GASTROENTEROLOGY + GEN SURGERY Flashcards
What are some causes of dysphagia?
- Inflammatory = tonsilitis, pharyngitis, oesophagitis, oral candidiasis, aphthous ulcers
- Neuro/motility disorders = achalasia, diffuse oesophageal spasm, bulbar/pseudobulbar palsy, systemic sclerosis, MG
- Mechanical = foreign body, benign stricture, oesophageal web, malignant stricture, pharyngeal pouch, hiatus hernia (rolling), lung cancer
What is the crucial investigation required in pts presenting with dysphagia?
ENDOSCOPY
What are the ALARMS symptoms?
A - anaemia (IDA) L - loss of weight A - anorexia R - recent onset/progressive onset M - malaena/haematemesis S - swallowing problems
What are the symptoms of oesophageal cancer?
- progressive dysphagia
- initially solids, progressing to liquids
- odynophagia
- retrosternal chest pain
- hoarseness
- occassional cough
WEIGHT LOSS
How do you investigate someone with suspected oesophageal cancer?
- OGD with biopsy - mucosal lesion, adenocarcinoma/SCC
- Comprehensive metabolic profile
- Hypokalaemia
- Raised creatinine
- Raised serum urea/nitrogen - CT Thorax + abdomen for staging
What are the clinical features of an oesophageal web?
- intermittent solid food dysphagia
- associated odynophagia
How do you manage oesophageal webs?
Dilatation of the webs
What is a benign oesophageal stricture? How does it present?
Occurs when stomach acid + other irritants damage lining of oesophagus over time. Leading to inflammation + scar tissue formation.
- progressive dysphagia to solids
- associated with chronic GORD
- may be hx of corrosive indigestion, radiation exposure or trauma
What are the clinical features of pharyngeal pouch?
5x more common in men
- odynophagia
- regurgitation
- chronic cough
- aspiration
- neck swelling which gurgles on palpation
- halitosis
What oesophageal disorder is commonly misdiagnosed as ACS?
OESOPHAGEAL SPASM
- as has spontaneous intermittent chest pain + dysphagia
How is oesophageal spasm diagnosed + managed?
Barium swallow shows abnormal contractions e.g. corkscrew contractions
- managed with CCBs e.g. nifedipine
What are the clinical features of achalasia?
- dysphagia to solids AND liquids from the start
- regurgitation
- gradual weight loss
- retrosternal pressure/pain
How do you investigate suspected achalasia?
- Upper GI endoscopy
- Barium swallow
- loss of peristalsis + delayed oesophageal emptying
- beak-like gastro-oesophageal junction - Oesophageal manometry
- incomplete relaxation of LES + aperistalsis - CXR - fluid level in dilated oesophagus (absence of gastric gas bubble)
How is achalasia managed?
- Endoscopic pneumatic dilatation or heller’s cardiomyotomy
- CCBs to manage symptoms while waiting for surgery
- Botulinum toxin can be injected if not suitable for surgery
What are the typical clinical features of oesophageal candidiasis?
- dysphagia
- odynophagia
- hx of HIV or steroid inhaler use
How do you manage oesophageal candidiasis?
- Fluconazole
2. Itraconazole
What are some common differentials for pts presenting with dypepsia?
- functional dyspepsia
- h.pylori infection
- GORD + oesphagitis
- PUD
- Gastroparesis
- Gastritis + duodenitis
- UGI malignancy
What are the 2ww rules for people with suspected UGI cancer?
Urgent upper GI endoscopy in those with - Dysphagia OR - Aged 55 or over with weight loss + any one of: > upper abdo pain > reflux > dyspepsia
What are risk factors for developing peptic ulcer disease?
- h.pylori infection
- steroid use
- NSAIDs
- SSRIs
- Smoking
- Hx/FHx
What investigations should be performed in suspected peptic ulcer disease?
- H.pylori urea breath test or stool antigen test (if under 55)
- Upper GI endoscopy - PPI must be stopped for 2 wks before
- CLO test (rapid urease test) - test for h.pylori via endoscopy
- FBC - indication as to presence of UGI bleed
- Fasting serum gastrin level - hypergastrinaemia in Zollinger-Ellison
How do you manage PUD in patients with no red flag symptoms?
- Detect + treat H.pylori
- Advise to STOP smoking, NSAIDs, alcohol, drug abuse + aspirin
- Use PPI/H2 for 4-8wks, consider for longer until ulcer has resolved
When is triple therapy for h/pylori eradication indicated? What is used?
Under 55y + tested +ve or over 55y with confirmed gastric ulcer
Use:
- clarithromycin
- amoxicillin (metronidazole if penicillin allergic)
- PPI
What are some causes of upper GI bleed?
COMMON:
- oesophageal varices
- peptic ulcers
- Mallory-weiss tear
- Gastritis/erosions
- drugs
- cancer of stomach/duodenum
- oesophagitis
RARE:
- bleeding disorders, portal hypertensive gastropathy, Boerhaave syndrome, angiodysplasia, meckel’s diverticulum, peutz-jeghers syndrome
What is the Glasgow Blatchford score? What is it used for?
Assess the likelihood that a person with UGI bleed will need medical intervention e.g. blood transfusion or endoscopic intervention
- score of more than 0 suggests need e.g. transfusion, endoscopy, biopsy etc
What is the management of an acute UGI bleed? (HINT: ABATED)
A - ABCDE + rhesus B - Bloods - FBC: IDA, platelets - U+E: raised urea - LFT: ?liver disease - Clotting - Crossmatch 2 units blood A - Access with 2-large bore cannulae T - Transfuse E - Endoscopy - URGENT w/in 24h D - Drugs: IV PPI, stop anticoagulants + NSAIDs - In variceal bleeds also give terlipressin + prophylactic broad spectrum Abx
What is the definitive management/investigations for UGI bleed?
- ENDOSCOPY
- within 4h for variceal haemorrhage
- within 24h for all others
- will help estimate risk of re-bleed + identify bleeding sites - Treatment options
- depends on cause
- sclerotherapy, variceal banding, argon plasma coagulation
What are some causes of oesophageal varices?
PRE-HEPATIC
- thrombosis (portal or splenic vein)
HEPATIC
- cirrhosis, schistosomiasis, sarcoid, myeloproliferative disease, congenital hepatic fibrosis
POST-HEPATIC
- Budd-Chiari syndrome, RHF, Constrictive pericarditis, veno-occlusive disease
When would you suspect varices as a cause of UGI bleed?
- Alcohol abuse
- Cirrhosis present
- Signs of chronic liver disease
- encephalopathy, splenomegaly, ascites, hyponatraemia, coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia
What primary + secondary prophylactic management can be given for oesophageal varices?
PRIMARY (cirrhosis present)
- propranolol 40-80mg BD
- endoscopic band ligation
SECONDARY (after 1st bleed)
- propranolol 40-80mg BD
- endoscopic band ligation
- transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS)
How do you manage bleeding peptic ulcers?
- Control initially with adrenaline injection
- Diathermy, laser coagulation or heat probe
- Surgery in severe haemorrhage/re-bleeding
What are some conditions which can pre-dispose patients to Mallory-Weiss tear?
- alcoholism
- bulimia nervosa
- GORD
- hiatal hernia
How do you manage a Mallory-Weiss tear?
- If bleeding stops spontaneously, conservative treatment sufficient
- Control precipitating factors e.g. PPI in GORD
- Treat haemodynamic instability if present
- Surgical intervention if actively bleeding lesion
- adrenaline injection
- electrocoagulation
- endoscopic band ligation
What are the typical triad of features in Boerhaaves?
- Vomiting/retching
- Severe retrosternal pain - often radiates to back
- Subcutaneous or mediastinal emphysema
How do you manage Boarhaaves?
- Nil by mouth
- Broad spectrum Abx
- IV PPI
- Surgical repair
What are the red flags for a change in bowel habit?
- Aged over 60y
- Unexplained anaemia
- Weight loss
- Rectal bleeding
What are the 2ww rules for suspected colorectal cancer?
- Aged 40 or over with weight loss + abdo pain
- Aged 50 or over with unexplained rectal bleeding
- Aged 60 or over with IDA OR change in bowel habit
- FOB
What are some causes of gastroenteritis? Who do each type tend to affect?
NOROVIRUS = most common in adults ROTAVIRUS = most common in kids E.COLI = travellers, watery stool GIARDIASIS = prolonged non-bloody CAMPYLOBACTER = bloody diarrhoea, flu-like prodrome, risks GBS
What investigations should be done in patients with gastroenteritis?
- Clinical examination
- U+E - raised Na + urea (dehydration)
- Blood glucose - required before starting fluids
- Stool MC+S if:
- recent travel abroad
- blood or mucus
- immunocompromised
- no improvement by day 7
- suspected septicaemia - Blood culture - if starting Abx
How do you manage gastroenteritis?
- Attempt fluid challenge
- ORS or IV fluids
- Loperamide/Metoclopramide
- Abx if bacterial
- campylobacter = erythromycin
- c.difficile = metronidazole + vancomycin - AVOID work/school for 48h after symptoms resolve
What patients should be tested for coeliacs disease even if they have no typical symptoms?
All newly diagnosed T1DM
What are the clinical features of ischaemic colitis?
- lower left sided abdominal pain
- bloody diarrhoea
What investigations are performed in suspected ischaemic colitis?
- CT
- Colonoscopy with biopsy = GOLD STANDARD
- Barium enema - thumbprinting of submucosal swelling
How do you manage ischaemic colitis?
- Fluid replacement
- Abx
- strictures are common!
What are the signs + symptoms of Crohns disease?
SYMPTOMS
- abdominal pain (diffuse or RUQ), non-bloody diarrhoea, nocturnal diarrhoea, perianal lesions
SIGNS:
- aphthous ulcers
- perianal abscess, fistula, skin tags
- anal stricture
- clubbing, arthritis, episcleritis/uveitis
- pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema nodosum
What investigations should you perform in suspected Crohn’s disease?
- FBC - anaemia
- Faecal calprotectin
- Iron studies
- Serum B12
- CRP/ESR
- Stool testing - r/o c.diff
- Abdo x-ray
- CT abdomen
- Colonoscopy (+biopsy) = definitive.
- skip lesions, cobblestoning, deep ulcers - OGD (affects whole GI tract)
How do you manage Crohns? (How to induce remission + maintain)
MUST STOP SMOKING! INDUCING REMISSION: 1. Steroids (oral prednisolone, IV hydrocortisone) 2. Azathioprine 3. Methotrexate
MAINTENANCE:
- Azathioprine
- Methotrexate
Where does UC affect?
Always starts at rectum + never spreads beyond ileocaecal valve
- disease is also continuous
What are the symptoms + signs of Ulcerative Colitis?
SYMPTOMS:
- episodic/chronic diarrhoea (blood + mucus)
- crampy abdo pain (LLQ)
- Increased frequency + urgency of motions
- Blood in stool
- Tenesmus
SIGNS:
- clubbing
- arthritis/spondylitis
- erythema nodosum
- episcleritis/uveitis
- pyoderma gangrenosum
What investigations should be performed in suspected ulcerative colitis?
- Bloods - FBC, U+E, LFT, ESR, CRP
- LFT should be done every 6-12 months to detect PSC
- U+E = hypokalaemic metabolic acidosis from diarrhoea - Faecal calprotectin
- Stool MC+S - r/o c.diff
- AXR - toxic megacolon if colon more than 6cm
- Colonoscopy/Flexi sig - rectal involvement, continuous, loss of vascular markings
- Biopsy - no inflammation beyond submucosa!, crypt abscesses, reduced goblet cells
- Barium enema (only if mild UC) = drainpipe colon
What is used to determine severity of UC? Describe mild, moderate + severe,
Truelove + Witts Severity Assessment
(i) MILD = 4 or less motions/day
(ii) MODERATE = 4-6 motions/day
(iii) SEVERE = 6 or more motions/day + fever + blood + raised ESR + tachycardia + anaemia
How do you induce remission in UC?
MILD-MODERATE:
- Aminosalicylate (topical mesalazine)
- Topical steroid/oral mesalazine
- Oral steroids or tacrolimus
SEVERE
- IV hydrocortisone
- IV ciclosporin
- Colectomy
How do you maintain remission in UC?
- Oral + topical mesalazine
- Azathioprine
Surgery indicated in perforation, massive haemorrhage, toxic dilatation, failed medical therapy
- 1st = proctocolectomy + terminal ileostomy
- followed by colectomy + ileo-anal pouch (J pouch)
What are some causes of rectal bleeding?
- Haemorrhoids - most common
- Colorectal cancer - most serious
- Anal fissure
- Gastroenteritis
- IBD
- Diverticular disease
- Angiodysplasia
- UGI bleed
What are risk factors for developing anal fissures?
- constipation
- IBD
- STI: HIV, syphillis, herpes
How do you manage anal fissures? Both acute + chronic.
ACUTE (less than 6 wks)
- High-fibre diet + fluid intake
- Bulk forming laxative (methylcellulose), then lactulose
- Lubricants
- Topical anaesthesics
CHRONIC
- Lactulose
- Topical GTN or diltiazem
- 2ndary care referral after 8 wks for IVA + botox