Gastrointestinal conditions 3 Flashcards
Final part of GI conditions
What is Peptic ulcer disease?
A break in the mucosal lining of the stomach or duodenum more than 5mm in diameter, with depth to submucosa
What causes Peptic ulcer disease?
Imbalance between the damaging action of acid and pepsin and protective mechanisms
2 major aetological factors - H. Pylori or NSAID overuse
Most common causes: H. Pylori, NSAIDs, Alcohol, Bisphosphonates, Smoking
Rare causes: Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (Gastrin-secreting tumour)
What are the Risk Factors for Peptic ulcer disease?
Helicobacter Pylori infection NSAID use Smoking Increasing age Personal history Family history Patient in intensive care
What are the symptoms of Peptic ulcer disease?
Abdominal pain (Epigastric tenderness) Nausea Vomiting Weight loss Anorexia Diarrhoea Anaemia
What are the signs of Peptic ulcer disease?
GI bleeding
Hypotensive or septic shock
Succussion splash
What are the investigations for Peptic ulcer disease?
if <55 and no red flags - H pylori breath test/stool antigen test - FBC - Stool occult blood test - Serum Gastrin if >55 or red flags present - Upper GI endoscopy + biopsy - If ulcer present: Repeat endoscopy 6-8 weeks FBC Serum amylase Clotting screen LFT Urea breath test for H. Pylori Blood antibody test
How do you manage Peptic ulcer disease?
Acute: Fluids/Resuscitation needed if ulcer is perforated or bleeding Close monitoring of vital signs Endoscopy Surgical treatment Endoscopy: - If Ulcer is bleeding, haemostasis with: Injection sclerotherapy, laser coagulation, electrocoagulation Surgery: if perforated
What are complications of peptic ulcer disease?
Perforation
Gastric outlet obstruction
Upper GI bleeding
Perforation
What is a Perianal abscess?
A pus collection in the perianal region
What is a perianal fistula?
An abnormal chronically infected tract communicating between the perineal skin and either the anal canal or the rectum
What causes perianal abscesses/fistulae?
Bacterial infection
Fistulae develops as a complication of an abscess
Fistulae can develop as a complication of Crohn’s disease
What are the Risk factors for perianal abscesses and fistulae?
IBD Diabetes Mellitus Malignancy MSM (men who have sex with men) Immunocompromised Crohns/diverticular disease 20-60 years old Male sex
What are the symptoms of Perianal abscesses and fistulae?
Painful, hardened tissue in the perianal area Pus discharge from rectum Lump or nodule Tenderness at edge of anus Fever Constipation Pain with bowel movements Constant and throbbing pain while sat down
What are signs of perianal abscesses and fistulae?
Seen on rectal exam
Swollen, red, tender lumps at edge of anus
What investigations are done for perianal abscesses and fistulae?
DRE usually normal
STD screening
Proctosigmoidoscopy
performed to exclude associated diagnoses
Transperitoneal US may be a useful adjunct
How do you manage Perianal abscesses and fistulae?
Prompt drainage
Medication for pain relief
ABx not needed unless diabetic or immunosuppressed
Probe is inserted to explore fistulae
Dye inserted into external opening to allow you to find the internal opening
Low fistula - fistuloltomy
High fistula - seton
What are the complications of perianal abscesses and fistulae?
Recurrence
Damage to internal anal sphincter
Incontinence
Persisting pain
What is Peritonitis?
Inflammation of the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity. It can be localised to one part of the peritoneum or generalised
What are the types of Peritonitis?
Localised
Primary generalised
Secondary generalised
Primary
What causes localised peritonitis?
Appendicitis
Cholecystitis
DIverticulitis
Salpingitis
What causes Primary generalised peritonitis?
Bacterial infection of the peritoneal cavity without an obvious source
What causes Secondary generalised peritonitis?
Caused by bacterial translocation from a localised focus
Could be non-bacterial due to spillage of bowel contents, bile and blood
What are the risk factors for peritonitis?
Ascites
Nephrotic syndrome
What are the symptoms of Peritonitis?
Usually continuous, sharp, localised exacerbated by movement and coughing
May be vague in those with liver disease and ascites (due to confusion)
What are the signs of peritonitis?
Check vitals and look for signs of dehydration or compromised perfusion Localised peritonitis (Tenderness on exam, Guarding, Rebound tenderness) Generalised peritonitis (Very unwell, Systemic signs of toxaemia, lie still, shallow breathing, rigid abdomen)
What blood tests are done for Peritonitis?
FBC LFT U&E Amylase Clotting Blood culture Pregnancy test ABG
What other tests are done for Peritonitis?
Erect CXR (Check for perforation) AXR (Obstruction) USS or CT abdomen Laparoscopy If ascites - ascitic tap
How do you manage localised peritonitis?
Depends on cause
Some may need surgery and some are treated with antibiotics
How do you manage generalised peritonitis?
Risk of death from sepsis or shock IV Fluids IV Abx Urinary catheter NG tube Central venous line Laparotomy Primary peritonitis
How do you treat SBP?
Quinolone antibiotics
- OR -
Cefuroxime + Metronidazole
What are the complications of Peritonitis?
Early - Septic shock - Respiratory failure - Multiorgan failure - Paralytic ileus - Wound infection - Abscesses Late - Incisional hernia - Adhesions
What is a pilonidal sinus?
Forceful insertion of hairs into the skin of the natal cleft in the sacrococcygeal area. This promotes a chronic inflammatory reaction, causing an epithilialised sinus.
What causes a pilonidal sinus?
Hair in the natal cleft
More common in hairy people
Ingrowing of hairs excites a foreign body inflammatory reaction and may cause secondary tracks to open laterally +/- abscesses with foul-smelling discharge
What are Risk Factors for Pilonidal sinus?
Male 16-40 Family history Stiff hair Hirsutism
What are symptoms of Pilonidal sinus?
Painful natal cleft
Discharging swelling
Often recurrent
What are the signs of pilonidal sinus?
Midline openings or pits between the buttocks
Hairs may protrude from the swelling
If infection or abscess, swelling will become tender
May be fluctuant and discharge pus or blood-stained fluid on compression
What are the investigations for Pilonidal Sinus?
None needed
Bloods (Sign of infection)
- Leucocytosis
- Fasting glucose (Diabetics at risk)
What is the management of Pilonidal sinus?
Pre-op antibiotics
Acute pilonidal abscess (incision and drainage)
Chronic pilonidal sinus (Excision under GA with exploration)
Prevention (Good hygiene and shaving)
What are the complications of Pilonidal sinus?
Pain
Infection
Abscess
Recurrence
What is Portal Hypertension?
Abnormally high pressure within the hepatic portal vein
- Hepatic venous pressure >10mmHg
What causes portal hypertension?
Cirrhosis is the most common cause
Collagen deposition and fibrosis
Sodium retention and vasoactive substances such as NO
3 categories:
Pre-Hepatic
Hepaitc
Post-Hepatic
What are pre-hepatic causes of portal hypertension?
Blockage of portal vein before the liver
- Congenital stenosis
- Portal vein thrombosis
- Splenic vein thrombosis
- Extrinsic compression
What are hepatic causes of portal hypertension?
Cirrhosis Chronic hepatitis Schistosomiasis Granulomata Myeloproliferative disorder
What are post-hepatic causes of portal hypertension?
Blockage of hepatic veins or venules
- Budd-Chiari syndrome
- Constrictive pericarditis
- Right Heart failure
What are the Risk Factors for Portal hypertension? (Same as cirrhosis)
Alcoholic liver disease Hepatitis C/B Continued alcohol consumption increases rate of progression of cirrhosis from any cause Male Older age Hypertension Hyperlipidaemia
What are the symptoms of Portal hypertension?
Jaundice History of alcohol abuse Risk for Viral hepatitis Family history (e.g. Haemochromatosis) Haematemesis/melaena Lethargy, irritability, chenges in sleep Abdominal distention Abdominal pain and fever Pulmonary involvement
What are the signs of portal hypertension?
Caput medusae Splenomegaly Ascites Jaundice Spider naevi Palmar erythema Gynaecomastia Testicular atrophy
What investigations are done for Portal Hypertension?
LFTs U&Es Blood glucose FBC Clotting screen (Prolongation of PT in liver failure) Ferriting Hepatitis serology Autoantibodies (ASMA in AI hep) Alpha1-antitrypsin Ceruloplasmin Abdominal sultrasound Doppler ultrasound Hepatic venous pressure
How do you manage Portal hypertension?
Telipressin and prophylactic antibiotic
Endoscopy in 12hrs, treat with Band ligation or Injection sclerotherapy
IF not enough, TIPS
Liver transplant most curative
Beta blockers for prophylaxis of variceal bleed
What are the complications of Portal hypertension?
Bleeding from oesophageal varices
Ascites + complications (SBP, Hepatorenal syndrome, hepatic hydrothorax)
Pulmonary complications (Hepatopulmonary syndrome)
Liver failure
Hepatic encephalopathy
Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy
What is the triad of Hepatopulmonary syndrome?
Hepatic dysfunction Hypoxaemia Extreme vasodilation (Intrapulmonary vascular dilatation)
What is Primary Billiary cirrhosis?
AI chronic inflammatory liver disease involving progressive destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts, leading to cholestasis, and ultimately, cirrhosis
What causes primary biliary cirrhosis?
AI disease
Environmentally triggered in those predisposed
High concordance in twins
Strong Family histories
Characterised by chronic AI granulomatous inflammation which leads to fibrosis, cirrhosis and portal HTN
What are the Risk Factors for Primary biliary cirrhosis?
Women
45-55
Northern European descent
Family history
What are the symptoms of Primary Biliary cirrhosis?
Incidental finding (Raised ALP)
Vague symptoms (Fatigue, weight loss, pruritus)
Discomfort in RUQ
Complication of liver decompensation
May present with assocaited symptoms (e.g. Sjorgen’s syndrome, arthritis, raynaud’s phenomenom)
What are the Signs of Primary Biliary cirrhosis?
Early - no signs Late - Jaundice - Skin pigmentation - Scratch marks - Xanthomas - Hepatosplenomegaly - Ascites - Signs of chronic liver disease
What are the investigations for PBC?
LFT (High ALP + GGT, Raised bilirubin, Low albumin, High PT time)
Clotting: Prolongation of PT
Antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs hallmark of PBC)
High IgM
High cholesterol
TFTs
US (Exclude gallstones)
What is Primary sclerosing cholangitis?
A chronic cholestatic liver disease chatacterised by progressive periductal or intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, leading to reactive proliferation and fibrosis, and eventually cirrhosis
What causes primary sclerosing cholangitis?
Periductal inflammation with peridcutal concentric fibrosis Portal oedema Bile duct proliferation Expansion of portal tracts Progressive fibrosis Development of biliary cirrhosis
What are the Risk factors for Primary sclerosing cholangitis?
Male
IBD
Genetic predisposition
What are the symptoms of Primary sclerosing cholangitis?
Asymptomatic, diagnosed after persistent ALP Present with: - Intermittent jaundice - Pruritis - RUQ pain - Weight loss - Fatigue
What are the signs of Primary sclerosing cholangitis?
No signs Jaundice Hepatosplenomegaly Spider naevi Palmar erythema Ascites