Gastrointestinal Conditions 1 Flashcards
1st/3rd of GI conditions Will redo them in summer to be the Hepatobiliary!
Define Achalasia?
Oesophageal motor disorder of unknown aetiology, characterised by oesophageal aperistalsis and insufficient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation in response to swallowing
What Causes Achalasia?
Inflammatory destruction of inhibitory nitrinergic neurons in the Auerbach plexus results in loss of Peristalsis and incomplete lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation
What condition causes a similar disorder to Achalasia?
Chaga’s disease, an infection of trypanosoma cruzi seen in South america, also causes myocarditis
What are risk factors for Achalasia?
Allgrove syndrome (achalasia, alacrima and adrenal insufficiency) due to ACTH insensitivity
Herpes and Measles virus
AI disease
HLA class II antigens (increased in those with achalasia)
Consanguineous parents
What are the symptoms of Achalasia?
Insidious onset with gradual progression of:
Intermittent dysphagia for solids and liquids
Difficulty belching
Regurgitation
Heartburn
Chest pain
Weight loss
What are the signs of Achalasia?
May show signs of complications:
Aspiration pneumonia
Malnutrition
Weight loss
What are investigations for Achalasia?
Upper GI endoscopy (mucosa obscured by saliva) Barium swallow (Loss of peristalsis and delayed emptying) Oesophageal manometry (incomplete LOS relaxation with wet swallows) CXR (Absence of gastric gas bubble or unusual shape)
Define Acute Cholangitis?
Known as ascending cholangitis, is an infection of the biliary tree, most commonly caused by obstruction
In which type of people is Acute cholangitis more common?
Latin americans and American indians
Age between 50 and 60
1-3% after ERCP
What causes Acute cholangitis?
Most common: Cholelithiasis leading to choledocholithiasis and biliary obstruction
Iatrogenic biliary duct injury, most commonly caused by surgery
Leads to benign strictures leading to obstruction
What are the Risk Factors for Acute cholangitis?
Age >50 years Cholelithiasis Benign stricture Malignant stricture Post-procedure injury of bile ducts HIV infection History of sclerosing cholangitis
What are the signs of Acute cholangitis?
Raynaud’s Pentad and Prutitus
What Makes up Reynaud’s pentad?
Charcot’s triad
Mental confusion
Hypotension
What Makes up Charcot’s triad?
RUQ pain
Jaundice
Fever with Rigors
What are the signs of Acute cholangitis?
RUQ tenderness Positive Murphy's sign Mild hepatomegaly Jaundice Sepsis Mental status change Tachycardia Peritonitis Hypotension
Investigations for acute cholangitis?
Bloods FBC (Leucocytis, thrombocytopenia) Raised Serum Urea and Creatinine Raised Serum LFTs Raised CRP Low Serum Potassium and Magnesium Blood cultures (Gram negative bacteria) Coagulation panel (PT raised with sepsis)
Imaging
X-ray KUB (Stones)
Abdominal Ultrasound (Stones)
MRCP (Look for non-calcified stones)
How do you manage acute cholangitis?
Fluid resuscitation
Correct coagulopathy
Administer broad-spectrum ABx
How do you stage Acute cholangitis?
Comes down to 3 categories A. Systemic inflammation - A1 Fever and/or shaking chills, temp >38 - A2 Laboratory data of inflam response - abnormal WCC, increase CRP B. Cholestasis - B1 Jaundice - B2 Lab data raised LFTs C. Imaging - C1 Biliary dilatation - C2 Evidence of aetiology on imaging
One from A, B and C is a definitive diagnosis
What are complications of Acute Cholangitis?
Acute Pancreatitis
Inadequate biliary drainage following endoscopy, radiology or surgery
Hepatic abscess
Define alcoholic liver disease
3 stages of liver damage: Fatty liver (Steatosis), Alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic liver cirrhosis
What are the Risk Factors for alcoholic liver disease?
Prolonged and heavy alcohol consumption Hep C Female sex Cigarette smoking Obesity Age >65 years Hispanic ethnicitiy Genetic predisposition
What are the symptoms of Alcoholic liver disease
Abdominal pain Haematemesis Malaena Weight loss Distension Fatigue Anorexia Confusion Itchiness Gynaecomastia Peripheral neuropathy
What are the signs of Alcoholic liver disease?
Hepatosplenomegaly Jaundice Palmar erythema Ascites Asterixis Dupuytren's contracture Finger clubbing
What investigations do you do for Alcoholic liver disease?
Raised LFTs and bilirubin
Low albumin
FBC (Anaemia, leucocytosis, thrombocytopenia, high MCV)
Serum Urea and Creatinine (Normal or elevated)
Serum ANA (Exclude PBC)
Imaging Hepatic ultrasound (hepatomegaly, fatty liver) Upper GI endoscopy Liver Biopsy EEG
Management of Alcoholic liver disease?
1st line: Alcohol abstinence +/- withdrawal management (diazepam) + Pabrinex
2nd line: Liver transplant + Abstinence
Ascites - Furosemide
Protein restriction in those with encephalopathy
What are the complications of Alcoholic liver disease
Hepatic encephalopathy Portal Hypertension Gastrointestinal bleeding Coagulopathy Renal failure Hepatorenal syndrome (kidneys have reduced bloos flow due to reduced blood flow to liver) Hepatocellular carcinoma Sepsis
What is the prognosis of someone with Alcoholic liver disease
10% die in first month
40% die in first year
If alcohol continues, becomes cirrhosis
Define anal fissure
Anal fissure is a split in the skin of the distal anal canal by pain on defecation and rectal bleeding
What causes an anal fissure?
Most are caused by hard faeces
Anal sphincter spasm can constrict the inferior rectal artery, causing ischaemia
What are rarer causes of Anal fissure?
Syphilis Herpes Trauma Crohn's Anal Cancer Psoriasis
What are the symptoms of an Anal fissure?
Tearing pain when passing stools
Anal sphincter spasm
Anal itching
What are signs for an anal fissure?
Tears in the squamous lining of the anus on exam
What are the investigations for Anal fissure?
External examination of the anus
What are conservative managements for anal fissure?
High Fibre diet
Softening the stools
Good hydration
What are medical treatments for an anal fissure?
Lidocaine ointment (Local anaesthetic)
GTN ointment (Relaxes sphincter)
Ditliazem
Botulinum injection
What are surgical treatments for anal fissures?
Lateral partial internal sphincterotomy
What are the complications of Anal fissures?
Chronic Anal fissure
Incontinence after surgery
Recurrence
What is Appendicitis?
Sudden inflammation of the appendix
What causes appendicitis?
Gut organisms invading the appendix wall after lumen obstruction
What are the symptoms of Appendicitis?
Umbilical pain that moves to the RIF
Anorexia
Vomiting
Constipation
At what point does appendicitis pain localise?
Mcburney’s point
What are the signs of appendicitis?
Tachycardia Fever Furred tongue Bad breath Lying still Shallow breaths Guarding
What are unusual presentations of Appendicitis?
Flank/RUQ pain, only sign may be tenderness on DRE
Child may have vague abdominal pain and will not eat favourite food
May have a choked, confused, elderly patient
What are the Eponymous Signs seen in appendicitis?
Rovsig’s sign
Psoas Sign
Cope’s Sign
What is Rovsig’s sign?
Palpation of left iliac fossa causes more pain in RIF than left
What is Psoas sign?
Pain on extension of hip caused by retrocaecal pelvis (so not always seen)
What is Cope’s sign?
Pain on flexion and internal rotation of the hip (if appendix is in close proximity to the obturator internus)
What investigations are done for Appendicitis?
FBC CRP Pregnancy - rule out ectopic Ultrasound CT Urinalysis - exclude UTI
What would be seen on investigations for appendicitis?
Leucocytosis
Raised CRP
How do you manage appendicitis?
Prompt appendicectomy
May be an alternative to surgery with medications
Pre-operative antibiotics
What are possible complications of Appendicitis?
Perforation
Infection
Appendix mass
Appendix abscess
What is Autoimmune Hepatitis?
Chronic hepatitis of unknown aetiology, characterised by AI features, hyperglobulinaemia and the presence of circulating autoantibodies
What is the cause of autoimmune hepatitis?
In a genetically predisposed individual, an environamental agent may lead to hepatocyte expression of HLA antigens, which then become the focus of a principally T-cell mediated AI attack
What are the 2 major forms of AI hepatitis?
Type 1
- ANA
- ASMA
- Anti-Actin antibodies
- Anti-soluble liver antigen (Anti-SLA)
Type 2
- Antibodies to liver/kidney microsomes (ALKM-1)
- Antibodies to Liver cytosol antigen (ALC-1)
What are the Risk Factors for AI hepatitis?
Female Genetics - Type 1 associated with DR3/DR4 - Type 2 associated with DQB1/DRB1 Immune dysregulation (Thyroiditis/Graves/T1DM/UC/Coeliac) Viral infection (MMR/EBV/Hepatitis)
What are the symptoms of AI hepatitis?
Malaise Fatigue Anorexia Weight loss Nausea Jaundice Epistaxis
What are the signs of AI hepatitis?
Stigmata of chronic liver disease
Ascites, Oedema and Hepatic encephalopathy are late features
Cushingoid fetures may be present
What investigations are done for AI hepatitis?
LFTs Clotting screen FBC Viral serology Antibody assay
What can be seen on Investigations of AI hepatitis?
Raised LFTs High PT Anaemia, Thrombocytopenia, leucocytopenia No viruses Antibodies vary on type 1 or type 2
What is Barret’s Oesophagus?
Change from normal squamous epithelium to metaplastic columnar epithelium due to GORD
Who is most affected by Barret’s oesophagus?
Caucasian people
NSAIDs and Helicobacter are protective
What causes Barret’s oesophagus?
Occur if the Cardiac Sphincter is not working properly
Hiatus Hernia makes GORD more likely
What are the Risk Factors for Barret’s Oesophagus?
Chronic GORD
Hiatus Hernia
Obesity
Alcohol intake
What are the Risk Factors for developing adenocarcinoma?
Male Increasing age Extended segment disease Intestinal metaplasia Early age GORD Mucosal damage Family history
What are the signs and symptoms of Barret’s Oesophagus?
Heartburn Nausea Water-brash Bloating Belching Burning pain when swallowing
What investigations can be done for Barret’s oesophagus?
Endoscopy
Biopsy
What can be seen on investigation of someone with Barret’s Oesophagus?
Endoscopy - visible columnarisation
Biopsy - show columnarisation
What is the management of Barret’s Oesophagus?
Depends on degree of dysplasia!
High grade - Radiofrequency ablation + PPI
Low grade - Endoscopic resection + PPI
Non-dysplastic - PPI + surveillance
What are the complications of Barret’s Oesophagus?
Developing Adenocarcinoma of the Oesophagus
What is Cholangiocarcinoma?
Primary adenocarcinoma of the biliary tree
What are Risk Factors for Cholangiocarcinoma?
UC + PSC
Choledochal cyst
Caroli disease
Parasitic infection of biliary tract
What are symptoms of Cholangiocarcinoma?
Jaundice Pale stools Dark Urine Pruritis Abdominal pain Systemic symptoms of malignancy
What are the signs of Cholangiocarcinoma?
Jaundice
Palpable Gallbladder
Epigastric/RUQ mass
May be hepatomegaly
What is Courvoisier’s law?
In the presence of Jaundice, a palpable Gall bladder (That is non tender) is unlikely to be due to gallstones
(i.e. Pancreatic cancer or biliary tree more likely)
What investigations are done for cholangiocarcinoma?
FBC U&Es LFTs (Rasied ALP + GGT) Clotting screen Tumour markers (CA19-9) ERCP Bone scan MRI/CT
Which Tumours does tumour marker CA19-9 mark for?
Pancreatic
Cholangiocarcinoma
What is Cholecystitis?
Acute Gallbladder inflammation
It is a major complication of Gallstones
There is acalculous cholecystitis (Starvation, TPN, narcotic analgesia, immobility)
What causes Cholescystitis?
90% gallstones
Rarely acalculous
Rarely EBV infections
Secondary infection with Gram -ve flora is most causes of acalculous cholecystitis
Helminthic infection is a major cause of biliary disease in asia, S. America and S. Africa
What are Strong Risk Factors for Cholecystitis?
Gall stones
Severe illness
TPN
Diabetes
What are weak Risk Factors for Cholecystitis?
Physical inactivity Low fibre intake Trauma Severe Burns Ceftriaxone Ciclosporin Hepatic arterial embolus Infections
What are symptoms of Cholecystitis?
Unwell
Fever
Prolonged upper abdominal pain, referred to the Right shoulder
What are signs of Cholecystitis?
Tachycardia Pyrexia Local peritonism RUQ pain or epigastric tenderness Positive Murphy's sign Guarding and/or rebound tenderness
What is Murphy’s sign?
Ask the patient to breath in as you place your hand just under the costal margin in the MCL on the right.
If the Patient catches their breath, that is Murphy’s sign.
However, Murphy’s sign is only positive if they dont catch their breath on the left