Gastroenterology Flashcards
GI, Pancreas
What is Achalasia?
Disorder of motility of the lower oesophageal sphincter = functional stenosis
What is the common presentation of Achalasia?
Dysphagia worse on eating solid foods
What imaging would you do?
Barium swallow
What would the barium swallow show for achalasia ? (specific sign)
Bird beak sign
What is eosinophilic oesophagitis?
Abundance of eosinophils in the oesophageal lining
What are the causes of EO?
Genetic makeup and bodys response to the environment
What makes someone more likely to have EO?
A history of allergies
What are the symptoms of EO?
Dysphagia and the feeling that food will stick in the throat. (in teens they may also have nausea and not want to eat)
What is a Schatzki ring?
Extension of normal oesophageal tissue containing mucosa and submucosa
Who is this typically found in?
50+ population
Common presentation of Schatzki ring ?
Can be asymptomatic or can present with dysphagia
3 weeks of diarrhoea. He describes it as non-bloody, very loose and foul-smelling. He has also had some mild abdominal pain and a slight fever. He eats takeaways frequently and returned one month ago from a holiday in India. He has no signs of dehydration. The GP requests a stool sample which demonstrates an infective cause of his symptoms.
Giardisis
What is the first line antibiotic treatment for Giardisis?
Metronidazole
What tests would you want to carry out on a person with potential IBD?
Bloods - FBC, U&Es, G&S, coagulation, CRP/ESR
Stool test - calprotectin (raised in IBD not IBS) and microscopy - possible infection
Imaging - colonoscopy/endoscopy
MRI/CT if think complications could be present
What are the main pathological differences between UC and Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s is more patchy and is from mouth to anus including ulcers. The inflammation is in skip patches and is transmural with strictures and fistulas more common with deep fissures and ulceration (cobblestone). As well as non-caseating granulomas and increased macrophages.
UC is confined to the mucosal level and in the colon rectum area primarily. Goblet cells are reduced and their are increased crypt abscesses as well as ulceration and pseudopolyps.
What is the general presentation of IBD?
Diarrhoea (with blood or mucous), abdominal pain and tenderness - lower in UC and general in Crohn’s. In Crohn’s abdominal masses may also be present .
Malaise, anorexia, fever, weight loss.
Extra - eye inflammation, Osteoarthritis, erythema nodosum/pyoderma gangrenosum, clubbing, anaemia
What are the 4 possible medical treatments for IBD - pros and cons?
Amino salicylates (mesalazine 5-ASA) - induction and maintenance. First line for mild/moderate.
Corticosteroids - prednisolone (increase GC). Induction only as can’t be used long term due to S/E’s
Biologics - Infliximab (Anti-TNF⍺), (anti-IL-12/23), (anti A⁴B⁷). Work well especially for progressive disease however do come with lots of side effects. Induce and maintain.
Thiopurines (azathioprine) - induce and maintain. Used to reduce steroid use. TPMT must be nil/reduced prior to starting to reduce risk of myelosuppression.
What are some possible complications of IBD?
Toxic megacolon and perforation Obstruction and strictures (Crohn's) Bleeding/anaemia folate, iron and B12 anaemia in Crohn's (TI) Malabsorption/nutrition Colorectal cancer (UC)
What test is used to determine whether H.Pylori is present?
Carbon-13 breath test
A patient comes into the GP suffering from dyspepsia. What symptoms would you expect as part of this and what would your list of differential diagnoses look like?
Epigastic/retrograde pain and discomfort Reflux Nausea and vomiting GI disease: GORD Peptic ulcer gastric cancer/oesophageal cancer Hiatus hernia
What are the risk factors for GORD and why do these make it more likely?
Hiatus hernia - moving of the Z line making reflux more likely
Obesity/pregnancy = increased intraabdominal pressure
Diet/smoking/alcohol = relaxation of lower oesophageal sphincter
Lower oesophageal dysfunction
H.pylori - increases pepsin
A 40 yr old patient come into the GP with dyspepsia that is worse after eating and when they go to bed. They’ve noticed some regurgitation of food and a bitter taste in their mouth as well as feeling they are belching more than often.No red flags were noted. What is your next step based on the most likely diagnosis and what would be the treatment?
GORD
Lifestyle advice - lose weight, diet, exercise, sleeping with more pillows, smoking or alcohol cessation
Symptom relief - antacids, pepto-bismol, prostaglandins.
Gastric protection and treatment - PPI (omeprazole) or H2 antagonist (Cimetidine)
What possible complication/consequence of GORD do you want to rule out/avoid and what does this mean?
Barretts oesophagus.
Pre-cancerous metaplasia due to acid on the oesophagus causing it to become gastric mucosa. This can then become adenocarcinoma.
How is Barrett’s oesophagus treated?
Local mucosal removal if small. If more general then have ablation which is a cure. If disease is very advanced than surgical resection although this is a big surgery.