Gastrointestinal Flashcards
In an immunocompromised person with odynophagia consider-
candidiasis
dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
odynophagia
pain with swallowing
oropharyngeal dysphagia presentation and complications
issues initiating swallowing.
can cause aspiration of food into lungs. (coughing, choking, drooling)
Etiology of oropharyngeal dysphagia
neurologic or muscular. stroke. parkinson. myesthenia gravis. prolonged intubation. Zenker diverticulum.
oropharyngeal dysphagia is usually more of a problem with ______ than _____
liquids than solids
Esophageal dysphagia
etiologies and presentation
obstruction caused by stricture, schatzki rings, carcinoma.
motility disorder- achalasia, scleroderma, esophageal spasm
esophageal obstruction causes more of a problem with _____ than _____
solids than liquids
Motility disorders cause issues with eating _____ and _____
solids AND liquids
Diagnosis/work up for oropharyngeal dysphagia
- modified barium swallow (video flouroscopic swallow exam) sometimes EGD
Diagnosis/work up for esophageal dysphagia
Initially EGD (can do pre EGD barium swallow) **esp if history of esophageal radiation and strictures
Diagnosis of odynophagia?
EGD
Should you ever perform manometry before EGD?
NO
Candida esophagitis is an ___ defining illness
AIDS
Name causes of infectious esophagitis
- candida albicans
- herpes simplex virus
- CMV
Exam findings, upper EGD findings, Treatment for Candida albicans
Exam: oral thrush. can be scraped off
EGD: yellow, white plaques adherent to mucosa
Treatment: fluconazole PO
Exam findings, upper EGD findings, Treatment for Herpes Simplex Virus
Exam: oral ulcers
EGD: small, deep ulcerations. +Tzank smear. multinucleated inclusions on biopsy
Treat: Acyclovir IV
Exam findings, upper EGD findings, Treatment for CMV
exam: retinitis, colitis
EGD: large, superficial ulcerations. intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusions on biopsy
Treatment: Ganciclovir IV
Diffuse distal esophageal spasm
motility disorder where normal peristalsis is interrupted by non-peristaltic contractions
Presentation of esophageal spasms
heartburn, chest pain, dysphagia, odynophagia
esophageal spasms are often precipitated by ingestion of? pain relieved by?
Hot or cold liquids.
Nitroglycerin provides relief
Diagnosis of esophageal spasm?
EGD to rule out structural abnormalities
Barium swallow
Esophageal manometry:(DEFINITIVE TES)
what will barium swallow show for patient with esophageal spasm?
Corkscrew-shaped esophagus
What will esophageal manometry show for esophageal spasm?
DEFINITIVE TEST. high amplitude, simultaneous contractions in greater than 20% of swallow.
Corkscrew barium swallow
esophageal spasm
Birds beak sign on barium swallow
achalasia
Nodular mucosa and raised filling defect on barium swallow
barret esophagus and adenocarcinoma
musculature in upper 1/3 of esophagus is _____ while lower 2/3 is _______
skeletal, smooth
Treatment for esophageal spasm?
calcium channel blockers, TCAs, nitrates
treatment for severe incapacitating symptoms of spasm?
surgery (esophageal myotomy)
Achalasia
motility disorder of esophagus characterized by impaired relaxation of LES and loss of peristalsis in distal 2/3 esophagus
Cause of achalasia
degeneration of inhibitory neurons in myenteric (Auerbach) plexus
presentation of achalasia
Progressive dysphagia (solids + liquids), chest pain, regurg of undigested food, weight loss, nocturnal cough
what may mimic achalasia?
malignancy
Diagnosis of achalasia?
EGD to rule out structural disorders (mechanical obstruction)- especially cancer
initial test: barium swallow- dilation with a “bird beak” sign
Definitive test: manometry: increased resting LES pressure, incomplete LES relaxation with swallow, and decrease peristalsis in esophagus
Treatment for achalasia
short term: nitrates, ccb, endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin into LES
long term: pneumatic balloon dilation or surgical (Heller) myotomy.
Zenker diverticulum
cervical out-pouching through cricopharyngeus muscle (posterior-FALSE diverticulum)
presentation of Zenker diverticulum?
chest pain, dysphagia, halitosis, regurg of undigested food
Dx of Zenker:
barium swallow with outpouchings
Tx of Zenker:
Surgical excision of diverticulum if symptomatic. (myotomy of cricopharyngeus to relieve high pressure)
Most common type of esophageal cancer world-wide?
SCC
Most common type of esophageal cancer in U.S, Europe, Australia?
Adenocarcinoma
Risk factors for SCC?
Alcohol, tobacco use, nitrosamines
Adenocarcinoma risk factors?
Barett esophagus (columnar metaplasia of distal esophagus secondary to chronic GERD)
Presentation of esophageal cancer?
Progressive dysphagia. initially to solids. then to liquids. weight loss. odynophagia. GERD. GI bleed. Vomiting.
Why does esophageal cancer metastasize early?
Esophagus lacks a serosa
SCC occurs in _____ of esophagus. Adeno occurs in _____ of esophagus.
SCC- upper and middle thirds. Adeno- lower 3rd
Diagnosis of esophageal cancer
Initial test: barium study: narrowing of esophagus with irregular border protruding into lumen
EDG with biopsy makes diagnosis:
CT and endoscopic ultrasound: staging cancer
treatment for esophageal cancer
chemo and surgical resection are 1st line treatment
treatment for cases of high grade barrett’s?
resection may be required
Etiology of GERD?
most often from transient LES relaxation
incompetent LES, gastroparesis, hiatal hernia
sour taste “water brash” or sensation of globus lump in throat?
GERD
Diagnosis of GERD
clinical diagnosis with empiric treatment first
when is EGD with biopsy performed for GERD patients
- refractory symptoms to therapy
- long standing GERD (rule out barrett and adeno)
- blood in stool, weight loss, dysphagia, odynophagia, chest pain
Definitive test for GERD?
24 hour pH monitoring with impedance (only for uncertain diagnosis)
Treatment for GERD
lifestyle
mild intermittent: antacids
chronic/frequent: H2 antagonists (cimetidine, ranitidine) or PPIs (omeprazole, lansoprazole)
Treatment for severe, erosive GERD
PPI first. Nissen fundoplication
Complications of GERD
Erosive esophagitis, peptic stricure, aspiration pneumonia, upper GI bleed, Barrett esophagus
Hiatal hernia 3 types
- sliding hiatal hernia (95%)
- paraesophageal hiatal hernia (5%)
- mixed hiatal hernia (rare)
Sliding hiatal hernia
GE junction and any portion of stomach above diaphragm. usually asymptomatic
Is GERD a result of presence of H.pylori?
NO. arises from relaxation of LES
Paraesophageal hiatal hernia
GE junction below diaphragm. fundus herniates into thorax. can cause strangulation
Sliding hiatal hernia presentation?
can be asymptomatic or GERD
Dx of hiatal hernia?
often indidental finding on CXR. barium swallow or EGD diagnosis
Tx sliding hiatal hernia
medical therapy and lifestyle mods to decrease GERD
Tx paraesophageal hernia
surgical gastropexy (attachment of stomach to rectal sheath and closure of hiatus
Acute gastritis
rapidly developing superficial lesions. often due to NSAID use, alcohol, H.pylori, stress from severe illness (burns, CNS injury)
Chronic gastritis Type A and Type B
Type A: (10%)- Occurs in fundus. due to autoantibodies to parietal cells (pernicious anemia).
Type B: (90%)- Antrum, caused by NSAIDs or H.pylori. often asymptomatic. but associated with increased risk of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer
Pernicious anemia associated with?
associated with other autoimmune disorders and increased risk of gastric adenocarcinoma
Type A related gastritis (autoantibodies to parietal cells) occurs in the ____ of stomach?
fundus
Does H.pylori infection always cause gastritis?
NO
Why is type A gastritis associated with pernicious anemia?
Auto-antibodies attack parietal cells. Parietal cells make intrinsic factor. Need intrinsic factor to absorb B12.
Curling ulcers
stress ulcers associated with burn injuries
burn with curling iron
cushing ulcer
stress ulcer associated with CNS injury (TBI)
Treatment for PUD/Gastritis
Stop offending agents (NSAID, alcohol)
Antacids, sucralfate, H2 receptor blockers, PPIs
**Triple therapy (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, omeprazole) for H. Pylori infection
What should triple therapy for H.Pylori include if patient is allergic to penicillin?
Metronidazole, clarithromycin, omeprazole
Metro instead of amoxicillin
Are H. pylori antibodies a good measure of infection? why/why not?
NO. they stay (+) even when disease is cleared.
How to diagnose H. pylori?
Urea breath test
Test of cure for H. pylori?
repeat stool antigen
4 different tests for H. pylori
- serology
- urea breath test
- stool antigen test
- endoscopic biopsy
Who should get prophylactic PPIs?
Patients at risk for stress ulcer- ICU patients!
Krukenberg tumor
gastric adenocarcinoma that metastasizes to ovary
How does urea breath test work?
H.pylori urease converts urea to CO2 and ammonia. Test detect ammonia from urea metabolism.
sensitivity and specificity of serology IgG testing for h.pylori?
high sensitivity. lower specificity
sensitivity specificity for for urea breath test?
high specificity. lower sensitivity. PPIs can cause false negatives.
stool antigen test for H. pylori
detects H. pylori antigen in stool. high specificity and high sensitivity. cost-effective initial test for H.pylori**
Gold standard diagnosis for H.pylori or gastritis?
endoscopic biopsy.
Malt Lymphoma
rare gastric tumor that presents in patients with chronic H.pylori infection.
how to cure malt lymphoma
only malignancy that can be cured with antibiotics. treat with triple therapy. (amox, clarithromycin, omeprazole)
Virchow node.
enlargement of left supraclavicular node. often indicative of gastric cancer.
most common GI cancer?
adenocarcinoma (common in Korea and Japan)
Risk factors for GI adenocarcinoma
Diet high in nitrites, salt, low in fresh veggies (antioxidants). H.pylori. Chronic gastritis
presentation of gastric cancer
indigestion, loss of appetite early
late- weight loss, upper GI bleed, abd pain
Dx gastric cancer:
upper endoscopy with biopsy (definitive)
Tx: gastric cancer
surgical resection. most patients present with late stage, incurable disease.
<90% of duodenal ulcers and 70% of gastric ulcers are caused by?
H.pylori
Other risk factors for PUD
alcohol, NSAID, tobacco
Presentation of acute perf caused by PUD
rigid abdomen, rebound tenderness, guarding (do upright KUB- show free air under diaphragm)
In recurrent or refractory cases of PUD, check serum ______ to screen for?
gastrin, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
if Xray shows no perf, but high clinical suspicion of PUD perf, order?
CT
How to rule out/in active bleeding with PUD?
serial hematocrits, rectal vault exam, NG lavage. Monitor BP and treat with IV hydration, blood transfusion, IV PPIs. Perform urgent EGD to control suspected bleeding.
Parietal cell vagotomy should be performed
with severe cases of PUD refractory to medical therapy
After a meal pain from Gastric ulcer is ________ while pain from Duodenal ulcer is _______
Gastric ulcer - Greater
Duodenal ulcer- Decreased
Should all gastric ulcers be biopsied? why/why not?
YES. rule out malignancy
What is a major complication of gastric ulcer?
Hemorrhage
What gastric ulcers are most likely to cause hemorrhage? why?
Posterior gastric ulcers that erode into the gastroduodenal artery
Other complications of gastric ulcer?
perforation, gastric outlet obstruction, intractable vomiting
What can you give patients who require NSAID therapy for arthritis to help with PUD? why?
Misoprostol- PGE1 analogue -> increases production and secretion of gastric mucous barrier and decreases gastric acid production.
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
Rare condition characterized by gastrin producing tumor in duodenum or pancreas.
Gastrinomas are associated with what syndrome 20% of the time?
MEN 1
how to diagnose ZE syndrome?
fasting serum gastrin levels elevated and increased gastrin levels with the administration of secretin. (CT scan to stage the disease)
Tx of ZE:
moderate to high dose PPI
Surgical resection of gastrinoma after CT or octreotide scan to identify carcinoid tumors
ZE syndrome components
- hypercalcemia (MEN 1)
- Epigastric pain (peptic ulcer)
- Diarrhea (mucosal damage and pancreas enzyme inactivation leading to malabsorption)
Diarrhea definition
production of >200g feces/day along with increased frequency or liquidity of stool.
most common subtypes of diarrhea
- malabsorption/maldigestive/osmotic
- secretory
- inflammatory/infectious
- increased motility
Normal stool osmotic gap?
50-100
Stool osmotic gap equation
stool osmotic gap = 290 - 2(Stool Na + stool K)
Acute diarrhea definition and common etiology
< 2 weeks, usually infectious and self-limited
Common causes of pediatric diarrhea
rotavirus, norwalk, enterovirus
Chronic diarrhea definition and common causes
> 4 weeks. insidious onset.
Secretory, Malabsorption, Inflammatory/Infectious, Increase motility
Secretory diarrhea examples
Carcinoid tumor, VIPoma (VIP increases intestinal water and electrolyte secretion)
Malabsoption diarrhea ex:
bacterial overgrowth, pancreatic insufficiency, mucosal damage, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, laxative abuse, post-surgical short bowel
inflammatory diarrhea ex:
IBD
Increased motility diarrhea ex:
IBS
Cryptosporidium and Isospora are associated with chronic diarrhea in _____ patients
HIV/AIDS
Organisms that cause bloody diarrhea include
- salmonella
- shigella
- e.coli (EHEC)
- campylobacter
Organisms that cause watery diarrhea include
- vibrio cholera
- rotavirus
- e.coli (ETEC)
- Cryptosporidium
- Giardia
- Norovirus
When are studies needed for acute diarrhea?
high fever, bloody diarrhea, lasting > 4-5 days diarrhea
Additional studies for chronic diarrhea
- stool analysis (leukocytes, culture, c.diff, ova and parasite)
- sigmoidoscopy (only if with bloody diarrhea and unknown cause)
Low osmotic gap diarrhea <50
Secretory diarrhea (increase secretion or inhibition of water absorption) (cholera, e.coli, VIPoma, gastrinoma, medullary cancer of thyroid
High osmotic gap diarrhea >100
osmotic diarrhea (osmotically active compounds draw in water) (celiac, whipple disease, pancreatic insufficiency, laxative abuse)
Whipple Disease
CAN of Chocolate WHIP cream
C-cardiovascular
A-arthralgia
N-neurologic
Chocolate (diarrhea)
AND Osmotic diarrhea
History, Exam, Test Results, Treatment: campylobacter
History: most common cause of bacterial diarrhea (ingesting contaminated food/water). affects young kids and young adults. lasts 7-10 days.
Exam/Tests: Bloody diarrhea. Fecal RBC/Fecal WBC
Treatment: rule out IBD, rule out appendicitis. Supportive treatment then ciprofox or azithromycin if needed
History, Exam, Test Results, Treatment: C.diff
history: recent treatment with abx (penicillin, quinolone, clinda). hospitalized adult patients.
exam: fecal RBC/WBC. fever, abd pain, systemic tox
Dx: c.diff toxin. sigmoidoscopy with psuedomembrane.
Tx: stop antibiotics. PO metronidazole (mild)
PO vanc (mod-severe)
IV metro +/- rectal vanc if ILEUS
History, Exam, Test Results, Treatment: Entamoeba Histolytica
hx: travel in develop countries (food/water)
incubation can be 3 months. severe abd pain and fever.
dx: endoscopy with flask shaped ulcers
Tx: metronidazole
History, Exam, Test Results, Treatment: E.coli O157H7
hx: ingestion of raw meat. affects kids and elderly. lasts 5-10 days. severe abd pain, low fever, vomiting.
History, Exam, Test Results, Treatment: Salmonella
hx: ingestion of contaminated poultry, egg. young children and elderly. 2-5 days. prodromal HA, fever, myalgia, abd pain
tx: fluids! oral quinolone or TMP-SMX
History, Exam, Test Results, Treatment: Shigella
hx: extremely contagious. fecal oral. young children and hospitalized. can cause febrile seizures in the young.
tx: TMP-SMX to decrease person/person spread.
What should you watch for as severe complication of C.diff infection?
toxic megacolon
Flask shaped ulcers on endoscopy?
entamoeba histolytica
Treating entameoba histolytica with steroids can lead to?
fatal perforation
what is a complication of entamoeba histolytica
chronic amebic colitis (mimics IBD)
potential complication of E.coli- particularly in children?
HUS