Gastrointestinal Flashcards
What is Hirschsprung’s disease?
Congenital aganglionic megacolon…proximal large bowel can become dilated/enlarged
IBS definition?
At least 6 months of... Abdominal pain/discomfort Bloating Change in bowel habit WITH NO RED FLAGS
Investigations for IBD?
Faecal calprotectin
Distinguishes between IBD and IBS
Diagnosis of IBS?
Negative faecal calprotectin
With symptoms
Treatment for diarrhoea prominent IBS?
Loperamide
antimotility
Initiate remission in Crohn’s Disease?
Young children = enteral nutrition (due to growth)
OR
Glucocorticosteroid:
Prednisolone
Methylprednisolone
IV Hydrocortisone
When to add on drugs for Crohn’s Disease?
For maintenance therapy, if required
OR
2 episodes in < 12 months
What drugs to add on for Crohn’s Disease?
Mercaptopurine
OR
Azathioprine
(OR methotrexate)
Drugs to induce remission in Ulcerative Colitis?
Sulfasalazine (aminosalicylate)
Topical best
OR
Prednisolone
Step 2 drugs to induce remission in UC?
Add prednisolone
AND/OR
Tacrolimus
Then infliximab, or other biologicals if no response
Drugs for hospitalised due to UC?
IV corticosteroids
OR
Ciclosporin
Maintaining remission in UC?
Sulfasalazine (aminosalicylate)
topical and/or oral
When and what to add in maintaining remission UC?
If 2+ exacerbations in < 12 months
Azathioprine/Mercaptopurine
Contraindications to prednisolone?
Anything bad happening to the bowels/intestine!? Intestinal obstruction Bowel perforation Recent intestinal anastamoses Fistulas Infection
What is dexamethasone?
Corticosteroid
pure glucocorticoid
What is prednisolone
Corticosteroid
Both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid effects
Diagnosis of coeliac disease?
Made on clinical symptoms and positive serology:
IgA tTG or IgA EMA
First line investigations for suspected gallstone disease?
LFTs
Abdo USS
Second line investigations for gallstone disease?
IF bile duct is dilated, or LFTs are abnormal (and no gall stones are seen on USS) then MRCP then Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
When to arrange emergency surgical admission for gallstones??
Complications:
Cholangitis
Cholecystitis
Pancreatitis
Asymptomatic common bile duct stones?
Treated like symptomatic CBD stones
i.e. Need surgery to remove (not urgent)
First choice analgesia for gallstones whilst awaiting surgery?
Diclofenac IM 75mg
Opioid IM if not tolerated/contraindicated
IBD and gallbladder relations?
PSC linked with UC
(not common in UC, but 50% of PSC have UC)
Gallstones linked with Crohn’s
Drug treatment in constipation?
both acute and chronic
- Bulk-forming laxatives (if opoid induced go to step 2)
AND/OR - Osmotic laxatives
- Add stimulant laxative