Gastroenterology Flashcards
IBS
enhanced visceral perception giving bowel symptoms for which no organic cause can be found.
IBS
diagnostic criteria
ROME criteria
- at least 1 day per week in the last 3 months, with onset at least 6 months previously, of recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort.
- associated with 2 or more of the following:
1) improvement with defecation
2) onset associated with change in frequency of stool;
3) onset associated with a change in form of stool
NICE Diagnosis of IBS?
Consider in anyone who has 6 months of:
- Abdo pain
- Bloating OR
- Change in bowel habit.
Diagnosis if a person has abdo pain which is:
- related to defection
- Associated with altered stool frequency (more or less)
- Altered stool form or appearance.
Exclusion criteria for IBS
>40 yrs Bloody stool Anorexia Weight loss Diarrhoea at night
Investigations for IBS?
- Bloods: FBC, ESR, LFTs, Coeliac serology, TSH
- Colonoscopy: if >60yrs or any features of organic disease.
Management for IBS?
- Exclusion diet can be tried (low FODMAP). Try to have regular meals, avoid missing meals, drink 8 cups of water, restrict tea + coffee to 3 cups a day.
According to predominant symptom
pain: antispasmodic agents (merebavine)
constipation: laxatives but avoid lactulose (Linaclotide)
diarrhoea: loperamide is first-line. An opioid receptor agonist which does not have systemic effects.
2nd line:
- Amitriptyline may be helpful. (abdo pain)
- CBT
Definition of dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing
Inflammatory causes of dysphagia?
Tonsilitis, pharyngitis, oesophagitis (GORD), Oral candidiasis, Aphthous ulcers.
Mechanical luminal causes of dysphagia?
Mechanical block:
- Luminal: (FB, Large food bolus),
Benign mechanical mural causes of dysphagia?
Plummer-Vinson (Web),
Oesophagitis
Trauma (GORD)
Pharyngeal pouch
Malignant mechanical mural causes of dysphagia?
Malignant stricture:
1) Pharynx
2) Oesphagus
3) Gastric
Extra-mural mechanical causes of dysphagia?
Lung Cancer Rolling hiatus hernia Mediastinal LN (Lymphoma) Retrosternal goitre Thoracic aortic aneurysm
Motility disorders causing dysphagia?
Local:
- Achalasia
- Diffuse oesophageal spasm
- Nutcracker oesophagus
- Bulbar/pseudobulbar palsy (CVA, MND)
Systemic:
- Systemic sclerosis/CREST
- MG
What is the presentation of dysphagia?
- Dysphagia for liquids and solids at start? Motility disorder
- If not: solids > liquids: Stricture
- Difficulty making swallowing: bulbar palsy
- Odynophagia: Ca, oesphageal ulcer, spasm
- Intermittent: oesophageal spasm
- Constant and worsening: malignant stricture
- Neck bulges or gurgles on drinking: pharyngeal pouch
Signs of dysphagia?
Cachexia Anaemia Virchow's node (+ve = Troisier's sign) Neurology Signs of systemic disease
Investigations for dysphagia?
Bloods: FBC, U+E
CXR
OGD (Upper GI Endoscopy) - Stop PPI 2 weeks before an upper GI endoscopy.
Barium Swallow ± Video fluroscopy
What is the pathophysiology of achalasia?
- Degeneration of the myenteric plexus (Auerbach’s)
- Decreased peristalsis
- Lower oesophageal sphincter fails to relax
What are the causes of Achalasia?
Primary/Idiopathic: commonest
Secondary: oesophageal Ca, Chagas’ disease (T.cruzii)
What is the presentation of achalasia?
Dysphagia: Liquids and solids at the same time
Arching of neck/standing sitting up straight
Regurgitations
Substernal cramps
Wt Loss
Complications of achalasia
Chronic achalasia –> Oesophageal primary squamous cell carcinoma.
Investigations for achalasia (BBBBM)
Bedside Obs: HR, O2, BP, RR.
Bloods: FBC (Anaemia), U+E (Electrolytes), (TFTs)
Barium swallow: See a dilated tapering oesophagus (Bird’s Beak). Better in older patients.
Manometry: Checking functioning of the oesophageal valve
CXR: Widened mediastinum
OGD: To exclude malignancy and is usually first line.
Management for achalasia?
Intra-sphincteric injection of botulinum toxin
First line: Pneumatic dilation - - Air inflated balloons are used to apply mechanical stretch to the lower oesophageal sphincter to tear its muscle fibres (Rigiflex or Witzel)
- Surgical cardiomyotomy (open or endo)
Poor surgical candidate?
- Medical - CCB (nifedipine or verapamil) or nitrates. (to lower oesophageal sphincter pressure.
- Botox - inhibits the release of acetylcholine from nerve terminals. Done endoscopically
What is a pharyngeal Pouch/ Zenker’s Diverticulum
Outpouching of the oesophagus
- Between borders of cricopharyngeus and lower border of inferior constrictor of pharynx.
- Weakness in muscle wall termed Killian’s dehiscence
Management is with Surgery
Mechanism of Zenker’s Diverticulum?
Defect usually posteriorly, but swelling usually bulges to left side of neck.
Therefore food debris, then pouch expansion and dysphagia.
Upper GI endoscopy is potentially hazardous and may result in iatrogenic perforation.