Gastroenterology Flashcards
Acute causes of diarrhoea?
Gastroenteritis
Diverticulitis = LLQ and fever
Antibiotic therapy
Constipation causing overflow = Hx of alternating diarrhoea and constipation
Chronic causes of diarrhoea?
IBS = Abdo pain, bloating and change in bowel habit
UC = Bloody diarrhoea and crampy abdominal pain
Crohns = Cramby abdo pain + malabsorption, obstruction, mouth ulcers and perianal disease
Coeliacs
Staph aureus gastroenteritis typical Hx, incubation and management ?
Meat and eggs, no fever / abdo pain.
Severe vomiting
1-6 hours
Self limiting
B. Cereus gastroenteritis typical Hx, incubation and management ?
Rice.
vomiting or diarrhoea
6-12 hours
Self limiting
Salmonella gastroenteritis typical Hx, incubation and management ?
Source = pets or food
Nausea, fever and vomiting
12-48 hours
self-limiting, if persists = ciprofloxacin
E. Coli gastroenteritis typical Hx, incubation and management ?
Travellers diarrhoea Contaminated food Watery stools and abdominal cramps No fever HUS....
12-48 hours
Avoid antibiotics
Listeria gastroenteritis typical Hx, incubation and management ?
Refrigerated food
Fever, watery diarrhoea and cramps
12-48 hours
Ampicillin
Shigella gastroenteritis typical Hx, incubation and management ?
Children at nursery
Water diarrhoea progressing to bloody mucoid diarrhoea
Vomiting and abdo pain
2-3 days
Avoid antibiotics, ciprofloxacin if needed
Campylobacter gastroenteritis typical Hx, incubation and management ?
Meat and dairy
Flu like prodrome, followed by severe abdominal pain and fever
2-3 days
Self limiting
Only treat if immunocompromised = Macrolide e.g. erythromycin
Complication = GBS
V. Cholera gastroenteritis typical Hx, incubation and management ?
Water and food with human faeces e.g. shell fish
Rice water stool
1 week
treat the fluid losses
Giardiasis gastroenteritis typical Hx, incubation and management ?
Endemic area travel = Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia
Prolonged non-bloody diarrhoea
Steatorrhoea
Flatulence and cramps, no fever
1 week
Metronidazole
Amoebiasis gastroenteritis typical Hx, incubation and management ?
Flask shaped ulcer
Gradual onset bloody diarrhoea and abdo pain. Can last weeks
1 week
Metronidazole and Paromomycin in luminal disease
Associated antibiotics with C. Diff diarrhoea?
Cephalosporins
Cipro
Clindamycin
Clinical features of C. Diff diarrhoea?
Mild diarrhoea
Pseudomembranous colitis
= severe systemic features, abdo pain and bloody diarrhoea
Management of C. Diff diarrhoea?
Stop causative antibiotics and fluids
Metronidazole 400mg TDS PO for 2 weeks
2nd line = Vancomycin 125mg QDS PO
If severe = vancomycin first then add metronidazole
What bowel histology do you see in laxative abuse?
Melanosis coli
What is IBS?
Chronic condition characterised by abdominal pain associated with bowel dysfunction, but no organic cause identified
Clinical features of IBS?
Abdo pain and bloating
Combo of diarrhoea and constipation
Worse on eating, relieved by defecation
What are the ROME criteria for IBS?
Abdo discomfort for >12 weeks, which has 2 of:
Relieved by defecation
Change in stool frequency
Change in stool form
Plus two of:
Urgency Incomplete evacuation Abdo bloating / distension Mucous PR Worsening symptoms after food
ROME exclusion criteria for IBS?
>40 bloody stool Anorexia Weight loss Diarrhoea at night
Management of IBS?
Exclude other diagnosis with investigations
Conservative = reassure and educate
Eliminate any triggers e.g. caffeine. Increase fibre
CBT
Medical:
Diarrhoea dominant = Loperamide 4mg PO OD
Constipation dominant = Lactulose
what is coeliacs?
Genetic associations
Genetic autoimmune condition caused by sensitivity to the protein gluten = immune activation in the small intestine
HLA- DQ2 and DQ8
What associated conditions also need screening for coeliacs?
Autoimmune thyroid Dermatitis herpetiformis IBS T1DM 1st degree relative with coeliacs
Clinical features of coeliacs?
GLIAD
G – GI = malabsorption:
Carbs - weight loss, fatigue and distension
fat = steatorrhoea
haematinics - anaemic
vitamins - osteoporosis, B2 = angular stomatitis
L – Lymphoma enteropathy T-cell associated
I – Immune
IgA deficiency
T1DM
A – Anaemia
D - Derm = dermatitis herpetiformis = very itchy vesicles on extensor surface
Investigations for coeliacs?
Bloods - FBC, LFT’s, INR (don’t absorb Vit k), bone profile
Antibodies 1st line = anti-TTG (but low with exclusion diet or IgA deficiency)
Jejunal biopsy = sub-villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia and intra-epithelial lymphocytes
Management of coeliacs?
Lifelong gluten avoidance
Ok = maize, corn and rice
Pneumovax as hyposplenism
Dermatitis herpetiformis = dapsone
Macroscopic features of UC?
Rectum to ileocaecal valve
Continuous
No strictures or fistulas
Macroscopic features of Crohns?
Mouth to anus, patchy
Strictures and fistulas
Microscopic features of UC?
Mucosal inflammation, not beyond the submucosa
Crypt abscesses
Broad shallow ulcers + pseudo-polyps
NO fibrosis
Microscopic features of Crohn’s?
Transmural = all layers
Goblet cells and granulomas
Deep and thin cobblestone ulcers
FIBROSIS
UC clinical features?
30’s, smoking protects
Diarrhoea with blood + mucous
LLQ pain
Anal symptoms = Tenesmus and faecal urgency
Extra-abdominal:
PSC + cholangiocarcinoma
Uveitis
Pyoderma gangrenosum
Crohns clinical features?
20’s, smoking increases risk
Non-bloody diarrhoea (commonest PC in adults) Abdominal pain (commonest PC in kids) RIF mass and obstruction
Extra-abdominal:
Mouth = apthous ulcers
Gallstones and renal stones
Perianal disease
Episcleritis
Complications of UC?
Toxic megacolon = >6cm
Bleeding
Malignancy = cholangiocarcinoma and colorectal
Complications of Crohns?
Fistula
Strictures = obstruction
Abscesses
Malabsortpion = Steatorrhoea, B12 - megaloblastic anaemia
Investigations in IBD?
FBC - anaemia, malabsorption = B12 and folate down
AXR = toxic megacolon
Stool microscopy to rule out infective causes
Crohns specific investigations?
CROHNS: Small bowel enema: - Skip lesions Strictures = Kantors string sign Proximal bowel dilation Fistulae Rose thorn ulcers and cobblestoning
UC specific investigations?
Barium enema:
Loss of haustrations
Superficial ulceration = pseudo polyps
Drainpipe colon
Truelove and Witts criteria for UC?
Mild = <4 stools ± blood. No systemic features
moderate = 4-6 stools with mild systemic disturbances
Severe = >6 stools, with blood. Systemic disturbance
Management of severe acute flair up of UC?
Admit
ABC
IV hydration and NBM
Medical:
IV hydrocortisone 100mg 6-hourly
If refractory = no response within 3 days = Ciclosporin IV
Still refractory = surgery
If improvement = switch to oral prednisolone
Inducing remission in UC?
For distal colitis = rectal mesalazine
1st line = Oral mesalazine
2nd line if refractory to mesalazine for 4 weeks = Oral prednisolone
3rd line if refractory to steroids for 4 weeks = Tacrolimus PO
Maintaining remission in UC?
Distal colitis = daily topical mesalazine ± oral mesalazine
1st line = mesalazine maintenance dose
2nd line:
if > 2 exacerbations in 1 year requiring steroids / mesalazine doesn’t maintain remission =
Azathioprine or mercaptopurine
3rd line = infliximab / adalimumab
Surgery in UC;
Emergency indications
Elective surgery indications
Surgery types
Emergency indications?
- Toxic megacolon
- Perforation
- Massive haemorrhage
Elective indications?
- Refractory to medical treatment
- Malignancy
Surgeries:
SUBTOTAL COLECTOMY: (leaving the rectum) –> end ileostomy ± mucus pouch
Can later on carry out proctectomy removing the rectum and forming and ileo-anal pouch. Will leave a defunctioning loop ileostomy to allow anastomoses to heal
Will then do a third operation to heal the loop ileostomy
PANPROCTOCOLECTOMY:
Take out whole colon, rectum and anus. Permanent end ileostomy
rarely = Total colectomy leaving rectum and forming ileoanal anastomoses
Crohns acute attack management?
Admit, ABC, NBM and IV fluids
IV hydrocortisone and metronidazole
Refractory = methotrexate
Improvement = switch to oral prednisolone 40mg PO OD and taper
Inducing remission in Crohns?
STOP SMOKING
Medical:
1st line = prednisolone monotherapy
2nd line = sulfasalazine
3rd line = Mercatopurine / azathioprine - ADD ONS NOT MONOTHERAPY
If can’t tolerate consider methotrexate
4th line = Infliximab / adalimumab
Crohns maintaining remission?
STOP SMOKING
1st line = azathioprine / mercaptopurine as MONOTHERAPY
Consider methotrexate if it was needed for induction.
Surgery in Crohns:
Emergency and elective indications?
Procedures?
Emergency = obstruction, perforation or massive haemorrhage
Elective = refractory to medicine or malignancy
Abscess
Fistula
Options:
Limited resection
Stricturoplasty
Causes of constipation?
POINTED
Pain e.g. anal fissure
Obstruction:
Mechanical = Adhesions, strictures, hernia, malignancy
Pseudo-obstruction = post-op ileum
IBS
Neuro = MS, cauda equina
Toxins = opioids
Endocrine = hypothyroid, low calcium
Diet / dehydrated
Management of constipation - conservative?
Drink more and increase dietary fibre
Increase exercise and activity
Treat cause
Medical management of constipation?
1st line = bulk forming laxative e.g. isphagula. Must drink lots of fluids
2nd line = add osmotic laxative e.g. macrogol
If soft stool but difficult to pass add a stimulant laxative
Gradually reduce and stop laxatives until soft stool with no straining at least 3 times a week
Management of faecal loading / impaction?
If hard = high dose macrogol
Soft = Few days macrogol then stimulant
Poor response = suppository or enema
Causes of dysphagia?
Inflammatory = tonsillitis, GORD, oral candidiasis
Mechanical: LUMINAL = food bolus MURAL = Benign stricture e.g. Plummer vinson, malignant strictures and pharyngeal pouch EXTRA-MURAL: Lung cancer Goitre Aortic aneurysm
Motility disorders:
Achalasia
Systemic sclerosis
MND
Dysphagia + weight loss, anorexia and vomiting during eating.
PMHx of barrets / GORD / excess smoking and drinking
Oesophageal cancer
dysphagia + Hx of heartburn, odynophagia but no weight loss / systemic
GORD
Dysphagia + History of HIV / steroid use
Candidiasis
Dysphagia of both liquids and solids from the start.
Increased lower oesophageal sphincter pressure
Achalasia
Also get bird beak on barium swallow
Dysphagia in older man, midline lump that gurgles on palpation
Pharyngeal pouch
Dysphagia with telangiectasia and fat fingers?
CREST
Intermittent dysphagia ± chest pain.
Barium swallow = corkscrew
Diffuse oesophageal spasm
Dysphagia with solids > liquids at the start
Stricture
Dysphagia with iron deficiency anaemia and glossitis
Plummer vinson
What is achalasia?
Failure of both oesophageal peristalsis and relaxation of lower oesophageal sphincter due to degeneration of auerbachs plexus = LOS contracted = oesophagus dilates due to food backlog
Investigations in achalasia?
Manometry = increased LOS tone
Barium swallow = grossly expanded oesophagus, fluid level and birds beak
Management of achalasia?
intra-sphincteric injection of botulinum
Heller cardiomyotomy = laparoscopic procedure where oesophageal muscle is cut out, inner lining left intact
Balloon dilation
What is a pharyngeal pouch?
Outpouching of oesophagus between the upper border of cricopharynxgeus muscle and lower border of inferior constrictor of pharynx = Killians dehiscence
Management of pharyngeal pouch?
Surgical excision and endoscopic stapling
What is a peptic ulcer?
A break in the mucosal lining of the stomach / duodenum >5mm in diameter with depth to submucosa
Smaller than 5mm = erosion
Causes of peptic ulcers?
Dudodenal = H. Pylori Stomach = NSAID use
Rarer causes = Zollinger Ellison = gastric acid secretion due to a gastrin secreting neuroendocrine tumour
Clinical features of gastric vs duodenal ulcer?
Gastric = pain worse on eating, relieved by antacids. Weight loss
Duodenal = pain is before meals and at night. Relived by eating / milk
Complications of peptic ulcer disease?
Upper GI bleed = Haematemesis of malaena.
Ulcer erodes through gasproduodenal vessel
Perforation = erosion through wall into peritoneal cavity.
Generally in elderly taking NSAIDS.
Shock and peritonitis
Gastric outflow obstruction = due to pyloric stenosis after ulcer healing with scarring.
Management of peptic ulcer disease?
Conservative = stop causative drugs, smoking and drinking. lose weight
Medical:
If H.Pylori - eradication
No H Pylori = 20mg omeprazole PO BD for 2 months
2nd line = ranitidine 300mg
What is GORD?
Symptoms or complications secondary to reflux of the gastric contents into the oesophagus
RF’s for GORD?
Smoking, alcohol Obesity Hiatus hernia Hellers cardiomyotomy Pregnancy
Complications of GORD?
Ulcers
Benign stricture
Barrett’s oesophagus = intestinal metaplasia of squamous epithelium.
Metaplasia to dysplasia to adenocarcinoma in power 3rd of the oesophagus
GORD management?
Conservative = lose weight, stop smoking and drinking
Medical:
Full dose PPI for 2 months = omeprazole 20mg PO OD
2nd line = double dose BD
3rd line = ranitidine
Surgical options for GORD?
Nissen fundoplication:
Indications = severe symptoms refractory
Laparoscopic
Mobilise the gastric fungus, wrap it around the lower oesophagus. Whilst closing any diaphragmatic hernias
What is a hiatus hernia and the types?
Herniation of part of the stomach through the diaphragm
Sliding = 95% = GOJ moves above the diaphragm
Rolling = 5% = GOJ remains below the diaphragm but a separate part of the stomach herniates through the oesophageal hiatus
Investigations and management of hiatus hernia?
CXR = gas bubble and fluid level
Barium swallow = diagnostic
Lose weight, manage the GORD
If refractory = repair the hernia
Repair rolling hernia even if asymptomatic as risk of strangulation
Differentials of haematemesis?
OESOPHAGEAL:
Varices Oesophagitis Mallory-Weiss Boerhaaves Malignancy
GASTRIC:
PUD
Dieulafoys lesions
Gastric tumours
Large fresh haematemesis, chronic liver disease / alcoholic
Varices
What causes varices?
Portal HTN causes dilated veins at site of porto-systemic anastomoses - often the left gastric and inferior oesophageal
Portal HTN causes?
Pre-hepatic = portal vein thrombosis
Hepatic = Cirrhosis and schistosomiasis
Post-hepatic = budd chiari
Small amount of fresh blood, sometimes streaks vomit. Heartburn. No other features
Oesophagitis
Haematemesis following vomiting, small amount of blood
Mallory-Weiss tear
Mucosal tear, often ceases spontaneously
Large haematemesis following vomiting
Boerhaave’s
Full mucosal tear
2cm proximal to LOS