Gastrointestinal/ Liver Flashcards
IBD
Epidemiology?
- Presents in 20’s
- 40 in UK per 100,000
IBD
What mutation increases the risk of Crohn’s?
NOD 2
IBD
Describe the macroscopic changes of Ulcerative Colitis
- only in the colon
- continuous
- has red mucosa that bleeds
IBD
Describe the macroscopic changes of Crohn’s Disease
- any part of the gut
- skip lesions
- deep ulcers/ fissures in mucosa
IBD
Describe the microscopic changes of Ulcerative Colitis
- no granulomas
- mucosal inflammation
- depleted goblet cells
IBD
Describe the microscopic changes of Crohn’s Disease
- (50%) granulomas
- transmural inflammation (across whole width of the wall)
- more goblet cells
IBD
Signs and Symptoms?
- Bloody diarrhoea with URGENCY
- abdo pain/ tenderness
- weight loss, fever, nausea, vomit, malaise (general)
- Perianal abscess/ tag/ fistula- Crohn’s
- Clubbing of nails
- Erythema nodosum
- Conjunctivitis
- Enteropathic arthritis
IBD
Investigations?
- 2 stool tests (culture and faecal calprotectin)
- FBC
- Colonoscopy
- Video Capsule Endoscopy
IBD
Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Sulfasalazine, add oral
prednisolone if no
response
Severe: Infliximab, PR steroids, surgery, IV hydrocortisone
IBD
Treatment of Crohn’s Disease
Oral corticosteroids
IV hydrocortisone in severe flare ups
Add anti-TNF antibodies e.g. Infliximab if
no improvement
Consider adding Azathioprine or
Methotrexate to remain in remission if
frequent exacerbations/ SURGERY
HERNIAS
Name the two types of common Hiatus Hernias
- Sliding Hiatus hernia (80%)
- Rolling Hiatus Hernia (20%)
what is a Sliding Hiatus hernia
when the gastro- oesophageal junction slides into the chest
what is a rolling hiatus hernia
when the bulge of stomach rolls into chest alongside oesophagus
Epidemiology of Inguinal Hernias
M:F 8:1
What is an Indirect Inguinal Hernia?
When the periotoneal sac goes through deep inguinal ring into the canal (also passing through the superficial ring of the inguinal cancal) - lateral to the inferior epigastric artery
What is a Direct Inguinal Hernia?
when abdominal contents pushes into the inguinal canal through a weak spot (Hasselbach triangle) and passes through the superficial inguinal ring, medial to the inferior epigastric artery
What is a Femoral Hernia?
when the bowel enters femoral canal. Can be felt as a mass in upper thigh
What is Dyspepsia?
heartburn
How long must symptoms last to be diagnosed with GORD
Over 2 weeks
GORD
Causes?
- Sliding Hiatus Hernia (Reflux uncommon in rolling hiatus hernia)
- Slow gastric emptying
- alcohol
- smoking
- pregnancy
- obesity
- over-eating
- loss of peristalsis
GORD
Presentation?
1) Heartburn/ retrosternal/ epigastric burning sensation
2) Aggravated by lying down
3) Cough
4 Belching
5) Acid taste
6) Increased saliva
GORD
6 RED flags for a Gastroscopy?
1) Anaemia/ Age >55
2) Loss of weight
3) Anorexia
4) Recent onset
5) Melaena/ haematemesis
6) Swallowing is difficult (dysphagia)
ALARMS
GORD
Complications?
1) Barratts Oesophagus
2) Oesophagitis
3) Ulcers
4) Increased risk of cancer
GORD
1st line treatment
Lifestyle adaptations (food, alcohol, smoking, weight, spicy food)
Antacids
Gaviscon
GORD
2nd line treatment
PPI’s (lansoprazole, omeprazole)
H2 receptor agonists (Ranitidine)
GORD
3rd line treatment?
- Surgery (laparoscopic fundoplication)
How do you get a Mallory- Weiss Tear
persistent vomiting causes haematemesis via oesophageal mucosal tear
PEPTIC ULCERS
What is the most common peptic ulcer
Duodenal - 4x more common
PEPTIC ULCERS
Aetiology?
1)h.pylori- urease splits urea into NH3
NH3 then damages the epithelium
2) NSAIDs- inhibit COX-1 - reduced prostaglandin production = reduced mucosal protection as this is a prostaglandin fucntion
PEPTIC ULCERS
Risk Factors?
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Obesity
- h.pylori
- NSAIDs
PEPTIC ULCERS
Symptoms?
- Burning epigastric pain (relieved by food&milk)
- Bloating/ tender
- ALARMS symptoms
- Normally acute and GORD is chronic
PEPTIC ULCERS
Diagnosis?
No red flags? = non invasive H.pylori breath tests ( 13C urea breath test)
Red flags? = gastroscopy + H.pylori tests
PEPTIC ULCERS
Treatment
- Triple therapy (omeprazole, metronidazole, clarithromycin)
6-8 weeks follow up to exclude gastric cancer
Eradication confirmed with stool/ breath tests
COELIAC DISEASE
What genes is coeliac disease associated with?
HLA class II molecules DQ2 and DQ8
COELIAC DISEASE
Pathology?
5 steps
1) Alpha- gliadin peptide (toxic bit of gluten) passes through epithelium
2) It is deaminated by tissue transglutamase
3) Interactions with APC’s in lamina propria via HLA-DQ2 & HLA-DQ8
4) This activates gluten- sensitive T-cells and inflammatory cascade
5) Inflammatory cascade and mediator release leads to VILLOUS ATROPHY & CRYPT HYPERPLASIA
COELIAC DISEASE
at what age is it normally the worst
it peaks at infancy and 50-60
COELIAC DISEASE
Symptoms
1) General - tired - malaise
2) GI symptoms
- Diarrhoea
- steatorrhea (foul smelling stools)
- Bloating
- Pain/discomfort
- Anorexia
- - vomiting
- aphthous ulcers (mouth ulcers)
COELIAC DISEASE
What diseases is it associated to
- type 1 DM
- hyper/hypothyroidism
- Addison’s
- osteoporosis
COELIAC DISEASE
tests?
- IgA tissue transglutamase antibodies test (endomysial antibodies)
-Duodenal biopsy
stage 1= increased in intraepithelial lymphocytes
stage 2= crypt hyperplasia
stage 3= flattening and atrophy of villi
COELIAC DISEASE
treatment
lifelong gluten free diet
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
What are the three types
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- mixed
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
Diagnostic criteria?
recent abdo pan for 1x week for 3 months, PLUS 2 of:
1) relief by defecation
2) Change In habit (urgency)
3) Change in stool appearance
AND bloating, food makes worse, lethargy, mucous in stool
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
Tests?
- Enquire of red flags to ensure nothing threatening
- Do faecal calprotectin- if +ve do colonoscopy or if theyre over 50
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
Lifestyle changes?
Change diet avoid alcohol, fizzy drinks, caffeine
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
Treatment of Diarrhoea?
Loperamide (bulking agent)
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
Treatment of constipation?
senna
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
Treatment of pain?
1) Hyoscine butyl bromide
2) Amitriptyline
3) CBT
ACHALASIA
What is it?
How does it happen?
Failure of oesophageal peristalsis and of relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS)
due to degenerative loss of ganglia from Auerbach’s plexus
ACHALSIA
Pathology?
Decrease in number of ganglionic nerve cells in oesophageal wall
ACHALASIA
Features?
- dysphagia for BOTH solids/liquids
- regurgitation / heartburn leading to cough / aspiration pneumonia
ACHALASIA
Investigations?
oesophageal manometry -
excessive LOS tone which doesn’t relax on swallowing
considered the most important diagnostic test
barium swallow
shows grossly expanded oesophagus, fluid level
‘bird’s beak’ appearance
chest x-ray
wide mediastinum
fluid level
ACHALASIA
Treatment?
CCBs, Long acting nitrates, BBs (relax oesophageal muscle)
1st - pneumatic (balloon) dilation
2nd - Heller Myotomy
JAUNDICE
What is pre-hepatic jaundice
unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia
JAUNDICE
What is post- hepatic jaundice
conjugated hyperbilirubinemia
JAUNDICE
Causes of pre-hepatic?
- over haemolysis- e.g. Malaria
- impaired hepatic intake (drugs)
- decreased conjugation (gilberts syndrome)
JAUNDICE
Causes of hepatic jaundice
- hepatitis
- drugs
- alcohol
- haemochromatosis
Name two causes of post hepatic jaundice?
- gallstones
- PBC (primary biliary cirrhosis)
What is cholestasis?
Impaired hepatic excretion
APPENDICTIS
Causes?
Lumen of appendix blocked by faecolith (solid immovable faeces), lymphoid hyperplasia
APPENDICTIS
Symptoms?
- Periumbilical pain to RIF (McBurney’s)
- anorexia
- vomiting
- flushes
- tachycardia
APPENDICTIS
Signs?
rebound tenderness in RIF, guarding
APPENDICTIS
Diagnosis?
- CT scan
- Rovsing’s sign- pain in RIF increased when LIF pressed
- Psoas Sign - pain on extending hip
- Cope sign- pain on flexion and internal rotation of hip
APPENDICTIS
Treatment?
Surgery- appendicectomy
PERITONITIS
Cause of Primary?
- spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)
PERITONITIS
Cause of secondary?
- ectopic pregnancy
- appendicitis
- ischaemic colitis
PERITONITIS
Symptoms?
gradual abdominal pain
PERITONITIS
Signs?
- guarding
- tenderness
- tachycardia
- silent abdomen
PERITONITIS
Investigations?
- CXR
- AXR (rule out obstruction)
- CT
bloods- amylase, increased WCC, B-HGC
PERITONITIS
Treat?
- resuscitate (ABCDE)
- treat underlying cause (Abx)
- surgery- repair perforated viscus (tear of Abdo organ)
Overdose treatment of Opioid?
- IV naloxone
Overdose treatment of Paracetamol
- Activated charcoal
- N- acetylcysteine
What do you give to all people who have overdosed and why
Activated charcoal as it stops absorption in the bowel
Treatment of Anaphylaxis? (degranulation of mast cells)
antihistamines, adrenaline, steroids
GASTRO-OESOPHAGEAL VARICES?
what ARE THEY?
LOCAL DILATION OF VEINS
GASTRO-OESOPHAGEAL VARICES?
How do they occur?
1) Hepatic blood flow impaired (cirrhosis)
2) Pressure in portal vein increased and blood forced into smaller veins
3) Enlarged oesophageal veins elevate the mucosa and protrude into lumen
4) Here, easily traumatised by passing food= acute haemorrhage ( frequent and life- threatening)
GASTRO-OESOPHAGEAL VARICES?
Tests?
urgent gastroscopy to find location of bleeding
GASTRO-OESOPHAGEAL VARICES?
Treatment?
clotting- vit K and platelets
Terlipressin (vasopressin analogue)
GASTRITIS
What is it?
inflammation of gastric mucosa (red)
GASTRITIS
Cause? Acute/ chronic
H.pylori
Acute= neutrophil infiltration
Chronic= lymphocytes/ macrophages/ mononuclear/ plasma infiltration
GASTRITIS
Symptoms?
- Asymptomatic OR
- epigastric pain/ vomit/ haematemesis
GASTRITIS
Treat?
PPIs
H2 blocker
What is Haemochromatosis
excess iron deposits in parenchymal organs
Cause of Haemochromatosis
The HFE gene is located on chromosome 6. …
When a mutant or nonfunctional variant of the HFE gene is present, increased uptake of transferrin occurs and leads to accumulation of iron in cells
Diagnosis of Haemochromatosis
1) Increased iron/ferritin
liver= hepatomegaly pancreas= diabetes skin= bronze discolouration pituitary= reduced libido myocardium= cardiomegaly and HF
How is Haemochromatosis treated
Venesection
What is WIlson’s Disease
Decreased intake of copper = accumulation in organs
Diagnosis of Wilson’s
- Increased Copper and increased 24hr urinary copper
Organ complications for someone with Wilson’s?
liver- cirrhosis
basal ganglia- dementia + Parkinson’s
cornea- Fleischer rings (dark rings of bronze colour- copper around iris)
renal tubules
Treatment of Wilson’s?
Lifelong penicillamine (chelating agent)
What is Volvulus?
Twisting of digestive organs which causes constipation
How can you tell on an AXR if someone has volvulus?
inverted U bowel looks like ‘coffee bean’
treatment of Volvulus?
Resuscitation/ laparotomy/ sigmoidoscopy
What is Cirrhosis?
a chronic disease of the liver marked by degeneration of cells, inflammation, and fibrous thickening of tissue.
Cause of Cirrhosis?
alcohol
treatment of Cirrhosis?
need liver transplant
PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS
What is it?
- Autoimmune destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts- Cholestasis
PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS
What is the Epidemiology?
F:M 9:1 and onset average is around 50yrs
PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS
What is it due to?
- Environmental trigger in genetically susceptible people
PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS
Main distinguisher?
Antimitochondrial antibodies are PRESENT (AMA)
PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS
Signs?
1) Pruritis +- jaundice
2) Xanthelasma (yellow lesions of cholesterol)
3) hepatosplenomegaly
4) Xanthomata ( fatty lesions on skin)
5) Fatigue
6) Steatorrhoea - decreased bile
PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS
Tests?
- AMA test (positive result for PBC)
- IgM
- alkaline phosphate (high)
PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS
Pathology?
T cells attack on bile duct epithelial cells
PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS
Treatment?
- Pruritis (itching)- cholestyramine
- Specific
1) Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA)
2) Vitamin Supplements (a, d, k)
3) Eventually liver transplant ( Prognosis is <2 years once jaundice develops without transplant)
PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS
What is found on biopsy?
- Hepatic granuloma
PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS
What does it increase the risk of?
- Increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma