Gastroenterology Flashcards
What are the common causes of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed?
Peptic ulcer disease, oesophageal varices, oesophagitis, Mallory-Weiss tear, Boerhaave syndrome.
What are the symptoms of upper GI bleed?
Haematemesis, coffee-ground emesis, melena
How is upper GI bleed diagnosed?
OGD (oesophageo-gastro-duodenoscopy)
What is the risk assessment for upper GI bleed?
Blatchford score (at first assessment) and Rockall score (after endoscopy).
What is the treatment for PUD causing upper GI bleed?
Endoscopic therapy ± blood transfusion + IV PPI.
What is the primary treatment for esophageal varices causing upper GI bleed?
Terlipressin IV + endoscopic therapy (EVL) + antibiotic.
How is GORD diagnosed?
Endoscopy (if normal, 24h oesophageal pH monitoring ± manometry).
What are the risk factors for GORD?
Older age, smoking, alcohol, obesity, hiatus hernia, LOS tone-reducing drugs.
What are the complications of GORD?
Oesophagitis, benign stricture, Barrett’s oesophagus.
What is Barrett’s oesophagus and how is it managed?
Metaplasia from stratified squamous to simple columnar epithelium; high-dose PPI, regular endoscopic surveillance if metaplasia.
What are the types of oesophageal cancer?
Adenocarcinoma (lower ⅓), Squamous cell carcinoma (upper ⅔).
What are the symptoms of oesophageal cancer?
Dysphagia, odynophagia, weight loss.
How is oesophageal cancer diagnosed?
Endoscopy with biopsy, staging CT.
What are the ‘ALARM Signs’ for peptic ulcer disease (PUD)?
Anaemia, loss of weight, anorexia, recent onset/progressive symptoms, melaena/haematemesis, swallowing difficulty.
When is endoscopy indicated for PUD?
If >55y and presenting with ‘ALARM Signs’.
What are the risk factors for duodenal ulcers?
H. pylori, NSAIDs, steroids, smoking.
What is the primary symptom of duodenal ulcers?
Right epigastric pain, better on eating, night pain.
How is H. pylori infection diagnosed in PUD?
Endoscopy + H. pylori test (13C-urea breath test or stool antigen).
What is the treatment approach for H. pylori-positive PUD?
Stop PPI for 2w, antibiotics for 4w (PAC500 triple therapy).
What is the primary symptom of gastric ulcers?
Left epigastric pain, worse on eating, weight loss.
What is the diagnostic approach for gastric ulcers?
Endoscopy with biopsy + H. pylori test.
What are the symptoms of gastric cancer?
Epigastric pain, weight loss, dyspepsia, N&V.
What is the treatment for gastric cancer?
Surgery (endoscopic mucosal resection > subtotal gastrectomy > total gastrectomy).
What is Plummer-Vinson syndrome?
Oesophageal webs + iron deficiency anaemia + glossitis; increased risk of SCC oesophagus.
What is achalasia?
Failure of oesophageal peristalsis and LOS relaxation; increased risk of SCC oesophagus.
What are the symptoms of achalasia?
Dysphagia to both solids and liquids, regurgitation, retrosternal pain.
How is achalasia diagnosed?
Endoscopy, barium swallow, oesophageal manometry.
What is the treatment for achalasia?
Heller cardiomyotomy.
What is CREST syndrome?
Calcinosis, Raynaud’s, oEsophageal dysmotility, Sclerodactyly, Telangiectasia; associated with systemic sclerosis causing dysphagia, retrosternal pain.
What are the symptoms of appendicitis?
Colicky → constant periumbilical → RIF pain, pyrexia, anorexia, N&V, may have diarrhea or constipation, worse on moving, dysuria, oliguria.
What is Murphy’s triad in appendicitis?
Pain + Vomiting + Fever.
What is McBurney’s sign in appendicitis?
Pain over McBurney’s point (⅓ distance between ASIS and umbilicus).
How is appendicitis diagnosed?
Bloods (WCC, neutrophils, CRP) + USS or CT.
What is the treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis?
Co-amoxiclav IV + Laparoscopic > Open appendectomy.
What is Crohn’s disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease affecting the entire gastrointestinal tract, with skip lesions, and inflammation involving all layers of the bowel wall.
What are the common symptoms of Crohn’s disease?
Non-bloody diarrhea, weight loss, perianal disease, abdominal tenderness or mass in RIF.
What is diverticulosis?
The presence of asymptomatic diverticula in the colon.
What are the risk factors for diverticulosis/diverticular disease?
> 50y, low dietary fiber.
What is diverticulitis?
Inflammation of the diverticula in the colon.
How is diverticulitis diagnosed?
Bloods (WCC, CRP) + AXR + CT.
What is the primary treatment for uncomplicated diverticulitis?
Conservative - trial of conservatism for 48h (indications below) - NBM, fluids IV, NG tube, catheter.
What are the common complications of Crohn’s disease?
Abscesses, strictures, fistulas, anemia, small bowel cancer, colorectal cancer, osteoporosis.
What is the diagnostic approach for Crohn’s disease?
Colonoscopy with biopsy, faecal calprotectin (pos), barium enema (Kantor’s string sign), ASCA.
How is ulcerative colitis diagnosed?
Colonoscopy (ulceration, pseudopolyps) with biopsy, faecal calprotectin (pos), barium enema (lead pipe colon), p-ANCA.
What are the common extraintestinal manifestations of IBD?
Bones - pauciarticular arthritis, osteoporosis; Skin - pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema nodosum; Eyes - uveitis, episcleritis, scleritis; Other - clubbing, anemia.
What are the symptoms of IBS?
Abdominal pain related to defecation, altered stool frequency, and form, with at least two of: Bloating, Mucus, Worsened by eating, Altered stool passage.
How is celiac disease diagnosed?
tTG (positive) + Duodenal biopsy (villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia, lymphocytic infiltration), need gluten for 6w prior.
What are the symptoms of celiac disease?
Persistent or unexplained GI symptoms, failure to thrive or faltering growth in children, prolonged fatigue, unexpected weight loss, mouth ulcers.
What is Meckel’s diverticulum?
A congenital diverticulum, found in the ileum.
What is the treatment for caecal volvulus?
Laparotomy.
What is the treatment for sigmoid volvulus?
Rigid sigmoidoscopy.
What are the signs of appendicitis on physical examination?
Psoas sign (pain in RIF on right hip extension), Rovsing’s sign (pain in RIF on palpation of LIF), Obturator sign (pain in RIF on internal rotation of right hip).
What are the layers of the bowel wall affected in Crohn’s disease?
Mucosa, submucosa, muscularis propria, and serosa.
What antibodies are associated with Crohn’s disease?
ASCA
What is the lead pipe colon in ulcerative colitis seen on imaging?
A smooth colon appearance without haustral markings, seen on barium enema.
What is the severity classification for ulcerative colitis based on stool frequency and systemic disturbance?
Mild (<4 stools/d + no systemic disturbance), Moderate (4-6 stools/d + minimal systemic disturbance), Severe (>6 stools/d + systemic disturbance).
What is the primary treatment for inducing remission in severe ulcerative colitis?
Steroids IV.
What is the treatment approach for isolated perianal disease in Crohn’s disease?
Metronidazole PO.
What is the diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Symptoms present for ≥6 months, with abdominal pain related to defecation and associated with altered stool frequency and/or form.
What blood tests are done for diagnosing celiac disease?
IgA tTGA (tissue transglutaminase antibody), IgA endomysial antibody.
What is the mainstay of treatment for uncomplicated diverticulosis?
Increase dietary fiber.
What are the symptoms of Meckel’s diverticulum complications?
Haemorrhage, bowel obstruction, diverticulitis.
How is Crohn’s disease diagnosed on colonoscopy?
Cobblestoning, deep ulcers, skip lesions.
What is the primary treatment for complicated diverticulitis with abscess?
Co-amoxiclav PO/IV, managed at home for 72h with PO, admission needed after 72h for IV if persistent.
What is the mainstay treatment for maintaining remission in Crohn’s disease?
Azathioprine PO.
What is the treatment for refractory or fistulating Crohn’s disease?
Infliximab PO.
What are the extraintestinal manifestations of Crohn’s disease in the skin?
Pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema nodosum.
What are the two main causes of acute mesenteric ischemia, and which is the most common?
Arterial embolism (#1) and arterial thrombosis.
What is the classic presentation of chronic mesenteric ischemia?
Postprandial pain, weight loss, and vascular comorbidities.
Which part of the colon is most commonly affected in ischaemic colitis?
Splenic flexure.
What is the significance of CEA in colorectal cancer?
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker for monitoring colorectal cancer. Elevated levels can indicate the presence or recurrence of adenocarcinoma.
What is the recommended screening test for colorectal cancer in individuals aged 60-74, and how often is it done?
Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) every 2 years.
What is the primary treatment for a patient with rectal cancer?
High anterior resection/sigmoid colectomy (colo-rectal).