Gastrointestinal diseases Flashcards
Presentation of dysmenorrhea?
Chronic pelvic pain in a woman of reproductive age. It is a cause of cyclical pelvic pain, it comes and goes in predictable intervals which may be known or unbeknownst to the patient.
What is primary dysmenorrhea?
Cyclical menstrual pain with no identifiable underlying cause
What is secondary dysmenorrhea?
Cyclical menstrual pain with an underlying cause.
Risk factors for primary dysmenorrhea?
- Earlier age at menarche
- Longer menstrual period
- Higher BMI
- Smoking
- Parity appears to be associated with decreased incidence of primary dysmenorrhea
Pathophysiology of primary dysmenorrhea
During menstruation, endometrial cells releaseprostaglandins. Women with primary dysmenorrhea appear to release higher levels of prostaglandins.
What is the #1 cause of secondary dysmenorrhea?
Endometriosis
Primary dysmenorrhea vs secondary dysmenorrhea?
Primary: Age: 16-26 Onset of pain: just prior to menses Symptoms: pain only Response: Responds to NSAIDs and COCs Physical exam: Unremarkable
Secondary: Age: 30-45 years Onset of pain: Often progresses through late luteal phase Symptoms: other sx usually present Response: Resistance to NSAIDS and COCs Physical exam: Depend on cause
Secondary dysmenorrhea should be strongly suspected in women who?
- Have onset of dysmenorrhea after 25 y
- Have abnormal pelvic exam findings
- Have infertility or menstrual abnormalities
- Have dyspareunia
- Do not respond to conventional therapy for primary dysmenorrhea.
Treating primary dysmenorrhea?
- NSAIDS = first line
- COC or progestin-only contraceptives may be used in patients who do not respond to NSAIDs or as a first-line in patients also desiring contraception.
Mittelschmerz, what is this?
German for “middle pain”. Classically, one-sided lower abdominal pain that coincides with ovulation.
Precise mechanism of pain is unknown. Possibly due to release of fluid or blood from the follicule which irritates the lining of the abdomen. May last from minutes to up to 48h. Treatment is OTC analgesics.
Benign vs malignant trophoblastic disease
- Benign (75%)
- Complete molar pregnancy (90%)
- Partial molar pregnancy (10%) - Malignant (25%)
- Persistent/invasive mole (75%)
- Choriocarcinoma (25%)
- Placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) (<1%).
What is gestational trophoblastic disease?
The presence of abnormal tissue derived from fetal cells. Also known as “molar pregnancy” or “hydatidiform moles”
What is the most common “form” of GTD?
Complete (classic) moles are most common (90%). The rest are partial (incomplete) moles 10%.
Risk factors of benign GTD?
Hx of previous molar pregnancy Extremes in age Nulliparity Diet Smoking Hx of OCP use
hCG-level of complete molar pregnancy, and symptoms?
VERY high hCG.
- Most women will present when they notice cherry-like clusters per vagina.
- Nausea, vomiting, irritability, dizziness, photophobia, nervousness, anorexia, tremor
- Larger uterus
- Pre eclamptic signs may be noted (Htn, Swelling etc)
!NB: Pre-eclampsia before 20 weeks is pathognomic for molar pregnancy !
Treatment of complete molar pregnancy?
Immediate D&C under general anesthesia.
What should you follow up on after D&C in complete molar pregnancy?
- Obtain quantitative hCG titer 48hrs P/O
- Serial quantitative hCGs weekly until levels are normal for three consecutive weeks
- After hCG levels normalized, serial quantative hCGs monthly for 6 months
What should you put the patient on after D&C in complete molar pregnancy?
Barrier contraception should be used until hCG normalizes. Hormonal contraception may be used thereafter.
What is Partial Molar Pregnancy characterized by?
Arises from dispermic fertilization.
Characterized by focal hydropic villi and proliferation of cytotrophoblasts. There is often a fetus, though many abnormalities will usually be apparent, e.g IUGR, hydrocephaly, syndactyly.
! Oligohydramnios !
Hihger malignant potential compared to partial molar pregnancies.
How will the levels of hCG be in a partial molar pregnancy?
As the cytotrophoblast does not produce hCG, levels in partial molar pregnancy will be “normal”.
Clinical presentation of a partial molar pregnancy?
Usually presents as a spontaneous abortion around the late first to early second semester. May be diagnosed at routine ultrasound for pregnancy. Exam is typically unremarkable.