Gastrointestinal Flashcards
What is the first enzyme activated in acute pancreatitis?
Trypsinogen –> trypsin
What 2 types of necrosis is seen in acute pancreatitis?
Fat necrosis seen in peri-pancreatic fat. Liquefactive necrosis of the pancreas itself
How does alcohol cause acute pancreatitis?
Creates contraction of sphincter of Oddi, decreasing drainage of pancreas
Where does pain from pancreatitis typically refer?
Back
What is Cullen’s sign?
Peri-umbilical brusing seen with acute pancreatitis
What is Grey-Turner’s sign?
Flank hemorrhage seen with acute pancreatitis
What two enzymes are increased as a result of pancreatitis?
Lipase and amylase. Lipase is more specific, because amylase can be increased with damage to the salivary gland
What are the two most common causes of chronic pancreatitis?
Alcohol (repeated bouts of acute pancreatitis) and cystic fibrosis (kids)
What are the two major risk factors for pancreatic adenocarcinoma?
Smoking and chronic pancreatitis
Thin, 85 year old female presents with new-onset DM. What should you think about?
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma in the body or tail of the pancreas
What is the serum tumor marker for pancreatic adenocarcinoma?
CA-19-9
Why do bile acid binding resins (cholestyramine) lead to gallstones?
Decreased bile acids leads to ineffective solublizing of cholesterol, which can cause stones
What color are cholesterol gallstones?
Yellow
Why are women at greater risk for gallstones?
Estrogen increases HMG-CoA reductase, which increases cholesterol, which can precipitate and cause gallstones
Which gallstones are typically radiopaque?
Bilirubin stones
Where does pain from cholecystitis typically radiate?
Right scapula
What is a Rokitansky-Aschoff sinus?
Outpouching of gallbladder mucosa into the smooth muscle of the GB wall with CHRONIC cholecystitis
What is porcelain gallbladder and how is it treated?
Calcified gallbladder due to chronic cholecystitis. Treated by cholecystectomy, because it is considered a pre-cancerous condition.
85 year old woman presents with acute cholecystitis, what are you thinking?
GB carcinoma
What causes black pigment stones?
Hemolysis
What causes brown pigment stones?
Infection
How do gallstones cause ascending cholangitis?
When stones block the bile duct, bile can’t flow and wash away bacteria, which can then ascend and cause infection/inflammation.
How can gallstones cause air in the biliary tree?
Gallstone ileus - gallstone erodes through GB wall, into duodenum and blocks the ileocecal valve, causing backup of air all the way to the biliary tree
What two drugs given for hyperlipidemia cause cholesterol gallstones?
Fibric acid derivatives and cholestyramine
What is Charcot’s triad for ascending cholangitis?
Fever, RUQ pain, Jaundice
What is Reynold’s pentad?
Fever, RUQ pain, Jaundice, hypotension, mental status changes
What is the result of a pregnant woman being infected with HEV?
Fulminant hepatitis with massive liver necrosis
How is HEV typically acquired?
Contaminated water or undercooked seafood
What defines chronic HBV infection?
Presence of HBsAG for more than 6 months
What is the first serologic marker to rise in HBV infection?
HBsAG
What HBV antigen indicates infectivity?
HBeAG
What is the only DNA hepatitis virus?
HBV
What are the two naked hepatitis viruses?
A and E (nAkEd)
Which hepatitis viruses are RNA?
HAV, HCV, HDV, HEV
What type of vaccine is HAV?
Killed
What type of DNA polymerase does HBV use?
RNA dependent DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase- can treat with RTI’s)
What is a Dane particle?
Hepatitis B surface antigen with DNA in it - refers to an infectious HBV particle
Where does HBV replicate its DNA?
Cytoplasm
What causes symptoms in HAV/HBV/HCV?
Patient’s CD8 cells attacking infected hepatocytes
Which patients are at a higher risk for progression to cancer/cirrhosis from HBV?
Those with reduced CMI (AIDS/DiGeorge/kids)
What is the first antibody to appear in HBV?
HBcAb - presence indicates recent infection
What does HBeAg positivity indicate?
Actively replicating (infective) virus
What type of vaccine is HBV?
Recombinant
What family of virus is HCV in?
Flavivirus
What does HCV do that makes the liver take it into hepatocytes?
Coats itself with LDL or VLDL
What 2 drugs are used to treat HCV?
Ribavirin and IFN-alpha. These can CURE HCV!
Explain HDV superinfection
A person previously infected with HBV acquires HDV. HBV surface antigen exists in great quantities in this patient’s blood, and it coats the HDV very rapidly, causing fulminant hepatitis.
Explain HDV/HBV co-infection
A person acquires HDV and HBV at the same time. Once enough HBV surface antigen is made, HDV coats itself with the surface antigen, and can destroy hepatocytes
What does HDV need from HBV to cause infection?
Needs HBV surface antigen - coats itself with it
What can a patient do to protect themselves from HDV?
Get vaccinated for HBV!
What is the only population we are concerned about with respect to HEV?
Pregnant women
What family is HEV a part of?
Hepevirus (HepEvirus)
What two things fail to fuse in cleft lip?
The maxillary and nasal processes
What fails to fuse in cleft palate?
The lateral palatine processes, the nasal septum, and/or the medial palatine processes.
What 3 things are seen in Bechet syndrome?
Recurrent aphthous ulcers, genital ulcers, and uveitis. Due to vasculitis in vessels of all sizes. Also, injury to an area results in a sterile pustule at the site of pinprick. Associated with HLA B-51
What are two risk factors for squamous cell CA of the mouth?
Tobacco and alcohol use
Where on the tongue does hairy leukoplakia typically occur?
Lateral tongue (due to EBV in immunocompromised).
What 3 sequelae can be seen with mumps infection?
Orchitis, pancreatitis, aseptic meningitis.
What is seen on biopsy of a pleiomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland?
Benign tumor with stroma (cartilage) and epithelial tissue (glands). It is a mixed tumor.
Why does a pleiomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland recur frequently?
It has irregular margins and is tough to remove completely.
What is seen on biopsy of a Warthin’s tumor of the parotid?
Cystic tumor with abundant lymphocytes and germinal centers.
What is seen on biopsy of a mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary gland?
Malignant tumor composed of mucinous and squamous cells. It invades the facial nerve.
Describe the most common form of TE fistula.
Proximal esophagus ends in a blind pouch (atresia) and distal esophagus is attached to the trachea.
What is an esophageal web?
Thin protrusion of esophageal mucosa, most often in upper esophagus.
Describe the triad seen in Plummer-Vinson syndrome.
Iron deficiency anemia, Glossitis, Esophageal webs
What is a Zenker diverticulum?
Outpouching of pharyngeal mucosa through an acquired defect in the muscular wall.
Where does a Zenker diverticulum commonly occur?
Above the upper esophageal sphincter at the junction of the esophagus and the pharynx.
What is Mallory-Weiss syndrome?
Linear laceration of the mucosa at the GE junction driven by vomiting (alcoholism, bulimia). Presents as painful hematemesis.
What is Boerhave syndrome?
Esophageal rupture due to violent retching. Can lead to subcutaneous emphysema.
What are the two abnormalities that occur in achalasia?
Decreased peristalsis (due to loss of myenteric plexus) and inability to relax LES (thought to be due to loss of NO/VIP).
List two common causes of secondary achalasia.
Chagas disease, CREST syndrome.
Bird’s beak sign
Achalasia
Dysphagia for solids and liquids
Achalasia
What is seen on esophageal manometry in achalasia?
High LES pressure.
Hourglass appearance of stomach
Hiatal hernia
What is a common GI cause of adult-onset asthma?
GERD
Describe the “new” cells seen in Barrett’s esophagus.
Non-ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells.
What is the most common esophageal cancer in the USA? Worldwide? Where is each type commonly located?
USA - adenocarcinoma (lower 1/3) Worldwide - squamous cell carcinoma (Upper 2/3).
List some risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.
Alcohol, tobacco, hot tea, achalasia, esophageal web, esophageal injury (IRRITATION).
What is the major risk factor for adenocarcioma of the esophagus?
Barrett’s esophagus (lower 1/3 of esophagus).
Through which nodes does esophageal cancer from the upper, middle, and lower 1/3 of the esophagus spread?
Upper 1/3 - cervical nodes; Middle 1/3 - mediastinal or tracheobronchial nodes; Lower 1/3 - Celiac and gastric nodes
What is the most common benign esophageal tumor? How should you biopsy it?
Leiomyoma. Do NOT biopsy it.
How can you differentiate an omphalocele from a gastroschisis?
Omphalocele will be covered in peritoneum and amnion, gastroschisis won’t.
Palpable “olive” in the epigastric region of a newborn.
Pyloric stenosis.
Are babies with pyloric stenosis born with the disorder?
No, they acquire it 2-3 weeks after birth (takes time for the pyloris to become hypertrophic)
Describe the vomiting seen in pyloric stenosis
Nonbilous, because the stenosis is proximal to the duodenum.
What is the underlying cause of acute gastritis?
Imbalance between mucosal defenses and acidic environment.
What is a Curling ulcer?
Acute gastritis following a severe burn (due to decreased bloodflow to the mucosa).
What is a Cushing ulcer?
Ulcer caused by increased intracranial pressure, which results in increased vagal tone.
What causes type A chronic gastritis and where in the stomach does it occur?
Autoimmune attack of parietal cells or intrinsic factor. It is seen in the body and fundus of the stomach.
What causes type B chronic gastritis and where in the stomach is it commonly seen?
H. pylori infection. It is commonly seen in the antrum of the stomach.
What type of hypersensitivity is type A chronic gastritis?
Type IV (T cell mediated. As a result, the patient develops parietal cell antibodies, but they aren’t the cause of the damage, they are a result of it).
Describe some clinical features seen with type A chronic gastritis.
Atrophy of mucosa; Achlorhydria (decreased acid) with increased gastrin and antral G cell hyperplasia; Megaloblastic anemia; Increased risk for gastric adenocarcinoma (secondary to metaplasia)
H. pylor increases the risk for which two cancers?
Gastric adenocarcinoma and MALT lymphoma
What is the #1 cause of duodenal ulcers?
H. pylori.
Describe the pain with gastric vs. duodenal ulcers.
Gastric ulcer pain - worse with meals. VS Duodenal ulcer pain - better with meals.
Are gastric or duodenal ulcers more likely maignant?
Gastric (duodenal ulcers are almost never malignant).
What blood type increases risk for intestinal-type stomach cancer?
A
Describe the findings in intestinal-type stomach cancer.
Commonly on lesser curvature, looks like an ulcer with raised margins. Associated with H. pylori infection, nitrosamines increase risk.
What is linitis plastica and with what disorder is it associated?
Thickening of the stomach wall seen in diffuse type stomach cancer.
What is a signet ring cell and what disorder is it associated with?
A cell with its nucleus pushed to the edge. The nucleus is pushed to the edge by mucin in diffuse-type stomach cancer.
Linitis plastica is associated with what disorder?
Diffuse-type (signet ring cell) stomach cancer.
H. pylori is associated with what type of stomach cancer?
Intestinal-type
Nitrosamines are associated with what type of stomach cancer?
Intestinal-type
Signet ring cells are associated with what type of stomach cancer?
Diffuse-type stomach cancer.
What are the two types of stomach cancer?
Intestinal-type (Ulcerated, H. pylori, nitrosamines, lesser curvature). Diffuse type (signet ring cells, linitis plastica, Krukenburg tumor).
Acanthosis nigricans is associated with what neoplasm?
Gastric cancer
What is Leser-Trelat sign?
Sudden development of multiple seborrheic keratoses, often on the back. Associated with gastric carcinoma.
What is Virchow’s node?
Spread of stomach cancer to the left supraclavicular node.
What is a Sister Mary Joseph nodule?
Spread of stomach cancer to superficial umbilical nodes. Seen with intestinal type.
What is Krukenburg tumor?
Spread of gastric carcinoma to ovaries. Seen with diffuse type (signet ring).
What is Menetrier’s disease?
Gastric hypertrophy with protein loss, parietal cell atrophy, and increased mucus cells. It is a precancerous lesion.
Duodenal atresia is associated with what developmental disorder?
Down syndrome.
What is the “double bubble” sign?
Distension of stomach and blind loop of duodenum seen with duodenal atresia. The “bubbles” are separated by the pyloric sphincter.
What causes a Meckel diverticulum?
Persistence of the vitelline duct.
What is the rule of 2’s in Meckels diverticulum?
2% of the population; 2 ft from ileocecal valve; 2 inches long; 2 types of tissue (pancreatic/gastric); 2 year olds
What causes bleeding in a Meckel diverticulum?
Gastric tissue secretes acid that destroys surrounding tissue.
How do you diagnose a Meckel diverticulum?
Pertechnitate scan
Passage of “currant jelly” stool.
Intussusception
Which two HLA subtypes is celiac disease associated with?
HLA DQ2 and DQ8
What is the most pathogenic component of gluten?
Gliadin
What is seen on duodenal biopsy of a patient with Celiac disease?
Flattening of vili, hyperplasia of crypts, and increased intraepithelial lymphocytes.
In what part of the small intestine is celiac disease most prominent?
Duodenum
What is the best assay for diagnosis of celiac disease?
IgA or IgG (in IgA deficient patients) against tissue transglutaminase.
Celiac disease increases the risk for which two neoplasms?
Small bowel CA and T cell lymphoma
What 3 antibodies are found in celiac sprue?
Anti-endomysial, anti-gliadin, anti-tissue transglutaminase.
What is tropical sprue?
Malabsorption arising after infectious diarrhea caused by an unknown organism.
In what part of the small intestine is tropical sprue most prominent?
Jejunum and ileum (NOT duodenum like in Celiac)
Why does tropical sprue cause a folic acid and B12 deficiency?
Because it damages the jejunum (where folic acid is reabsorbed) and the ileum (where B12 is reabsorbed).
What will be seen upon biopsy in Whipple disease?
Foamy macrophages that are PAS positive, diastase resistant.
What type of malabsorption is caused by Whipple disease?
Fat malabsorption (damage to the lamina propria).
What are some non-GI symptoms seen with Whipple disease?
Cardiac valve abnormalities, arthralgias, neurologic symptoms.`
Apo-B48 is needed for…
Chylomicron formation
Apo-B100 is needed for…
VLDL and LDL formation
What will be seen in abetalipoproteinemia?
Inability to generate chylomicrons (apo B 48), LDL and VLDL (apo B 100).
What can be used to stain carcinoid tumor?
Chromogranin
Carcinoid tumors secrete…
Serotonin
What metabolite is excreted in the urine in carcinoid tumor?
5-HIAA (metabolite of serotonin)
<p>What is the difference between carcinoid tumor and carcinoid syndrome?</p>
<p>Carcinoid syndrome requires serotonin in the systemic circuit.
Serotonin is metabolized by the liver if the lesion is solely in the GI system (carcinoid tumor).
If the tumor metastasizes to the liver, it can then be dumped into the hepatic vein (systemic circuit), and cause serotonin syndrome.</p>
Why don’t you see carcinoid heart disease on the left side of the heart?
Because the lung has monoamine oxidase.
Why don’t you see carcinoid syndrome if a carcinoid tumor is localized to the GI system only?
Because the liver metabolizes 5-HT into 5-HIAA.
What obstructs the appendiceal lumen to cause appendicitis in children?
Lymphoid hyperplasia
What is the key histologic hallmark of ulcerative colitis?
Crypt abscess with neutrophils
What two factors determine the risk for carcinoma in a patient with ulcerative colitis?
Amount of colon involved and duration of disease (> 10 years = higher risk for dysplasia).
What autoantibody can be seen in association with ulcerative colitis?
p-ANCA
Is smoking protective for ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease?
Ulcerative colitis
Describe the portion of the gut involved in ulcerative colitis.
Always begins in rectum and extends proximally up to the cecum. Only the colon is affected.
Is the involvement continuous or skipped in ulcerative colitis?
Continuous
Lead pipe colon
Ulcerative colitis
Full thickness colonic inflammation with knife-like fissures
Crohn disease
Skip lesions
Crohn disease
What is the most common site of Crohn disease?
Terminal ileum (can cause a B12 deficiency)
What is always spared in Crohn disease?
Rectum
TH2 mediated IBD
UC
TH1 mediated IBD
Crohn disease
Where is the pain typically localized in UC vs. Crohn disease?
LLQ in UC (rectum most commonly involved); RLQ in CD (terminal ileum most commonly involved).
Bowel inflammation with granulomas
Crohn disease
Cobblestone mucosa
Crohn disease
String sign
Crohn disease (narowing of the colonic lumen due to transmural inflammation causing myofibroblast deposition and contraction).
IBD with mouth to anus involvement
CD
Why does CD increase the risk for nephrolithiasis?
With inflammation of the bowel, absorption of oxalate in the gut is increased.
Which IBD increases the risk of fistula?
CD
Does smoking increase or decrease the risk for Crohn disease?
Increase
What are some extra-intestinal manifestations of Crohn disease?
Migratory polyarthritis, erythema nodosum, ankylosing spondylitis, uveitis, calcium oxalate kidney stones.
What are some extra-intestinal manifestations of ulcerative colitis?
Pyoderma gangrenosum, primary sclerosing cholangitis, anyklosing spondylitis, uveitis, urate kidney stones.
Hirschsprung disease is associated with what developmental disorder?
Down syndrome
What is the underlying pathology in Hirschsprung disease?
Failure of migration of neural crest cells results in absent myenteric (Auerbach’s) and submucosal (Meissner’s) plexuses in the rectum and distal colon.
How is biopsy performed in patients with Hirschsprung disease?
Rectal suction biopsy
Anatomically, what is the most common location of colonic diverticula?
Sigmoid colon
Histologically, where do colonic diverticula occur?
Where the vasa recta traverses the muscularis propria (weak point in colonic wall).
What parts of the colonic wall form the diverticulum in diverticulosis?
Only mucosa and submucosa (false diverticulum).
What is angiodysplasia?
Tortuous dilation of mucosal and submucosal capillary beds leading to hematochezia in an older adult.
What is Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome also known as?
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
What are the findings in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome)?
Telangiectasias, recurrent epistaxis, GI bleeds, skin discoloration. Autosomal dominant.
Where does ischemic colitis most commonly occur?
Splenic flexure (SMA/IMA watershed area)
T/F - hyperplastic colonic polyps have a possibility of becoming malignant.
False - hyperplastic polyps have no malignant potential.
Colonic polyp with serrated appearance.
Hyperplastic polyp. No malignant potential.
T/F - adenomatous colonic polyps have a possibility of becoming malignant.
True - they are benign masses, but they are pre-malignant.
What are the two types of colonic polyps?
Adenomatous (pre-malignant), hyperplastic (no malignant potential)
What does colonic APC mutation cause?
Increased RISK for formation of a polyp (doesn’t cause the polyp to form)
What does colonic K-RAS mutation cause?
Formation of a polyp (adenoma) - after an APC mutation increased the risk for polyp formation.
What does colonic p53 mutation cause?
Progression of an adenomatous polyp to carcinoma (after APC increased the risk for a polyp, which was formed with K-RAS mutation).
Why is aspirin protective for colorectal carcinoma?
Because COX is necessary to form colon cancer.
List the steps in the colon adenoma-carcinoma sequence.
- APC mutation increases RISK for formation of a polyp. 2. K-RAS mutation causes formation of an adenomatous polyp. 3. p53 mutation and increased COX expression causes adenoma progression to carcinoma.
Mutation of what TSG increases the risk of colonic polyp formation?
APC
Mutation of what oncogene causes colonic polyp formation?
K-RAS
The APC tumor suppressor gene is located on which chromosome?
5 (5 letters in polyp)
Mutation of what tumor suppressor gene allows colonic adenoma to progress to carcinoma?
p53
Colon adenomas of what gross and histologic morphology increase the risk of progression to cancer?
Gross - sessile (not pedunculated); Histologic - Villous
Formation of hundreds to thousands of colonic polyps
Familial adenomatous polyposis
What gene is mutated in FAP?
APC
What is Gardner syndrome?
FAP (thousands of polyps) with fibromatosis and osteomas.
What is Turcot syndrome?
FAP (thousands of polyps) with CNS tumors.
Thousands of colonic polyps with CNS tumors. Dx?
Turcot syndrome
Thousands of colonic polyps with fibromatosis and osteomas. Dx?
Gardner syndrome
What is a juvenile polyp?
A sporadic hamartoma (benign) polyp arising in children. Presents as a solitary rectal polyp that prolapses and bleeds.
What is juvenile polyposis?
Multiple juvenile polyps (hamartomas) in the stomach and colon. Large numbers increase the risk of progression to cancer.
Patient has hamartomatous polyps throughout the GI tract with hyperpigmentation on lips. Dx?
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
What is the inheritance pattern of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome?
Autosomal dominant
What type of polyps are seen in juvenile polyposis and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome?
Hamartomas (benign)
What is the second most common molecular mechanism for formation of colorectal cancer?
Microsatellite instability - DNA mismatch repair mutations (hMSH2, hMLH1) leads to sporadic cancer and HNPCC.
What is mutated in HNPCC?
DNA mismatch repair enzymes hMSH-2 and hMLH1 (microsatellite instability).
Besides colon, which two other malignancies are patients with HNPCC at increased risk for?
Ovarian and endometrial carcinoma
What tumor marker is useful in detecting recurrence of colorectal carcinoma?
CEA (good for monitoring response to treatment, NOT good for screening).
What is the use of CEA in colorectal cancer?
Good for monitoring recurrence and treatment response, NOT good for screening.
What is the inheritance pattern of HNPCC and FAP?
Both are autosomal dominant.
How does right sided colon cancer commonly present?
Manifestations of iron deficiency anemia due to blood loss
How does left sided colon cancer commonly present?
Changes in stool caliber (usually thin stools), constipation, “napkin ring” lesions.
What is toxic megacolon and what disease increases the risk for it?
Rapid colonic distension following complete cessation of neuromuscular activity in the large intestine seen in ulcerative colitis.
A non-compliant patient with known ulcerative colitis presents hypotensive, tachycardic with a distended abdomen. What should be done next? What should be avoided?
The patient likely has toxic megacolon. A flat plain x-ray should be done to diagnose the condition. Avoid colonoscopy or barium enema as they increase the risk for rupture.
What is the most common form of appendiceal tumor?
Carcinoid
HNPCC is also known as…
Lynch syndrome
What is the first step in screening for malabsorption?
Sudan III stool stain to look for fat in the stool
What is Courvoisier sign?
Palpable but nontender gallbladder, suggestive of adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas
Where are anal fissures most commonly located?
Posterior midline, distal to the dentate line (painful).
What happens to serum calcium levels in acute pancreatitis and why does this happen?
Patients get hypocalcemia, because of calcium depositing on foci of fat necrosis in the damaged peri-pancreatic fat.
What lines pancreatic pseudocysts?
Granulation tissue
Why are stools pale with pancreatic adenocarcinoma?
Blockage of the bile duct. Bilirubin gives stool its color.