GI Flashcards
Mx of a mild to moderate flare of UC that does not respond to topical or oral aminosalicylates?
Add oral steroids (note, do NOT stop oral ASAs)
What condition has the strongest association with H. pylori infection?
Duodenal ulceration
What is used 1st line for Mx of hepatic encephalopathy
Lactulose
Which scoring system would be used to determine the severity of an upper GI bleed and whether or not they could be managed safely as an outpatient?
Glasgow Blatchford score
What is Budd Chiari syndrome?
Hepatic vein thrombosis.
Usually seen in the context of underlying haematological disease or another procoagulant condition e.g. polycythaemia vera, thrombophilia, pregnancy, COCP
What classic triad of features is seen in Budd Chiari syndrome?
1) Abdo pain: sudden onset, severe
2) Ascites –> abdo distension
3) Tender hepatomegaly
1st line investigation in Budd Chiari syndrome?
US with Doppler flow studies
If a patient with UC colitis had a severe relapse or >=2 exacerbations in the past year, what should they should be given to maintain remission?
either oral azathioprine or oral mercaptopurine
What is the 1st line laxative indicated in acute constipation that is not associated with opioid use? (after diet)
Bulk forming e.g. ispaghula husk
Which laxative is often given for opioid-induced constipation?
Docusate
2nd line laxative indicated in acute constipation that is not associated with opioid use? (after ispaghula husk)
Osmotic laxative e.g. macrogol
What is the diagnostic investigation of choice in pancreatic cancer?
High resolution CT
Mx of pharyngeal pouch?
Surgical repair and resection
Mx options in perianal fistula?
1) Oral metronidazole (if symptomatic)
2) Draining seton (for complex fistulae)
What is a seton used in perianal fistula?
A seton is a piece of surgical thread that is run through the fistula to allow continuous drainage while the fistula is healing.
This ensures that the fistula doesn’t heal containing pus within, which would result in further abscess formation.
What should patients with ascites 2ary to liver cirrhosis be given?
Aldosterone antagonist e.g. spironolactone
Stepwise Mx of achalasia?
1) pneumatic (balloon) dilation (less invasive and quicker recovery time than surgery)
2) Heller cardiomyotomy (if recurrent or persistent symptoms)
What does a Heller cardiomyotomy involve?
Involves cutting of the thick muscle around the lower oesophagus and upper stomach to allow for passage of food and drink.
Give 4 causes of acute liver failure
1) paracetamol OD
2) alcohol
3) hepatitis (usually A or B)
4) acute fatty liver of pregnancy
What are the 2 best ways to measure acute liver failure?
1) prothrombin time (best) i.e. INR
2) albumin level
How can PPIs affect sodium level?
Can cause hyponatraemia through SIADH
Where is biopsy taken from for diagnosis of coeliac?
Jejunal biopsy
Or duodenal biopsy
What are the 2 areas most affected in coeliac?
Jejunum & duodenum
What 2 factors are used to monitor treatment in haemochromatosis?
1) ferritin
2) transferrin saturation
What is Desferrioxamine?
An iron chelating agent
What autoantibodies can be seen in primary sclerosing cholangitis?
p-ANCA
What is Sister Mary Joseph nodule?
A sign of metastasis to periumbilical lymph nodes, classically from a gastric cancer primary.
Umbilical protrusion is a common finding with this nodule.
What are 3 key complications of C. diff?
1) Toxic megacolon
2) Pseudomembranous colitis
3) Bowel perforation & sepsis
What monoclonal Ab is sometimes used in the management of C. diff infection?
Bezlotoxumab –> targets C. diff toxin B
What is medical management of RECURRENT C. diff infection:
a) within 12 weeks of symptom resolution
b) after 12 weeks of symptom resolution
a) oral fidaxomicin
b) oral vancomycin OR oral fidaxomicin
What C. diff antigen is specifically tested for in stool samples?
Glutamate dehydrogenase
What is the gold standard for investigating E. coli diarrhoea?
Stool culture & sensitivity
What is HUS?
A rare but serious condition that can lead to renal failure, anaemia and thrombocytopenia.
What is HUS most commonly caused by?
Infection with certain strains of E. coli bacteria.
What age does HUS typically affect?
<5 y/o
What triad is seen in HUS?
1) AKI
2) Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia
3) Thrombocytopenia
What are some possible symptoms of HUS?
1) bloody diarrhoea
2) abdominal pain
3) vomiting
4) decreased urine output.
How does E. coli 0157 cause HUS?
E. coli 0157 produces the Shiga toxin which destroys RBCs.
What can increase the risk of HUS in E. coli gastroenteritis?
Giving Abx
Which virus typically causes gastroenteritis with respiratory symptoms?
Adenovirus
What is the most common causative organism of bacterial gastroenteritis?
Campylobacter jejuni
What bacteria can cause food poisoning from reheated rice?
Bacillus cereus
Incubation period of Campylobacter?
2-5 days
1st line Abx in campylobacter infection?
Clarithromycin
Consider in patients with severe symptoms or other risk factors, such as HIV or HF.
What is it always important to ask about in a diarrhoea history?
1) Recent foreign travel
2) Recent history of hospitalisation or Abx therapy