Gastroenterology & Hepatology Flashcards
What is Achalasia and what mechanism underlies it?
Motility disorder of the lower oesophagus
Degeneration of Auerbach’s plexus
-uncoordinated peristalsis
-lower sphincter fails to relax
How does achalasia present?
Dysphagia for both solids AND liquids
Halitosis
Increased risk of SCC
How can achalasia be investigated?
Manometry - high pressure
Barium swallow - Bird’s beak/dilated tapering of oesophagus
How is achalasia treated?
CCB/nitrates
Endoscopic dilation
Heller’s myotomy
What is the MoA of Cyclizine as an anti-emetic and in which circumstances is it effective?
H1 antagonist
GI causes
Emetogenic chemo
PONV
Vestibular causes
What D2 antagonists are commonly used as antiemetics?
Metoclopramide
Haloperidol
Domperidone
Prochlorperazine
In which circumstances are D2 antagonists effective as antiemetics?
GI causes
Emetogenic chemo
Vestibular causes
Opiates
What are the side effects of D2 antagonists?
Prokinetic (not used in BO)
Dystonias
Oculogyric crises
What is the MoA of Ondansetron as an anti-emetic and in which circumstances is it effective?
5-HT3 antagonist
Emetogenic chemo
Surgery
What scoring systems can be used for UGI bleeds?
Rockall
Glasgow-Blatchford
Describe the Rockall score
Risk stratification (mortality)
Done pre/post endoscopy
What criteria make up the Rockall score?
Age
Shock
Co-morbidity
POST-ENDOSCOPY DX
SIGNS OF HAEMORRHAGE ON ENDOSCOPY
Describe the Glasgow-Blatchford Score
Risk stratifies patients for inpatient vs outpatient endoscopy in UGI bleed
What is a Mallory-Weiss tear?
Mucosal tear caused by persistent vomiting or retching
-arterial bleed
-self limiting
What are the complications of a Mallory-Weiss tear?
Generally self limiting
Boerrhave syndrome
What is Boerrhave syndrome?
Oesophageal RUPTURE due to vomiting against closed glottis
How does Boerrhave syndrome present?
SEVERE retrosternal chest pain
Respiratory distress
SC emphysema
-Hamman sign
What is Hamman sign?
Crunching sound on ascultation due ot mediastinal emphysema
What are the common causes of UGI bleeds?
Mallory-Weiss tears
Peptic ulcers
Varices
How can gastric and duodenal ulcers be distinguished?
Gastric ulcers - pain WITH meals
Peptic ulcers (4x more common) - pain AFTER meals
What are the risk factors for gastric ulcers?
H. pylori infection
Smoking
NSAIDs/steroids
Reflux
Delayed gastric emptying
Burns (Curling’s ulcer)
Neurosurgery (Cushing’s ulcer)
What are the risk factors for peptic ulcers?
H. pylori infection
Smoking
NSAIDs/steroids
Increased gastric emptying
Blood group O
What is Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
Gastrin secreting pancreatic adenoma
-associated w/ MEN 1
When should Zollinger-Ellison syndrome be suspected?
Multiple ulcers of stomach/duodenum
FHx
Associated w/ MEN 1
-parathyroid adenoma –> sx hypercalcameia
How should Zollinger-Ellison syndrome be ix?
Gastrin levels
Scintigraphy (octreoscan)
Check for hepatic mets (20%)
Why are post. duodenal ulcers high risk?
Near to gastroduodenal aa
-can erode into it
How should UGI bleeds be managed?
Airway, NBM
IVI + RBC + correct clotting abnormalities
Abx cover
Urgent endoscopy +/-
-endotherapy
-embolisation (IR) or surgery
-sengsataken-blakemore tube
72hrs PPI POST-ENDOSCOPY
If variceal
-Terlipressin
-TIPS
How does Terlipressin work?
Vasoconstriction
-reduces portal pressure
-renoprotective
What is the major s/e of Terlipressin?
Vasoconstriction of coronary vessels
-arrhythmias
-MI
What is the TIPS procedure?
Trans-jugular intrahepatic portal systemic stenting
What are the common s/e of PPIs?
Hyponatraemia/hypomagnesaemia
Diarrhoea (C. diff)
Tubular interstitial nephritis
Osteoporosis
Interacts w/ Clopidogrel
How does GORD present?
Dyspepsia post meals
Water-brash (salivation)
Nocturnal asthma
Chronic cough/sore throat
Sinusitis
What are the two types of hiatus hernia?
Sliding (most common)
Rolling (para-oesophageal)
-higher risk of strangulation
What lifestyle advice should be given for GORD?
Stop smoking
Small regular meals
Reduce hot drinks/EtoH/citrus/spicy food/caffeine
Avoid eating <3hr before bed
Sleep more upright
How can GORD be managed medically?
Antacids
PPI
H2RA if refractory
How can GORD be managed surgically?
Nissen fundoplication
Hiatal hernia repair
What are the common s/e of H2 receptor antagonists?
Diarrhoea/GI upset
Liver dysfunction
CYP450 inhibition - CIMETIDINE ONLY
What are the common causes of dyspepsia?
Ulcers
GORD
Oesophagitis/gastritis/duodenitis
Malignancy
What are the red-flag sx for gastric ca in dyspeptic patients?
ALARMS 55
Anaemia
Wt loss
Anorexia
Recent onset/progressive sx
Melaena/haematemesis
Swallowing difficulties
>55
How should dyspepsia be treated?
If ALARMS 55 +ve - 2ww gastroscopy
If ALARMS 55 -ve
-lifestyle changes and 4/52 review
-if no improvement test/treat H. pylori
How should H. pylori infection be ix?
C13 breath test
How is H. pylori infection treated?
Triple therapy 4/52
-PPI
-Amoxicillin
-Clarithromycin/Metronidazole
How can functional dyspepsia be managed?
PPIs
CBT
Low-dose amitriptylien ON
What is Barrett’s oesophagus?
Metaplasia of stratified squamous to columnar epithelium 2o GORD
-risk of progression to adenocarcinoma
How should Barrett’s oesophagus be managed?
If no dysplasia AND <3cm –> discharge
If no dysplasia AND >3cm –> surveillance every 2-3 years
If low-grade dysplasia –> repeat endoscopy 6/12 +/- RF ablation
If high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma-in situ –> endoscopic resection +/- RF ablation
What are the distinguishing features of Ulcerative Colitis?
Mucosal/submucosal (superficial)
Rectum to caecum (continuous)
LLQ pain w/ bloody diarrhoea
Crypt abscesses
Pseudo-polyps, haustral loss (lead-piping)
Smoking PROTECTS
Middle aged males
What are the distinguishing features of Chron’s?
Full-thickness w/ fissures/fistula
Mouth to anus (skip lesions)
RLQ pain w/ non-bloody darrhoea
Lymphoid aggregates w/ granulomas
Cobblestone appearance, strictures
Smoking INCREASES RISK
M=F
What are the extra-intestinal manifestations of UC?
Arthritis (ank spond)
Uveitis
Erythema nodosum
Pyoderma gangrenosum
PRIMARY SCLEROSING CHOLANGITIS
p-ANCA positive
What are the extra-intestinal manifestations of Chron’s?
Arthritis (ank spond)
Uveitis
Erythema nodosum
Pyoderma gangrenosum
OXALATE STONES (renal colic)
What are the complications of UC?
Toxic megacolon
Ca
What are the complications of Chron’s?
Malabsorption
Fistula
Ca
What is the Truelove-Witts score and what criteria are included in it?
Severity score for UC
-motions/day
-PR bleed
-fever
-resting HR
-Hb
-ESR
What maintenance therapy is used for UC?
Mild - 5-ASA (mesalazine)
Moderate
-steroids (remission) then 5-ASA
-monoclonal biologics
What is the management of severe/acute UC?
Admission
IV/PR steroids
Ciclosporin/Infliximab if poorly responding
Colectomy if not improving/toxic megacolon
What maintenance therapy is used for Chron’s?
Mild/Mod
-steroids PO/PR
-azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine –> methotrexate
-monoclonal biologics
What levels should be checked before starting Azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine in Chron’s?
Thiopurine methyltransferase/TPMT activity
-if low/absent use MTX instead
What surveillance is offered in IBD?
Colonoscopy
-if presenting w/ sx >10 yrs
High risk - every 1 yr
Intermediate risk - every 3 yrs
Low risk - every 5 yrs
How does infective colitis present?
Profuse watery diarrhoea - characteristic smell in C. diff
Raised inflammatory markers/low albumin
Pseuodemembrane on endoscopy
What are the complications of infective colitis?
Ileus –> toxic megacolon (>5.5cm) –> perforation
Complications of diarrhoea/volume loss e.g. AKI
What drugs should be avoided in infective colitis?
Antibiotics
PPIs
Anti-spasmodics
How should infective colitis be managed?
Metronidazole +/- Vancomycin
Colectomy if uncontrolled
How does infective gastroenteritis present?
Predominantly vomiting
More rapid onset
Can cause bloody diarrhoea
What are the common bacterial causes of food poisoning and which foods are they found in?
Campylobacter - poultry
Salmonella - poultry, uncooked eggs
S. aureus - sliced meat, creams
B. cereus - reheated rice/soup
Listeria - unpasteurised milk, refrigerated meat, raw veg
E. coli - unpasteurised milk, raw fruit/veg, undercooked ground beef
Norovirus - shellfish
What are the key characteristics of Norovirus?
1/7 incubation
2/7 D&V
V. infectious - spread by food/contact
Dx - stool antigen
What are the key characteristics of Rotavirus?
1-3/7 incubation
1/52 D&V
Dx - stool antigen
PPx - live vaccine 12/52 & 8y/o
What are the key characteristics of Campylobacter jejuni?
2-5/7 incubation
Dysentery + pain + headache
Tx - Clarithyromcyin/Ciprofloxacin
Cx - Sepsis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, reactive arthritis, GBS, miscarriage
What are the key characteristics of Salmonella?
6hr-3/7 incubation
Dysentery + cramps
Tx - Clarithromycin/Ciprofloxacin
Cx - Sepsis, meningitis, osteomyelitis + septic arthritis