Gastroenterology_Medicine & Surgery Flashcards
Causes of hepatic decompensation in CLD? Key features of decompensation?
Dx & Mx of decompensated chronic liver disease?
Cause of hepatic decompensation in CLD:
- Hypokalaemia
- Constipation (given lactulose in hospital)
- Alcohol
- GI bleed (lots of protein (Hb) enters the bowel –>liver can’t cope)
- HCC
Decompensated CLD –> Ascites, jaundice & encephalopathy
- Severely scarred liver (cirrhosis) in CLD –> back pressure on portal vein –> PORTAL HTN = splenomegaly, ascites, varices - caput medusae, oesophageal & rectal
Ix:
-
Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient (SAAG) - serum albumin conc vs ascites conc - 11.1g/L
- <11.1g/L = exudative cause - peritonitis (infection), peritoneal malignancy OR n_ephrotic syndrome_ (pee out albumin so low serum albumin)
- Otherwise = transudative cause - cirrhosis, renal failure, HF
- >250 neutrophils = spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) –> Tazocin/3rd gen cephalosporin
- If protein conc <15g/L give prophylactic oral ciprofloxacin
Mx:
- Paracentesis (ascitic drain) –> post-paracentesis circulatory dysfunction (drops BP) SO if >5L drained give human albumin solution (HAS) 8g/L drained
- Spironolactone (2nd line - Furosemide) - to prevent fluid accumulation
- (Salt restrict)
- Hepatic encephalopathy (liver not dealing with toxins) - give Lactulose + Rifaximin to prevent
- Coagulopathy - OGD (check for varices) + vit K (needed for clotting)
Chronic liver disease
- Functions of liver? Outcome of failure?
- Causes? Presentation? Ix?
- Important complication?
- Scoring?
Functions of the liver –> failure:
- Albumin (plasma oncotic pressure) –> oedema
- Bilirubin metabolism –> jaundice
- Clotting factors –> coagulopathy
- Detoxification –> encephalopathy
Causes:
- Common - alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis, NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis)
- Less common - AI hepatitis, PSC/PBC, HF, alpha1-antitrypsin def, haemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease
Presentation:
- Spider naevi (≥5, SVC distribution, flush inside to out), palmar erythema, gynecomastia, Dupuytren’s contracture (alcoholic liver disease), clubbing
- Specific signs:
- Needle marks/tattoos - hep C
- Parotid swelling - alcohol-related liver disease
- Bronzed complexion/insulin injection signs - haemochromatosis
- Obesity/DM - non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Xanthelasma - cholestatic disorder
Ix:
- Alcohol history
- Hep B/C serology
- Ferritin, transferrin, A1AT, ceruloplasmin (Wilson’s)
- Ig, auto-abs (ANA in AI hep, AMA in PBC)
Important complication = VARICES
- Normal venous return: GI tract –hepatic portal vein –> liver –> hepatic vein –> systemic circulation
- Physiological hepatosystemic anastomoses (connection of portal vein to systemic circulation) sites - oesophagus, spleen, umbilicus, rectum
- MEMORY AID: BUTT, GUT, CAPUT
- Pathological process:
- In the case of cirrhosis - nodules impede flow of blood through the liver to the hepatic vein –> reducing blood flow to the systemic circulation
- Backflow of blood to the hepatic portal vein = increased –> backflow to hepatosystemic anastomoses:
- Oesophagus –> Oesophageal varices
- Spleen –> Splenomegaly
- Umbilicus –> Caput Medusae
- Only from portal HTN if running from below umbilicus up
- Rectum –> Rectal varices
Score for prognosis & need for liver transplant = Child-pugh score (A = 5-6; B = 7-9; C = 10-15 –> C is most severe)
Jaundice breakdown & causes by type & Ix to differentiate
Pre-hepatic - unconjugated bilirubin comes from breakdown of RBCs
- Haemolysis related-causes (excess prod) - AIHA, SCD, G6PD def, malaria
- Ix:
- Bloods: excess unconjugated bilirubin (exceeds capacity of liver to conjugate it)
- Urine: normal (unconjugated bilirubin is insoluble)
- Stool: normal as liver functioning normally
Hepatic - bilirubin absorbed into liver –> conjugated –> excreted via biliary tract into duodenum
- Liver disease related-causes - cirrhosis, hepatitis, Gilbert’s syndrome, drugs
- Ix:
- Bloods: high unconjugated (liver less able to conjugate quickly) & conjugated bilirubin (leakage of conjugated bilirubin into circulation)
- Urine: dark (leaked conjugated bilirubin is soluble)
- Stool: slightly pale (reduced conjugated bilirubin to GI tract)
Post-hepatic - conjugated bilirubin –> soluble urobilingogen (yellow): 1) Absorbed into circulation –> excreted via kidneys 2) Remaining –oxidised–> stercobilin (brown)
- Biliary disease related-causes (prevent bile outflow) - gallstones, head of pancreas tumour, cholangiocarcinoma, PSC/PBC
- Ix:
- Bloods: high conjugated bilirubin (backlog as obstruction at biliary tree so can’t reach duodenum and instead leaks into blood)
- Urine: dark (leaked conjugated bilirubin is soluble)
- Stool: very pale (no conjugated bilirubin reaches GI tract –> no stercobilin generated)
Chronic diarrhoea - ddx? Sx? Distribution? Histology? Ix? Mx?
IBD
-
Crohn’s disease
- Sx: RIF pain (terminal ileum), failure to thrive (incl. between attacks)
- Distribution: mouth to anus (esp. terminal ileum), skip lesions
- Histology: transmural, non-caseating granuloma (also in sarcoidosis)
-
Ix:
- OGD/colonoscopy/capsule endoscopy
- Gastografin follow-through
-
Mx:
- Induction:
- Steroids (induce remission)
- 5-ASA (mesalazine)
- Maintenance:
- Steroid-sparing agents (methotrexate, azathioprine, mercaptopurine)
- Biologics e.g. Anti-TNF (infliximab)
- Induction:
- Complications: strictures, obstruction, fistulae
-
Ulcerative colitis
- Sx: gen. abdo pain, PR blood & mucus
- Distribution: ONLY rectum & colon, continuous
- Histology: mucosa & submucosa, mucosal ulcers, crypt abscesses
-
Ix:
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy
-
Mx:
- Induction:
- 5-ASA
- Steroids
- Maintenance:
- 5-ASA (mesalazine)
- Steroid-sparing agents (azathioprine)
- Biologics (infliximab)
- Surgery (proctocolectomy, IJ pouch)
- Induction:
- Complications: toxic megacolon, colonic carcinoma, PSC
- Extra-intestinal signs of IBD - A PIE SAC
- Aphthous ulcers (crohn’s)
- Pyoderma gangrenosum
- Iritis, uveitis, episcleritis (Crohn’s)
- Erythema nodosum
- Sclerosing cholangitis (PSC in UC)
- Arthritis
- Clubbing fingers (CD > UC)
- Truelove & Witts’ severity index = severity criteria for IBD
Coeliac disease
-
Def: inflammatory response to gluten (immune reaction to gliadin)
- DQ2/8 (on HLA typing)
-
Sx: abdo Sx (steatorrhoea, diarrhoea, bloating), failure to thrive
- Exam: blistering rash on both knees. aphthous mouth ulcers
- Assoc: T1DM
- Distribution: duodenum
- Histology: subtotal villous atrophy with crypt hyperplasia
-
Ix: (maintain normal diet - eat gluten for 6wks before testing)
- Haematinics - macrocytic anaemia, low Fe, B12/folate
- Serological testing:
- Screening: Anti-TTG & total IgA (check for selective IgA def in case this caused false ‘-ve’ anti-tTg abs)
- If weakly +ve –> anti-endomysial abs (more sensitive & specific)
- OGD & duodenal biopsy
- Histology: sub-total villous atrophy with crypt hyperplasia
- Mx: gluten avoidance
Irritable bowel syndrome - Dx of exclusion
-
Sx: bloating, related to stress, diarrhoea/constipation, relieved by defecation
- “Pellet-like stools”
- Ix: faecal calprotectin (an inflammatory marker of GI tract = less likely to be IBS, more likely IBD)
- Mx: dietary changes, stress Mx, anti-spasmodics, probiotics, laxatives/loperamide, anti-depressants
Mesenteric ischemia:
- What is the blood supply to the GI tract?
- What area of GI tract is vulnerable to ischaemia?
- Breakdown of mesenteric ischemia? Sx? Ix? Mx?
What is the difference between Mesenteric ischemia & ischemic colitis? Sx? Ix?
Blood supply
- Coeliac axis - oesophagus, stomach, start of small intestine
- Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) - most of the small intestines up to 2/3 transverse colon
- Inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) - from 2/3 along transverse colon down to rectym
- NOTE: area 2/3 along transverse colon @splenic flexure = WATERSHED ZONE (limited supply from superior & inferior mesenteric arteries) –> vulnerable to ischaemia!!
__Mesenteric ischemia
-
Acute - occlusion of SMA by thrombus/embolus
- Sx: severe abdo pain, normal abdo exam, shock
-
Ix:
- AXR (gasless abdo)
- VBG (lactic acidosis)
-
CT abdo with contrast (if suspect mesenteric ischaemia)/CT angiogram (if LA)
- If not primary surgery –> followed by mesenteric angiography (Dx non-occlusive mesenteric ischaemia)
- Mx: resus + CCOT + NBM
- Empirical abx
- Bypass ± bowel resection
- Heparin post-op
-
Chronic - narrowing of SMA by atherosclerosis (stable angina of bowel)
- Sx: colicky post-prandial abdo pain (more work for bowel to do –> pain, just like in stable angina & exercise)
- Ix: as above
- Mx: medical optimisation + bypass (angioplasty + stent if not suitable for surgery)
Ischemic colitis
- Occlusion of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) by thrombus/embolus
- Sx: abdo pain, PR bleeding
- Ix: sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy
- Mx: seek GI & surgical input (can develop chr ulcerating IC)
- Mild - conservative (IV abx, fluids, bowel rest, DM control)
- Prophylactic LMWH
- Segmental resection + stoma
- Mild - conservative (IV abx, fluids, bowel rest, DM control)
Most common reason to do AXR? Most common causes of this reason by type?
AXR interpretation?
Key volvulus signs on AXR?
Reason to do AXR: worried about bowel obstruction (small/large bowel)
Small bowel obstruction on AXR:
- valvulae conniventes (from one wall to other)
- Central to image
- >3cm distension
- Causes: adhesions (surgery, sepsis), hernia, neoplasm, volvulus, IBD
Large bowel obstruction on AXR:
- Haustra (Not full width of bowel)
- Outsides of image
- >6cm distension
- Causes: neoplasm, diverticular disease, volvulus, faecal impaction
NOTE: 3/6/9 rule = upper limits of normal for bowel (small = 3cm, large = 6cm, caecum = 9cm)
Volvulus signs (twisting of loop of bowel on mesentery –> balloon animal):
- Coffee bean sign - sigmoid volvulus (large bowel just before rectum)
- Embryo sign - caecal volvulus (large bowel just after small bowel)
At the end of abdo exam what do you offer to do? Exposure in abdo exam?
GOR(D)
- external Genitalia
- hernial Orificies
- digital Rectal
Ideally nipples to knees but in this case, I will do nipples to the groin due to possible patient discomfort
Erythema nodosum is associated with which conditions?
IBD (also pyoderma gangrenosum),
Sarcoidosis
TB
Meds (OCP, sulphonamides, aspirin/NSAIDs)
Primary Sclerosis Cholangitis (PSC) vs Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)
- Associations? Ix? Tx?
-
PSC - intrahepatic & extrahepatic (horrible & progressive disease, obstructive jaundice)
- Associations: UC (10% but 80% PSC have UC), Cholangiocarcinoma
-
Ix: MRCP, pANCA
- ‘Beads on string’ on ERCP
- Tx: supportive, liver transplant
-
PBC - intrahepatic only (benign condition - middle-aged female, intractable itching)
-
Associations: AI diseases (RA, Sjogren’s, hypothyroidism)
- Sicca syndrome (70%) - dry eyes & mouth (like Sjogren’s syndrome)
- Fat malabsorption w/ steatorrhoea (incl vitamins ADEK):
- Low vit D can cause osteomalacia & proximal myopathy e.g. difficulty climbing stairs & pain in lower back
- Low vit K can cause coagulopathy
- Ix: anti-mitochondrial Ab (AMA), high cholesterol
- Tx: ursodeoxycholic acid (prognostic benefit)
-
Associations: AI diseases (RA, Sjogren’s, hypothyroidism)
AI hepatitis - RFs? Ix? Mx? Complications?
RFs:
- Immune dysregulation (thyroiditis, T1DM, UC, Coeliac, RA)
- Genetic predisposition:
- For T1 AIH - HLA-DR3/4
- For T2 AIH - HLA-DQB1/DRB1
Ix:
- Anti-smooth muscle Ab (SMA), ANA
- T1: Anti-soluble liver antigen or liver/pancreas (SLA/LP), pANCA
- T2: anti-LKM1
Mx: high-dose prednisolone + long-term azathioprine
Complications:
- Cirrhosis in 40%, relapse high if stop IS
How do you tell between spleen & kidney on examination?
Spleen (vs kidney):
- Moves down with inspiration
- You can’t get above it
- Has a notch
- Dull to percussion & not ballotable
Causes of hepatomegaly, splenomegaly & enlarged kidney(s)?
Hepatomegaly causes:
- Hepatitis (infective and non-infective)
- Hepatocellular carcinoma/hepatic mets
- Wilson’s disease, Haemochromatosis
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
- Leukaemia, Myeloma, haemolytic anaemia
- Glandular fever
- Tricuspid regurgitation
Splenomegaly causes:
- Portal HTN secondary to liver cirrhosis
- Splenic mets
- Haemolytic anaemia, Congestive HF, Glandular fever
Large kidney causes:
- Bilaterally enlarged: polycystic kidney disease, amyloidosis
- Unilaterally enlarged: renal tumour
Alcoholic liver disease - presentation? Bloods? Decompensated Mx?
Presentation: peripheral neuropathy, cerebellar, Wernicke’s, gout, parotitis, Dupuytren’s contracture
Bloods: AST > ALT (2:1)
Decompensated Mx:
-
Discrimination function calculated (PT/INR + bilirubin):
- <32/Inf/upper GI bleed –> no steroids
- Otherwise –> steroids
Upper GI bleed - scoring for need for intervention? Mx?
Blatchford score
Variceal bleed
- Massive haemorrhage –> balloon tamponade
- A-E assessment –> IV fluids, blood transfusion
- F1 Essentials:
- 2x large bore cannula
- VBG
- G&S/X-match
- Bleep the bleed reg
- F1 Essentials:
- Drugs with prognostic benefit:
- IV Terlipressin (ADH analogue –> vasoconstriction)/Somatostatin (used for same reason)
- Prophylactic abx - Ceftriaxone/Norfloxacin (abx)
- Intervention (discuss with on-call bleed registrar) –> endoscopic band ligation
Peptic ulcer disease - RFs? Types? What artery is most likely to bleed in duodenal ulcer?
Presentation? Ix? Mx? Scoring to evaluate risk of re-bleed/death?
RFs:
- H. pylori exposure
- Aspirin/NSAID use
Types:
- Gastric - pain worsened by meal (pain 30m-1hr after meal), loose weight, vomiting, assoc w/ NSAIDs
- Duodenal - MORE COMMON, pain relieved by meal (pain 2-3hrs after meal), assoc w/ H. pylori, worse by stress/at night –> radiates to back, put weight on, malaena
- Gastroduodenal artery - runs posterior to 1st/2nd parts of duodenum –> likely cause of bleeding in PUD
Presentation:
- Chr/recurrent upper abdo pain - related to eating & nocturnal
- Can be severe/radiate to back in Duodenal ulcers if ulcers penetrates pancreas
- Pointing sign on exam - show where pain is with 1-finger
- NOTE: ‘Coffee grounds’ vomiting = upper GI bleed (mostly due to PUD > gastric erosions)
Ix:
-
OGD endoscopy = gold-standard
- Immediately if dyspepsia + upper GI bleed
- Within 2wks if ≥55yrs + weight loss + dyspepsia/reflux/upper abdo pain –> exclude malignancy
- Repeat within 6-8wks to ensure ulcer healing/rule out malignancy
- H. pylori stool antigen/breath test (2wk wash out period after PPI or 4wks after abx, retest 6-8wks after starting Tx)
- Bloods - FBC
Mx: consider STOPPING NSAIDs
- Active bleed:
- Urgent evaluation (A-E + Blatchford score) + blood transfusion
- OGD endoscopy (Dx & Tx) –> high-dose IV PPI afterwards (continue oral PPI for 6wks)
- Rockall score (for risk of rebleed/death) –> if re-bleed –> repeat endoscopy & Tx endoscopically/emergency surgery
- If H. pylori +ve:
-
H. pylori eradication - triple therapy for 7 days (PPI + 2 abx = Amox + clari/metro) –> retest 6-8wks after starting Tx (leave washout 2wks after PPI, 4wks after abx)
- If pen allergic –> PPI + Clari + Metro
- If long-term NSAID/aspirin use:
- Consider stopping NSAIDs/aspirin
- Ulcer healing Tx - full-dose PPI/H2 antagonist for 8wks –> H. pylori eradication afterwards
-
H. pylori eradication - triple therapy for 7 days (PPI + 2 abx = Amox + clari/metro) –> retest 6-8wks after starting Tx (leave washout 2wks after PPI, 4wks after abx)
- If H. pylori -ve: treat underlying cause + PPI (4-8wks, 2nd line = H2 antagonist)
- If recurrent/refractory ulcers –> long-term PPI/H2 antagonist
- Joint pain in both knees, XR shows chondrocalcinosis
- Wakes at night frequently to urinate, PMHx T2DM, low albumen on blood
Dx? Classification? Presentation? Ix? Mx?
Dx: haemochromatosis
- Risk of HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma)
Classification:
- Hereditary - AR, gene on chr6 (carried by 1:10 Europeans)
- Secondary e.g. from frequent blood transfusions (SCD)
Presentation - from Fe-deposition in various tissues:
- Arthritis (esp hands), bronze DM (tan), cirrhosis
- Hypogonadism (accumulates in testis)
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (accumulates in heart)
- XR - chondrocalcinosis is assoc w/ pseudogout & haemochromatosis
Ix:
- Blood iron profile:
- TF saturation high (>55% men, >50% women)
- Ferritin normal/slightly high (>500)
- Low TIBC (as all transferrin saturated)
Mx:
- Venesection (until transferrin saturation normal)
- Desferrioxamine (iron chelator to prevent recurring)
- Monitoring ; TF saturation <50% & serum ferritin <50ug/l