Gastrointestinal Flashcards
Briefly, what is a peptic ulcer?
A break in the epithelial lining of the stomach/duodenum which penetrates the muscularis mucosa.
What are the two main causes of/risk factors for peptic ulcers?
- Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection
2. NSAIDs
Approximately what % of gastric and duodenal ulcers are caused by H.pylori infection? (2 individual %’s)
80% gastric
95% duodenal
How does H.pylori infection cause peptic ulcers?
It causes inflammation of the mucosal lining of the stomach, depleting the layer of alkaline mucus and altering gastric pH.
Approximately what % of gastric and duodenal ulcers are caused by NSAIDs?
20% gastric
5% duodenal
How do NSAIDs cause peptic ulcers?
They act by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, reducing the production of protective alkaline mucus and thereby increasing risk of ulceration, particularly in the stomach
What are the symptoms of a peptic ulcer/how does it present? (8)
- Upper/central abdominal pain described as burning or gnawing
- Difficulty breathing
- Dark stools
- Weight loss/anorexia - due to pain of eating
- Bloating
- Heart burn
- Nausea/vomiting
What may be the signs on examination with a peptic ulcer? (4)
- Tachycardia
- Hypotensive
- Melena
- Dyspnoea
What are the differential diagnoses with a peptic ulcer? (3)
- GORD
- Gastritis
- Hiatus hernia
How would a patient presenting with a suspected peptic ulcer be investigated?
Endoscopy
What treatments are available for the treatment of peptic ulcers?
PPI - to reduce gastric acid secretion
If caused by H.pylori infection, then treat with antibiotics; metronidazole or clarithromycin
What is Crohn’s disease?
A chronic relapsing-remitting non-infections inflammatory disease of the GI tract.
Which parts of the GI tract does Crohn’s affect, and which areas are most common?
Crohn’s can affect any part, from mouth to anus, but the inflammation is not continuous, so there will be ‘skip lesions’ - parts where the GI tract is unaffected.
The most common site is the terminal ileum, but can also affect the colon, ileocolon and upper GI tract.
Which layers of the GI tract are affected in Crohns?
All of them - it is a full thickness inflammation, compared to ulcerative colitis, which just affects the intestinal mucosa
What % of people with Crohn’s disease will have extra-intestinal manifestations?
35%
What are the extra-intestinal manifestations of Crohn’s disease related to disease activity?
- Pauci-articular arthritis (pauci indicates that fewer than 5 joints are affected at time of onset)
- Erythema nodosum
- Aphthous mouth ulcers
- Episcleritis
- Metabolic bone disease
What is pauci-articular arthritis?
It is a classification of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in which fewer than 5 joints are affected, such as ankles, knees, wrists, hips, elbows and shoulders. It is usually asymmetric, acute and self-liiting (lasting for weeks) and joints tend not to be permanently damaged.
What is erythema nodosum?
Tender, red or violet subcutaneous nodules, normally 1-5cm in diameter. They are usually found on the anterior tibial area or extensor surfaces of the legs or arms
What is episcleritis?
Red eye with injected sclera and conjunctiva. It may be painless or painful with itching and burning
What are the three types of metabolic bone disease associated with Crohn’s?
- Osteopenia
- Osteoporosis
- Osteomalacia
What are the extra-intestinal manifestations of Crohn’s, not related to disease activity?
- Axial arthritis - this affects the sacroiliac joint and/or spine, causing buttock and back pain
- Polyarticular arthritis (usually symmetrical and persistent, damaging affected joints)
- Pyoderma gangrenosum
- Psoriasis
- Uveitis
- Hepatobilliary conditions
What is pyoderma gangrenosum?
Single or multiple erythematous papules or pustules develop into deep ulcers containing sterile, commonly occur on the shins and often at the site of previous trauma
What are the symptoms associated with uveitis?
Uveitis is usually bilateral, with an insidious onset and chronic course. It presents as a painful red eye, with injected conjunctiva, blurred vision, photophobia and headache
What are the hepatobilliary conditions associated with Crohn’s disease? (6)
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Pericholangitis
- Steatosis
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Gallstones
What are the risk factors associated with Crohn’s disease?
- Smoking
- Family history
- Infectious gastroenteritis
- Appendicectomy
- Drugs
What are the complications of Crohn’s disease? (7)
- Psychosocial impact - can hugely affect activities of daily living
- Abscesses - in the intestinal wall and adjacent structures
- Intestinal strictures - intestine narrows/completely obstructs the passage of bowel contents
- Fistules - the bowel wall is perforated, allowing faecal matter into adjacent structures
- Anaemia - due to iron, B12 and/or folate deficiency
- Malnutrition
- Colorectal/small bowel cancer
How might Crohn’s disease present? what are the associated symptoms?
- Otherwise unexplained persistent diarrhoea, including nocturnal diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain/discomfort
- Weight loss, faltering growth, delayed puberty
- Non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, anorexia and fever
In suspected Crohn’s disease, what may be seen on examination?
- Pallor
- Clubbing
- Mouth ulcers
- Abdominal tenderness or mass
- Perianal pain or tenderness
- Signs of malnutrition/malabsorption
What does a direct inguinal hernia protrude through?
A direct inguinal hernia arises from protrusion of abdominal viscera through a weakness of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal medial to the inferior epigastric vessels, specifically though the Hesselbach’s triangle.
Where does indirect inguinal hernias arise from?
Indirect inguinal hernias arise through the deep ring and enter the inguinal canal. They arise lateral and superior to the course of the interior epigastric vessels, lateral to the Hesselbach triangle.
How do direct inguinal hernias occur?
They are generally acquired, and increase in incidence with age. They result from weakening of the transversalis fascia in the Hesselbach triangle
Who does direct inguinal hernias more commonly occur in?
The elderly with chronic conditions which increase intra-abdominal pressure over a long period, e.g. COPD, bladder outflow obstruction etc.
Are direct inguinal hernias normally uni- or bi- lateral? and why?
They are usually bilateral as they are caused by an increase in intra-abdominal pressure which will be transmitted to both side.
Are direct inguinal hernias susceptible to strangulation?
No, not compared to indirect, as they have wide neck.
On a CT scan, what sign is indicative of direct inguinal hernias?
A lateral crescent sign (lateral crescent of fat)