Gastrointestinal and Nutritional Flashcards
What is an anal fissure?
tearing rectal pain and bleeding which occurs with or shortly after defecation, bright red blood on toilet paper
- superficial laceration (paper cut like)
- pain lasts for several hours and subsides until the next bowel movement
What is the tx of anal fissure?
sitz baths, increase dietary fiber, and water intake, stool softeners or laxatives
- usually heals in 6 weeks
- botulinum toxin A injection (if failed conservative treatment)
What are the characteristics of an appendicitis?
the first symptom is crampy or “colicky” pain around the navel (periumbilical)
- there is usually a marked reduction in or total absence of appetite, often associated with nausea, and occasionally, vomiting and low-grade fever
- as the inflammation increases, the abdominal pain tends to move downward - begins in epigastrium - umbilicus - RLQ
- right lower quadrant = “McBurney’s point.” this “rebound tenderness” suggests inflammation has spread to the peritoneum
What are the signs of appendicitis?
- Rovsing - RLQ pain with palpation of LLQ
- Obturator sign - RLQ pain with internal rotation of the hip
- Psoas sign - RLQ pain with hip extension
How is appendicitis clinical diagnosis?
- imaging if atypical presentation - apply ultrasound or abdominal CT scan
- CBC - neutrophilia supports the diagnosis
What is the tx of appendicitis?
surgical appendectomy
What are the characteristics of small bowel obstruction?
- colicky abdominal pain, nausea, bilious vomiting, obstipation, abdominal distention
- hyperactive bowel sounds (early) or hypoactive bowel sounds (late), prior abdominal surgery
- dehydration + electrolyte imbalances
- MCC: adhesions or hernias, cancer, IBD, volvulus, and intussusception
- KUB shows dilated loops of bowel with air-fluid levels with little or no gas in the colon
What are the 4 cardinal signs of strangulated bowel?
fever, tachycardia, leukocytosis, and localized abdominal tenderness
What are the characteristics of large bowel obstruction?
- gradually increasing abdominal pain with longer intervals between episodes of pain, abdominal distention, obstipation, less vomiting (feculent), more common in the elderly
- febrile, tachycardia - shock
- dehydration + electrolyte imbalances
- MCC: cancer, structures, hernias, volvulus, and fecal impaction
- KUB shows dilated loop of bowel with air-fluid levels with little or no gas in the colon
What do you look for with bowel obstruction?
vomiting of partially digested food, severe abdominal distensions and high pitched hyperactive bowel sounds progressing to silent bowel sounds
-KUB shows dilated loops of bowel with air-fluid levels with little or no gas in the colon
What is the tx of bowel obstruction?
bowel rest, NG tube placement, surgery as directed by the underlying cause
What is cholelithiasis?
a precursor to cholecystitis
- stones in the gallbladder, pain secondary to contraction of gall against the obstructed cystic duct
- asymptomatic (most), symptoms only last few hours
- biliary colic - RUQ pain or epigastric
- pain after eating and at night
- boas sign - referred right subscapular pain
- RUQ ultrasound - high sensitivity and specificity if >2 mm, CT scan and MRI
What is the tx of cholelithiasis?
asymptomatic - no treatment necessary
-elective cholecystectomy for recurrent bouts
What is cholecystitis?
inflammation of the gallbladder; usually associated with gallstones
What is the presentation of cholecystitis?
5 Fs: Female, Fat, Forty, Febrile, Fair
- (+) Murphy’s sign (RUQ pain with GB palpation on inspiration)
- RUQ pain after a high-fat meal
- low-grade fever, leukocytosis, jaundice
How is cholecystitis diagnosed?
- ultrasound is the preferred initial imaging - gallbladder wall >3 mm, pericholecystic fluid, gallstones
- HIDA is the best test (gold standard) - when ultrasound is inconclusive
- CT scan - alternative, more sensitive for perforation, abscess, pancreatitis
- Labs: increase All-P and increase GGT, increase conjugated bilirubin
- porcelain gallbladder = chronic cholecystitis
- choledocholithiasis = stones in common bile duct - diagnosed with ERCP (gold standard)
What is the tx of cholecystitis?
cholecystectomy (first 24-48 hours)
What is cirrhosis?
a chronic liver disease characterized by fibrosis, disruption of the liver architecture, and widespread nodules in the liver
What is the most common cause of cirrhosis?
alcoholic liver disease
What is the second most common cause of cirrhosis?
chronic hepatitis B and C infections
What labs are needed for cirrhosis?
typically AST > ALT
What are the characteristics of cirrhosis?
increase risk for hepatocellular carcinoma - 10-25% of patients with cirrhosis - monitor AFP
-hepatic vein thrombosis (Budd Chiari Syndrome): a triad of abdominal pain, ascites, and hepatomegaly
What is portal hypertension?
decreased blood flow through the liver - hypertension in portal circulation; causes ascites, peripheral edema, splenomegaly, varicosity of veins
What is ascites?
accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity due to portal HTN and hypoalbuminemia
- the most common complication of cirrhosis
- abdominal distention, shifting fluid dullness, fluid wave
- abdominal ultrasound, diagnostic paracentesis - measure serum albumin gradient
- self restriction and diuretics (furosemide and spironolactone)
- paracentesis if tense ascites, SOB, or early satiety
What is an esophageal variceal rupture?
dilated submucosal veins, retching or dyspepsia, hypovolemia, hypotension, and tachycardia
What is hepatorenal syndrome?
progressive renal failure in ESLD, secondary to renal hypo perfusion from vasoconstriction - azotemia (elevated BUN), oliguria (low urine output, hypotension
What is hepatic encephalopathy?
ammonia accumulates and reaches the brain causing decrease mental function, confusion, poor concentration
- asterixis (flapping tremor) - have patient flex hands
- dysarthria, delirium, and coma
What is hepatocellular failure?
decrease albumin synthesis and clotting factor synthesis
-prolonged PT - PTT in severe disease - tx with fresh frozen plasma
What is the presentation of cirrhosis?
- ascites, pulmonary edema/effusion, esophageal varices, Terry’s nails (white nail beds)
- skin changes: spider angiomata, palmar erythema, jaundice, scleral icterus, ecchymoses, caput Medusa, hyperpigmentation
What is the tx of cirrhosis?
avoid alcohol, restrict salt, transplant
- monitoring: periodic lab values every 3-4 months (CBC, renal function, electrolytes, LFT, coagulation panel), perform endoscopy for varices
- abdominal ultrasound every 6-12 months to screen for hepatoceulluar carcinoma
- CT-guided biopsy for hepatocellular carcinoma
What are colonic polyps?
are common; the incidence ranges from 7 to 50% of people (depending on the diagnostic method used)
What are the characteristics of colonic polyps?
The main concerns is malignant transformation, which occurs at different rates depending on the size and type of polyp
- polyps in the distal colon are commonly benign if seen in the proximal colon they are more likely to be cancerous
- the larger the colonic polyp, the greater the risk of malignant transformation
- villous adenomas have 30-70% risk of malignant transformation
- the greater the number of concomitant colonic polyps, the greater the risk of malignant transformation
- once identified follow-up colonoscopy in 3-5 years
What is the most common cause of painless rectal bleeding in the pediatric population?
colonic polyps
What are familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)?
is characterized by the developmental of hundreds to thousands of colonic adenomatous polyps
What are the characteristics of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)?
- autosomal dominant
- colorectal polyps develop by a mean age of 15 years and cancer at 40 years
- first-degree relatives of patients with FAP should undergo genetic screening after age 10 years
- risk of colorectal cancer 100% by 30-40 years of age
- the family should undergo yearly sigmoidoscopy beginning at 12 years of age
- prophylactic colectomy recommended
What is colon cancer?
painless rectal bleeding and a change in bowel habits in patients 50-80 years of age
-apple core lesion on barium enema, adenoma most common type
When should screening for colon cancer begin?
screening with colonoscopy begins at 50 then every 10 years until 75
- fecal occult blood testing - annually after age 50
- flexible sigmoidoscopy - every 5 years with FOB testing
- colonoscopy - every 10 years
- CT colonography - every 5 years
When is the tumor marker for colon cancer?
CEA
- more likely to be malignant: sessile, >1 cm, villous
- less likely to be malignant: pedunculate, <1 cm, tubular
What is the tx for colon cancer?
resect tumors and adjuvant chemotherapy
What is constipation?
according to the Rome III criteria, functional constipation is defined as two of the following features
- straining
- lumpy hard stools
- a sensation of incomplete evacuation
- use of digital maneuvers
- a sensation of anorectal obstruction or blockage with 25 percent of bowel movements
- a decrease in stool frequency (less than three bowel movements per week)
How long does a pt need to have symptoms of constipation before dx?
the above criteria must be fulfilled for the last three months with symptom onset six months prior to diagnosis, loose stools should rarely be present without the use of laxatives, and there must be insufficient criteria for a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome
- opiate use is a classic cause of constipation, all patients on chronic opioids should be prophylaxes with stool softener
- patients who are older than 50 with new-onset constipation should be evaluated for colon cancer
- think of causes of secondary causes of constipation: DM, hypothyroidism, MS, dehydration, medications are common
What is the treatment of constipation?
increase fiber (20-25 grams per day), exercise and water in the diet
-the effects of fiber on bowel movements may take several weeks
Laxatives: laxative usage in older adults should be individualized based on the patient’s history, comorbidities, drug interactions, and side effects
-bulk-forming laxatives first line - bulk-forming laxatives include psyllium seed (eg, Metamucil), methyl cellulose (eg, Citrucel), calcium polycarbophil (eg FiberCon), and wheat dextrin (eg Benefiber)
-osmotic laxatives can be used in patients not responding satisfactorily to bulking agents, start with low-dose polyethylene glycol (PEG) as it has been demonstrated to be efficacious and well-tolerated in older adults
-stimulant laxatives - stimulant laxatives affect electrolyte transport across the intestinal mucosa and enhance colonic transport and motility
-stool softeners, suppositories (glycerin or bisacodyl), and enemas have limited clinical efficacy and should only be used in specific clinical scenarios
-a patient with constipation lasting for more than 2 weeks that is refractory to treatments should undergo further investigation to identify the underlying cause
What is acute viral gastroenteritis?
- diarrhea breakout in a daycare center: Rotavirus
- diarrhea on a cruise ship: norovirus
- the most common cause of acute diarrhea
- viral cause: rotavirus, Norwalk virus, enterovirus
- duration 48-72 Horus by symptoms may linger up to one week
- myalgias, malaise, possible low-grade fever
- headache, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting
- supportive look for similar illness in family members
What are the labs for acute viral gastroenteritis?
- fecal leukocytes: none
- hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis
What is traveler’s diarrhea?
- e-coli
- Food and water contaminated with fecal matter
- Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), campylobacter, salmonella, shigella
- occurs in the first 2 weeks of travel, lasts 4 days without treatment
How is traveler’s diarrhea defined as?
3+ unformed stools in 24 h with at least one of the following: fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, tenesmus, bloody stools
What are the complications of traveler’s diarrhea?
dehyration (MC), guillain-barre, reiter syndrome
What is the clinical dx of traveler’s diarrhea?
fecal leukocytes, clostridium difficile toxin, test 3 stool samples for ova and parasites, bacterial stool culture, FOBT
What is the tx of traveler’s diarrhea?
empiric treatment with ciprofloxacin 500 mg BID x 1-3 d and loperamide (if older than 2 y)
-campylobacter and Shigella: treat with fluoroquinolone
-FQ-resistant, children, pregnant: azithromycin
-complications from treatment: C. difficile colitis
-Bismuth-subsalicylate is 60%
-not recommended for patients taking anticoagulants or other salicylates
-AE: black tongue, dark stools, tinnitus, Reye syndrome in children
Prophylaxis
-prophylaxis with a fluoroquinolone is 90% effective
-bismuth-subsalicylate taken daily as either 2 oz of liquid or 2 chewable tablets 4 times per day reduces the incidence of TD by approximately 50%
What is salmonella?
diarrhea from poultry, pork, or raw eggs
-although there are many types of salmonella, they can be divided into two broad categories: those that cause typhoid and enteric fever and those that primarily induce gastroenteritis
Wha are the characteristics of enteric fever (salmonella typhi)?
a flu-like bacterial infection characterized by fever GI symptoms, and headache
- transmitted via the consumption of fecally contaminated food or water
- GI symptoms may be marked constipation or “pea soup diarrhea”
- rose spots may be present (2-3 mm papule on trunk usually)
- more common in the developing world (usually immigration cases)
What is gastroenteritis (salmonella Typhimurium, Enteritidis and Newport)?
- results from improperly handled food that has been contaminated by animal or human fecal material
- it can also be acquired via the fecal-oral route, either from other humans or farm or pet animals
- it is estimated that 1 in 10,00 egg yolks is infected with salmonella enteritidis
- inflammatory diarrhea (small volume), nausea, and vomiting
- symptoms appear 24-48 hours after ingesting food
What is the dx of salmonella?
possible fever + fecal leukocytes, C. difficile toxin and culture, test 3 stool samples for ova and parasites, bacterial stool culture
-hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis
What is the tx of salmonella?
ceftriaxone and sometimes a fluoroquinolone or azithromycin
- no treatment expect in immunocompromised or enteric fever (S. typhi)
- without antibiotics, the mortality rate is about 12%
- with prompt therapy, the mortality rate is 1% a vaccine is available
What is shigella?
shigellosis predominantly affects children and is often spread in areas with crowded condition (like daycare centers)
- abdominal pain and inflammatory diarrhea (small volume), frequent, mucous and bloody stool, nausea, vomiting (less common), possible fever
- tenesmus: a feeling of constantly needing to pass stools
How is shigella dx?
- fecal leukocytes: (+)
- c. difficile toxin and culture test 3 stool samples for ova and parasites bacterial stool culture
- hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis
- produces the largest quantity of fecal leukocytes than any other cause of gastroenteritis
What is the tx of Shigella?
TMP -SMX is the antibiotic of choice, although ciprofloxacin or a fluoroquinolone may be substituted; amoxicillin is not effective
-drugs to stop diarrhea (such as diphenoxylate or loperamide) may prolong the infection and should not be used
What is Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), also referred to by E.coli O157:H7 or Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC)?
consumption of undercooked ground beef Shiga-like toxin
- onset 12-60 hour and symptom duration: 5-10 d
- watery, voluminous, nonbloody diarrhea with nausea and vomiting = dysentery (bloody)
- no fecal leukocytes
What is the tx of Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), also referred to by E.coli O157:H7 or Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC)?
antibiotics not recommended, expect in severe disease
-complications: hemolytic uremic syndrome (AKI, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia)
What is Enteroinvacise E. coli (EIEC)?
source: food
-onset: 5-15 d
-duration: 1-5 d
-cramping, watery diarrhea
-fecal leukocytes (+)
Pepto-Bismol, Imodium hydration
What is cholera?
causes a life-threatening, rice water diarrhea
- the organism is typically found in seafood - consumption of contaminated, locally harvested shellfish
- onset: 24-48 h after consumption
What is the treatment of cholera?
treated with both glucose and Na rich electrolyte fluids
-doxycycline, azithromycin, furazolidone, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), or ciprofloxacin, depending on results of susceptibility testing
What is infectious esophagitis?
immunosuppressed patients with AIDS, solid organ transplants, leukemia, and lymphoma
- MC pathogens: candida albicans, herpes simplex, CMV, odynophagia, dysphagia, substernal chest pain
- candida: linear yellow-white plaques - oral thrust (75%)
- CMV: large solitary ulcers or erosions on EGD - infection at other sites (colon, retina)
- HSV: shallow punched out lesions on EGD
- oral ulcers (herpes labialis)
How is infectious esophagitis dx?
endoscopy with biopsy and brushings
What is the tx of infectious esophagitis?
candida: fluxonazole 100 mg BID x 14-21 d
-AIDS - HAART
-Herpetic: symptomatic TX unless immunocompromised
then acyclovir x 2-3 wk
-CMB - ganciclovir 3-6 wk