Gastroenterology Flashcards
What are the types of hiatal hernias?
What is the most common type?
- Type I (sliding)
- Type II (paraesophageal)
- Type III (mixed)
- Type IV (complex with other organs involved)
Type 1 Sliding
What is the anatomical defect in a sliding hiatal hernia?
The gastroesophageal junction and part of the stomach slide upward through the esophageal hiatus into the thorax
What is the primary risk factor for developing a hiatal hernia?
Increased intra-abdominal pressure, often caused by obesity, heavy lifting, or pregnancy.
What are the potential complications of a paraesophageal hernia?
- Strangulation
- Ischemia
- Obstruction of the stomach
What is the gold standard diagnostic tool for hiatal hernia?
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or barium swallow study
What are the typical symptoms of a sliding hiatal hernia?
GERD symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, or dysphagia
What are the key anatomical landmarks to identify during a hiatal hernia repair?
- Esophageal hiatus
- Gastroesophageal junction
- Crura of the diaphragm
- Vagus nerve
A 45-year-old female presents with a 6-month history of heartburn, regurgitation, and a sensation of food getting stuck in her chest after eating. She denies any weight loss or hematemesis. An upper endoscopy reveals the gastroesophageal junction above the diaphragm with no evidence of esophagitis. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Esophageal cancer
B) Barrett’s esophagus
C) Achalasia
D) Sliding hiatal hernia
Sliding hiatal hernia
The most common hiatal hernia is a sliding type, which can present with GERD-like symptoms. The absence of other alarming features (e.g., weight loss or bleeding) suggests a benign cause like a sliding hiatal hernia.
A 60-year-old male presents with chest pain, postprandial fullness, and vomiting. Physical exam reveals mild epigastric tenderness. A barium swallow study shows part of the stomach located above the diaphragm, while the gastroesophageal junction remains in its normal position. What is the most appropriate next step in management?
A) Proton pump inhibitor therapy
B) Observation with lifestyle modifications
C) Elective surgical repair
D) Urgent endoscopy
Elective Surgical Repair
This is a paraesophageal hernia, which can cause serious complications like strangulation. Elective surgical repair is recommended in paraesophageal hernia’s to prevent these outcomes.
A 67-year-old female with a paraesophageal hernia presents to the emergency room with acute onset of severe chest pain, nausea, and vomiting. Her vitals show tachycardia and hypotension. Abdominal imaging reveals gastric volvulus and signs of ischemia. What is the most appropriate next step in management?
A) Emergency surgical repair
B) Intravenous proton pump inhibitors
C) Barium swallow study
D) Nasogastric decompression
Emergency Surgical Repair
Gastric volvulus is a surgical emergency, and prompt intervention is necessary to prevent further ischemia and necrosis of the stomach.
Approximately 85% of hiatal hernias can be treated effectively with diet modifications and PPI’s, if these treatments are not effective what surgical procedure should be considered?
Laparoscopic Nissen fundopication
What is the most common cause of appendicitis?
Obstruction of the appendiceal lumen, often by a fecalith (hardened stool), lymphoid hyperplasia, or less commonly by tumors or foreign bodies.
What is the classic initial symptom of appendicitis?
Periumbilical pain that later migrates to the right lower quadrant (RLQ) as the inflammation progresses.
What is McBurney’s point?
It is a point located two-thirds of the distance from the umbilicus to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). Tenderness at this point is a classic sign of appendicitis.
What is the most common complication of untreated appendicitis?
Perforation, which can lead to peritonitis or an intra-abdominal abscess.
Which physical exam sign suggests appendicitis if the patient experiences pain upon passive extension of the right hip?
Psoas Sign
What is the typical sequence of symptoms in acute appendicitis?
Periumbilical pain → anorexia → nausea/vomiting → RLQ pain
What imaging modality is most commonly used to diagnose appendicitis in adults?
CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast
What is the treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis?
Appendectomy
What are the typical laboratory findings in acute appendicitis?
Leukocytosis with a left shift (increased neutrophils), but normal labs do not rule out appendicitis
What is the most common cause of emergent abdominal surgery in the United States?
Acute appendicitis
Can you have an abnormal urinanalysis with appendicitis?
Yes, mild hematuria and pyuria are common in appendicitis w/ pelvic inflammation, resulting in inflammation of the ureter
What are the preoperative medications and preperation for an appendectomy?
- Rehydration with IV fluids (LR)
- Preoperative antibiotics with anaerobic coverage
How long after removal of a NONRUPTURED appendix should antibiotics continue post-op?
24 hours
Which antibiotic is used for NONPERFERORATED appendicitis?
What about a perforated appendicitis?
Anaerobic coverage: Cefoxitin, Fefotetan, Unasyn, Cipro, or Flagyl
Broad-Spectrum abx (amp/cipro or zyosyn)
A 32-year-old pregnant female presents with right lower quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting. On physical exam, she has tenderness in the RLQ, and a positive psoas sign. Ultrasound is non-diagnostic. What is the most appropriate next step in management?
A) MRI of the abdomen
B) CT scan of the abdomen with contrast
C) Immediate laparoscopic appendectomy
D) Exploratory laparotomy
MRI of the abdomen
In pregnant patients, MRI is preferred for diagnosis of appendicitis if ultrasound is non-diagnostic, as CT should be avoided due to radiation risks. Surgery is indicated if imaging confirms appendicitis.
A 15-year-old boy presents with diffuse abdominal pain and fever for 2 days. He now has sharp pain in the right lower quadrant, along with nausea and vomiting. On exam, he has rebound tenderness and guarding in the RLQ. His WBC count is 18,000/mm³. What is the most likely complication if his condition is left untreated?
A) Bowel obstruction
B) Appendiceal perforation
C) Pancreatitis
D) Intussusception
Appendiceal perforation
Untreated appendicitis commonly leads to perforation, which may cause peritonitis or an abscess.
What is the first step in treating cholysistitis?
Fluid resuscitation
Patients with acute cholecystitis should be given fluids and IV antibiotics. What are the three most common bugs to cause cholecystitis?
What antibiotics are typically used?
- E. coli
- Klebselia
- Entercococus faecialis
IV ceftriaxone or cipro plus mitronidazole or zosyn
What artery supplies the gallbladder?
Cystic Artery
The cystic artery is a branch of the right hepatic artery that is given off behind the CBD; it lies in Calot triangle, where it divides into an anterior and a posterior branch and supplies the gallbladder
What is Calot’s Triangle?
Calot’s triangle is formed by the inferior surface of the liver (superior border), the cystic duct (inferior border), and the common hepatic duct (medial border); it is a surgical landmark containing the cystic artery and the cystic lymph node (of Lund) within its boundaries.
A 55-year-old male presents with recurrent right upper quadrant abdominal pain and bloating, especially after fatty meals. He has a history of gallstones but no fever or jaundice. Which imaging modality is most appropriate to diagnose chronic cholecystitis in this patient?
Ultrasound
What is the mechanism of action of lactulose?
Reduces absorption of ammonium from the gastrointestinal tract
What is the 3-6-9 rule?
Bowel is considered dilated when dilation is > 3 cm, 6 cm, and 9 cm for the small bowel, large bowel, and cecum, respectively
A previously healthy 8-year-old boy presents to your office with his parents for his annual well-child exam. The parents are wondering about the need for cancer screening, given the patient’s father having a recent diagnosis of colorectal cancer at age 35 years due to familial adenomatous polyposis. Which of the following is the most appropriate guidance?
A) Screening starting at age 10 years
B) Screening starting at age 25 years
C) Screening starting at age 35 years
D) Screening starting at age 50 years
Screening starting at age 10
individuals with a known family history of familial adenomatous polyposis should begin screening with either colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy at age 10 years. Repeat screening is recommended annually until the patient undergoes colectomy, which is the recommended treatment for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.
What surgery is used to treat GERD refractory to medical treatment?
What are the indications for surgery?
Fundoplication
Indications for surgery:
- Intractability (failure of medical treatment)
- Respiratory problems as a result of reflux and aspiration of gastric contents (e.g., pneumonia)
- Severe esophageal injury (e.g., ulcers, hemorrhage, stricture, +/- Barrett’s esophagus)
What is the most specific diagnostic test for acute cholecystitis?
What is the first line imaging modality for cholecystitis?
HIDA Scan
GOLD STANDARD: Perform a radionuclide scanning (HIDA) when clinical suspicion is high with an equivocal ultrasound or when acalculous cholecystitis is suspected. A HIDA scan may be useful if performed during an attack since the scan assesses the patency of the cystic duct
Ultrasound
What is cholecystitis?
Inflammation of the gallbladder, usually as a result of a complication of cholelithiasis (gallstones) and obstruction of the biliary duct by gallstones
What is Murphy’s sign?
Acute RUQ pain/tenderness with palpation with inspiration associated with cholecystitis
What is Boas Sign?
Referred pain to the right subscapular area due to phrenic nerve irritation in cholecystitis
What is the procedure of choice for uncomplicated acute and chronic cholecystitis?
What is the most common composition of stones?
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
cholesterol
Describe Grey-Turner’s Sign?
Flank ecchymosis often related to pancreatitis
Which of the radiologic imaging techniques is the most sensitive in diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocyst?
A) transabdominal ultrasonography
B) contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen
C) magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
D) plain radiograph (abdominal series)
Contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen
A 67-year-old man presents with abdominal pain and fever for the past 2 hours. Physical exam reveals tenderness below the navel and heme-positive stool. Duplex ultrasound is ordered and demonstrates a complete lack of arterial blood flow to the superior mesenteric artery. Which of the following risk factors would you expect to find in this patient’s history?
A) Alcohol use disorder
B) Atrial fibrillation
C) Cholelithiasis
D) Diverticulosis
Atrial fibrillation, this patient has mesenteric ischemia
Risk factors for developing acute mesenteric ischemia include any factors that would place the patient at risk for a thromboembolic event, including a history of atrial fibrillation, recent cardiac catheterization, and valvular heart disease. Patients only occasionally present with the classic triad of abdominal pain, fever, and heme-positive stool.
Which of the following interventions is recommended to decrease the risk of diverticulosis?
A) Avoiding nuts
B) Decreased physical activity
C) High-fiber diet
D) Increased fat intak
High-fiber diet
What is Hesselbach’s triangle?
- Inguinal ligament
- Epigastric vessels
- Lateral border of the rectus sheath
What is Calot’s Triangle?
- Cystic duct
- Common hepatic duct
- Cystic artery
Which parts of the GI tract do not have serosa?
- Esophagus
- Middle and distal rectum
Which dermatone is at the umbilicus?
T10
What are the major layers of an atery?
- Adventitia
- Media
- Intima
What are the actions of cholecystokinin (CCK)?
What inhibits the release of CCK?
- Opens ampulla of Vater
- Empties gallbladder
- Slows gastric emptying
- Stimulates pancreatic acinar cell growth and release of exocrine products
Trypsin and chymotrypsin
What stimulates the release of CCK?
Fat, protein, amino acids, and HCl
What are the actions of secretin?
Where is secretin produced?
- Releases pancreatic bicarbonate/enzymes/H20
- Releases bile/bicarbonate
- Decreases lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tone
- Decreases release of gastric acid
Duodenal cells
What GI hormone globally inhibits GI function when food stimulates its release?
Somatostatin
Where is calcium absorbed?
Doudenum actively, jejunum passively
Where is iron absorbed?
Duodenum
Where is vitamin B12 absorbed?
Terminal ileum
Which hormone primarily controls gallbladder contraction?
CCK
What supplement does a patient need after removal of the terminal ilium or stomach?
Vitamin B12
What is the blood supply of the liver?
75% from the portal vein, rich in products of digestion
25% from the hepatic artery, rich in oxygen
What conditions can mask abdominal pain?
- Steroids
- Diabetes
- Paraplegia
- Opioids
What is the most common cause of acute abdominal surgery in the United States?
Acute appendicitis (7% of the population will develop it sometime during their lives)
During the GI exam, what should go first, auscultation or palpation?
Auscultation
What is the classic position of a patient with peritonitis?
Motion (often with knees flexed)
What is the classic position of a patient with a kidney stone?
Cannot stay still, restless, writhing in pain
What lab tests are used to evaluate the patient with an acute abdomen?
CBC with differential, chem-10, lipase, type and screen, urinalysis, LFT’s
What is a “left shift” on CBC differential?
Sign of inflammatory response: Immature neutrophils (bands)
Note: many call > 80% of WBC’s as neutrophils a “left shift”
What diagnosis must be considered in every patient with an acute abdomen?
Appendicitis
What is a hernia?
Protrusion of a peritoneal sac through a musculoaponeurotic barrier (abdominal wall), a fascial defect
What are the risk factors for hernias?
- Increased intra-abdominal pressure
- Straining at defecation or urination
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Ascitis
- COPD
- Congenital sources
What is more dangerous: a small or large hernia defect?
Small defect is more dangerous because a tight defect is more likely to strangulate if incarcerated
What type of hernia is most commonly seen after gastric bipass surgery?
Petersen’s hernia: internal herniation of small bowel through the mesenteric defect from the Roux limb
What is a parastomal hernia?
Hernia adjacent to an ostomy (e.g. colostomy)
What are the boundaries of Hesselbach’s triangle?
- Lateral:Inferior epigastric vessels
- Inferior:Inguinal ligament (Poupart’s)
- Medial: Lateral border of the rectus abdominis
What nerve runs with the spermatic cord in the inguinal canal?
Ilioinguinal nerve
What is the first identifiable subcutaneous named layer?
Scarpa’s fascia