Gastroenterology Flashcards
Inducing remission in Crohns disease
- Steroids (e.g Oral pred/IV hydrocortisone) - or budoneside if mild disease
- Aminosalicylates e.g Mesalazine
- Azathioprine / Mercaptopurine / Methotrexate
- Infliximab
What must be checked prior to commencing treatment with Azathioprine or Mercaptopurine
TPMT - thiopurine methyltransferase.
If a pt is deficient in this then they cannot take azathioprine or Mercaptopurine. Consider methotrexate management instead.
Maintenance of remission in Crohn disease
- Azathioprine / Mercaptopurine
- Methotrexate (if TPMT deficient)
Inducing remission in Ulcerative colitis
- Rectal mesalazine +/- oral too if required (before adding a steroid)
- Oral prednisolone
If severe disease (i.e >6 stools per day + blood. or Systemic upset Temp >37.8, HR >100bpm, Hb <105, ESR >30) = INPATIENT
1. IV hydrocortisone
2. IV cyclosporin (if steroid can’t be tolerated or if no improvement in 72hrs with just steroids)
Maintenance of remission in Ulcerative Colitis
- Mesalazine (Rectal/Oral if L side or extensive)
If severe disease (or 2+ relapses in 1yr) = Azathioprine/Mercaptopruine
Histological findings in Crohn’s disease
Non-caseating granuloma formation
Lymphoid hyperplasia
Goblet cell hyperplasia
Histological findings in Ulcerative Colitis
Crypt abscesses
Goblet cell depletion
Crypt disorganisation
Radiological findings in Crohn’s disease
Small bowel enema shows;
- Kantor’s string sign (due to strictures)
- Rose thorn ulcers
- Proximal bowel dilation
- Fistulas
Radiological findings in Ulcerative Colitis
Barium enema shows;
- Loss of haustra
- Pseudopolyps
- Drainpipe colon: narrow and short colon in chronic disease
- Leadpipe sign: loss of haustra
- Thumb-printing sign: Thickened haustra folds
Endoscopic findings in Crohn’s disease
Deep ulcers with cobblestone appearance
Endoscopic findings in Ulcerative Colitis
Widespread ulceration, preservation of deep mucosa + pseudopolyps.
Distribution differences in IBD
Crohns = skip lesions
UC = continuous lesions
Is smoking protective or causative in UC
Protective
Extra-GI manifestations of IBD
Eyes = uveitis (more in UC) + episcleritis
Enteric arthritis
Skin = erythema nodosum + pyoderma gangrenosum
Clubbing
Osteoporosis
PSC (in UC only)
Age of onset in Chron’s disease
Bimodal - 15-40yrs and 60-80yrs
Age of onset in UC
20-40yrs
Indications for protocolectomy in UC
Protocolectomy = Colon + rectum removed. Ileostomy formed.
Indications = dysplastic transformation of the colon (long standing UC inc risk of colon cancer)
Indications for sub-total colectomy in UC
Sub-total colectomy = Portion of colon removed. Rectum remains in place. Temporary ileostomy formed.
Emergency/severe UC which has failed to respond to medical therapy
Restorative/Curative surgery in UC
Panprotocolectomy with Ileo-anal J pouch
Indications for surgery in Crohn’s disease
Fistulae, Abscess formation + Strictures
What is the main complication of a small bowel resection?
Short bowel syndrome
Severe peri-anal / Rectal Crohn’s disease surgical management
Proctectomy - with ileostomy
Why can ileo-anal J pouches not be used in Crohn’s disease
It carries a high risk of fistula formation + pouch failure
Terminal ileum Crohn’s disease surgical management
limited ileocaecal resection
What is the main risk/complication following limited ileocaecal resection in Crohn’s disease
Gallstone formation- due to Impairment of hepatic bile salt recycling
Most appropriate investigation to assess disease severity and therapeutic response in a Severe UC flare up
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
- less risk of perforation and can be done in emergencies without bowel preparation.
Investigation of choice for peri-anal fistula in patients with Crohn’s disease
MRI Pelvis - allows tract to be identified and any other abscesses
Hartmann’s procedure
Removal of sigmoid colon with end colostomy as emergency procedure.
Clinical Presentation of achalasia
Dysphagia of Solids AND liquids
Heartburn / regurgitation
1st line investigation + finding for achalasia
Manometry - demonstrates increased LOS tone which does not relax on swallowing
A bird-beak appearance on barium swallow is indicative of what disease?
Achalasia
What is the 1st line management of achalasia
Pneumatic balloon
Where does a pharyngeal pouch typically develop?
In the pharynx between the thyroid cartilage and Cricoid cartilage - Killian’s dehiscence
Sx of Pharyngeal pouch
Dysphagia
Halitosis
Neck swelling + gurgles on palpation
What is boerhaave’s syndrome?
Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus resulting from repetitive vomitting
Sudden onset chest pain + Repetitive vomitting + Subcutaneous emphysema is indicative of what condition?
Boerhaave’s syndrome
Red flag Sx (2ww referral) in a pt presenting with dyspepsia
Dysphagia
Age > 55yrs
Weight loss
Treatment resistant dyspepsia
low Hb
Raised platelets
1st line Invx for GORD
Endoscopy
Gold standard Invx for GORD / further invx when endoscopy is inconclusive
24hr oesophageal pH monitoring
Medical treatment for GORD
PPI for 1-2 months (continue on lower dose prn if useful. If no response X2 the dose for 1 month and if still no response try a H2RA or prokinetic)
1st line investigation in any presentation of dyspepsia
H.pylori - Urea breath test or Stool antigen test
Note - must discontinue PPIs 2 weeks before and Abx 4 weeks before
Triple eradication therapy for H.pylori
PPI + Amoxicillin + Clarithromycin/metronidazole for 7 days
If pen allergic = PPI + Clarithromycin + Metronidazole
What is Barrett’s oesophagus?
Premalignant metaplasia or the lower oesophagus due to chronic reflux
Stratified squamous –> Columnar
What is the cancer risk in a pt with Barrett’s oesophagus
2-5 % inc risk of developing adenocarcinoma of oesophagus
Main complications of H.pylori infection
GORD
Gastritis
Peptic ulcers
Gastric cancer
Gastric MALT (b-cell lymphoma - eradication of h.pylori usually induces remission)
Pathophysiology of peptic ulcer formation
1) Loss of protective layer (due to meds e.g NSAIDs which inhibit COX-1 therefore inhibit prostaglandin synthesis)
2) Increased acid secreation
Differentiation in symptoms between Gastric and Duodenal ulcers
Gastric ulcers = pain worse after eating
Duodenal ulcers = pain relieved by eating
Diagnostic investigation for Peptic ulcer disease
H.pylori should be ruled out 1st line, then do an
Endoscopy = diagnostic +/- Rapid urease test/biopsy
Management for Peptic ulcer (-ve H.pylori)
PPIs until the ulcer is healed
Causes of Upper GI bleed
Mallory-weiss tears
Oesophageal cancer
Esophagitis
Oesophageal varices
Gastric ulcer
Gastric cancer
Dieluafoy lesion
Diffuse erosive gastritis
Duodenal ulcer
Aortic-enteric fistula
Diverticular disease
Scoring systems in upper GI bleed
1) Glasgow-blatchford score: based on clinical findings to determine risk of GI bleed. Points for Rise in urea, drop in Hb/SBP/Pulse. Melena, syncope, hepatic disease, cardiac failure
2) Rockall score = based on endoscopic findings and determines risk of re-bleed.
Acute management of GI bleed caused by Oesophageal varices
IV terlipressin + Abx
Definitive treatment of oesophageal varices
Band ligation or TPSS
Acute management of upper GI bleed caused by a bleeding ulcer?
Adrenaline +/- Endoscopic clipping
Causes of Lower GI bleeding
Colitis
Diverticular disease
Cancer
Haemorrhoids
Angiodysplasia
Indications for surgery in acute lower GI bleed
Age >60yrs
Continued bleeding despite endoscopic intervention
Recurrent bleeding
Known CVD / Hypotension
Most common type of oesophageal cancer in UK
Adenocarcinoma
RF for oesophageal adenocarcinoma
GORD
Barrett’s
Smoking
Achalasia
Obesity
2ww referral for suspected oeseophageal cancer
New or changed dysphagia (any age)
Age >55 with weight loss + abdominal pain/reflux/dyspepsia
Diagnostic imvx for oesophageal cancer
Endoscopy + biopsy
Best imvx for TNM staging in oeseophageal cancer
CT TAP
Management of oesophageal cancer
Ivor-lewis type oesophagectomy + adjuvant chemo
Histology of gastric cancer
Signet ring cells - large vacuole of mucin displacing nucleus
Which lymph nodes are typically involved in gastric cancer
Virchow’s nodes - supraclavicular
sometimes sister may Jospeh nodes = periumbilical nodes
Surgical management choices in gastric cancer
Subtotal gastrectomy if cancer 5-10cm away from OGJ
Total gastrectomy if cancer <5cm from OGJ
Skin changes associated with coeliac disease
Dermatitis herpatiformis
Genetic associations to Coeliac disease
HLA-DQ2 & HLA-DQ8
Investigations for Coeliac disease
1) Total IgA - as if deficient can cause false -ve’s in the next two tests
2) Anti-TTG
3) Anti-endomysial antibodies