Gastrointestinal including liver Flashcards
Conditions and presentation
Acute pancreatitis symptoms
- stabbing-like, epigastric pain radiating to the back.
- foetal position is usally taken
- associated with vomiting
- assoicated with alcohol consumption
Clinical signs of pancreatitis
- hypovolaemia
- fever
- Non-specific guarding
- Grey-Turner’s sign (bruising along the flanks)
- Cullen’s sign, characterized by bruising around the peri-umbilical area
Pancreatitis investigations
- FBC,urea and electrolytes
- LFTs
- Lipase and amylase
- US
- MRCP
- ERCP
- CT pancreas
Pancrease Mnemonic
PaO2 < 8kPa (60mmHg)
Age > 55 years
Neutrophils - WBC >15 x109/l
Calcium < 2mmol/l
Renal function - Urea > 16mmol/l
Enzymes - AST/ALT > 200 iu/L or LDH > 600 iu/L
Albumin < 32g/l
Sugar - Glucose >10mmol/L
Managment of pancreatitis
- Aggressive fluid resuscitation with crystalloids to maintain urine output > 30 mL/hour.
- Catheterisation.
- Analgesia: Strong opioids are often necessary.
- Anti-emetics.
complications of pancreatitis
- Peripancreatic Fluid Collection
- Pdeudocyst
- pancreatic abcess
- pancreatic necrosis
- haemorrhage
- ARDS
- Hypovolemic
- DM
Porphyria
pectrum of disorders arising from abnormalities in the haem synthesis pathway, which result from either structural or functional alterations in the enzymes involved.
Porphyria symptoms
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Confusion
Hypertension
Seizures
Signs and symptoms of Porphyria
- Urine may appear red/purple
- Urinary porphobilinogen levels (keep away from light)
Managment of Porphyria
supportive
6-12 hours after withdrawal symptoms of alcohol
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Palpitations
12-24 hours post-drink
hallucinations
72-hours post drink
Delusions
Confusion
Seizures
Tachycardia
Hypertension
Hyperthermia
alcohol withdrawal investigations
- AUDIT and SADQ questionnaires to assess the severity of alcohol misuse.
- Blood tests to assess liver function and electrolyte balance.
- Neuroimaging may be considered in cases of persistent confusion or seizures.
INDICATIONS FOR INPATIENT WITHDRAWAL TREATMENT
- Patients drinking >30 units per day
- Scoring over 30 on the SADQ score
- High risk of alcohol withdrawal seizures (previous alcohol withdrawal seizures or delirium tremens, or history of epilepsy)
- Concurrent withdrawal from benzodiazepines
- Significant medical or psychiatric comorbidity
- Vulnerable patients
- Patients under 18