (90%)
Causes of raised ferritin with iron overload?
- Primary = HH
- Secondary = repeated transfusions
Causes of raised ferritin without iron oveload?
- Inflammation
- EtOH XS
- Liver disease
- CKD
- Malignancy
How to tell if there is iron overload?
Raised transferrin saturation
How to tell if IDA is due to iron deficiency state?
Low ferritin (because iron and ferritin are bound)
What Abx classically associated with C.diff?
Clindamycin
Problem drinking screening?
- AUDIT
- FAST
- CAGE
AUDIT mushkies?
- 10 items
- Score 0- 40
- > 8 men/>7 women = harmful
- > 15 men/>13 women = dependence
- AUDIT-C is abbreviated form consisting of 3 questions
FAST mushkies?
- 4 items
- Score 0 - 16
- > 3 = hazardous
- If answer to first question is ‘never’ then the pt is not misusing alcohol
- If answer to first question is weekly/daily then is hazardous/harmful/dependent
CAGE mushkies?
- Cute down, annoyed, guilty, eye opener
- > =2 is positive
ICD 10 diagnosis of problem drinking?
3 or more of:
1. Compulsion
2. Difficulties controlling
3. Physiological withdrawal
4. Tolerance
5. Neglect of alternative activities
6. Persistent use despite harm
Carcinoid syndrome features?
- Flushing (earliest)
- Diarrhoea
- Bronchospasm
- Hypotension
- Right heart valvuler stenosis
- ACTH and GHRH ma also be secreted –> Cushing’s
- Pellagra can rarely develop as dietary tryptophan is diverted to serotonin by the tuour
Carcinoid tumour Ix?
- Urinary 5-HIAA
- Plasma chromagranin Ay
Carcinoid tumour Rx?
- Somatostatin analogue e.g. octreotide
- Diarrhoea = cyproheptadine may help
Anti-HBs levels after immunisation aim?
Aim >100, but >10 generally accepted
Aminosalicylate mushkies?
5-aminosalicyclic acid (5-ASA) is released in the colon and is not absorbed. It acts locally as an anti-inflammatory. The mechanism of action is not fully understood but 5-ASA may inhibit prostaglandin synthesis
Aminosalicylate examples?
- Sulphasalazine
- Mesalazine
- Olsalazine
Sulphasalazine s/e?
These are NOT seen with mesalazine = rashes, oligospermia, headache, Heinz body anaemia, megaloblastic anaemia, lung fibrosis
Aminosalicylate s/e?
Agranulocytosis
Mesalazine s/e?
Pancreatitis
Liver failure clotting factors?
All low except for Factor 8 which is supra-normal (because factor VIII is synthesised in endothelial cells throughout the body, unlike the other clotting factors which are synthesised purely in hepatic endothelial cells)
Metabolic acidosis with normal or low glucose?
Likely alcoholic ketoacidosis
Alcoholic ketoacidosis Rx?
Saline and Thiamine
IBD phenomena related to disease activity?
- Arthritis: pauciarticular, asymmetric
- Erythema nodosum
- Episcleritis
- Osteoporosis
IBD phenomena unrelated to disease activity?
- Arthritis = polyarticular, symmetric
- Uveitis
- Pyoderma gangrenosum
- Clubbing
- PSC
Liver and neurological disease?
Wilson’s
Wilson’s disease definition?
An autosomal recessive disorder characterised by excessive copper deposition in the tissues. Metabolic abnormalities include increased copper absorption from the small intestine and decreased hepatic copper excretion. Wilson’s disease is caused by a defect in the ATP7B gene located on chromosome 13
Wilson’s disease onset?
10-25 years (children usually present with liver disease, young adults usually present with neurological disease)
Wilson’s disease features?
- Liver = hepatitis, cirrhosis
- Neuro = basal ganglia deterioration, neuropsychiatric
- Renal = tubular acidosis, esp. Fanconi’s syndrome
- Kayser-Fleisher rings
- Haemolysis, blue nails
Wilson’s Ix?
- Slit lamp = Feyser=Fleischer rings
- Low caeruloplasmin, low total serum copper
- Free (non-caeruloplasmin bound) serum is increased, increased 24hr urinary copper excretion
- Diagnosis confirmed by genetic analysis of ATP7B gene
Wilson’s Rx?
- Penicillamine 1st line
- Trientine hydrochloride is alternative
Cyclical vomiting syndrome mushkies?
- Rare, more common in children, F>M
- Aetiology = unknown, 80% children and 25% adults have migraines
CVS presentation?
- Severe nausea and sudden vomiting lasting hours to days
- Prodromal intense sweating and nausea
- Well in between episodes
CVS Dx?
Clinical diagnosis, pregnancy test in women, routine blood tests to exclude any underlying conditions
CVS Rx?
- Avoidance of triggers
- Prophylaxis = amitriptyline, propranolol and topiramate
- Acute = Ondansetron, prochlorperazine and triptans
1st line to maintain remission in CD?
Azathioprine or 6-MP