Gastrointestinal

Question 1

What is the difference between “diverticulosis” and “diverticulitis”?

Answer 1

• Diverticulosis is the presence of outpouchings without any symptoms
• Diverticulitis is the presence of outpouchings WITH symptoms

Question 2

Where in the GI tract would diverticula be found?

Answer 2

Small and large intestines

Question 3

Explain the difference between true and false diverticula

Answer 3

• True: involves all layers of the wall, is usually congenital
• False: only involves the mucosal layer, is usually acquired

Question 4

Define a Meckel’s Diverticulum

Answer 4

True, congenital, in ileum, may contain choristomata of pancreatic/gastric tissue. Presentation can be referred to as “left-sided appendicitis”.

Question 5

What disorder is sometimes referred to as “left-sided appendicitis”?

Answer 5

Meckel’s Diverticulum

Question 6

What is the most common presentation of diverticula in the jejunum?

Answer 6

False diverticula, asymptomatic

Question 7

Where in the GI tract can be affected by Crohn’s disease, and where is most common?

Answer 7

Anywhere in the GIT, commonly in ileum

Question 8

What are the features of Crohn’s disease?

Answer 8

Autoimmune disorder, idiopathic, relapsing/remitting granulomatous inflammation, skip lesions/cobblestone pattern

Question 9

What are skip lesions in Crohn’s disease?

Answer 9

Areas of ulceration that skip sections of normal tissue and resume further along

Question 10

What are ileo-colic fistulae and where are they seen?

Answer 10

Ulcerated invasions of ileum into the colon. Seen in Crohn’s disease

Question 11

What are some causes of malabsorption syndrome?

Answer 11

• Coeliac disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Parasites eg worms
• Liver disease
• Ileal resection
• Pancreatic insufficiency

Question 12

List some examples of tumours found in the small intestine

Answer 12

• Lipoma
• Leiomyoma
• Carcinoid tumour

Question 13

What are the two disorders of the pancreas and how are they resolved?

Answer 13

• Mucocoele: obstruction causing mucous accumulation. Resolves self.
• Appendicitis (acute): obstruction causing infection, requires urgent surgical removal.

Question 14

Define a volvulus

Answer 14

Intestinal obstruction where the bowel twists or rotates

Question 15

What is meconium ileus and what disease is it a sign of in infants?

Answer 15

thick, sticky mucous (meconium) in intestine - it is a sign that the child has cystic fibrosis

Question 16

Define intussesception

Answer 16

Invagination of part of bowel into lumen of an immediately distal section.