GI 2 Flashcards
How do gallstones cause acute pancreatitis?
As gallstones become lodged in Sphincter of Oddi which blocks the release of pancreatic juices.
Causes of acute pancreatitis (IGETSMASHED)?
I - Idiopathic
G - Gallstones
E - Ethanol
T - Trauma e.g. knife
S - Steroids
M - Mumps
A - Autoimmune diseases
S - Scorpion sting
H - Hypertriglyceridaemia & hypercalcaemia
E - post-ERCP
D - Drugs e.g. sulfa drugs, protease inhibitors, bendroflumethiazide
How can calcium levels cause pancreatitis?
Hypercalcaemia can cause acute pancreatitis
One complication of pancreatitis is a pseudocyst. What is this?
Forms when fibrous tissue surrounds the liquefactive necrotic tissue of pancreas.
Fibrous tissue develops a cavity which fills up with pancreatic juice.
Features:
- abdo pain
- loss of appetite
- palpable tender mass that follows a bout of pancreatitis
Can rupture –> haemorrhage,
Can get infected –> abscess
What is the best investigation for a pancreatic pseudocyst?
Abdo CT scan
What are some complications of acute pancreatitis?
1) Pancreatic pseudocyst
2) Hypovolaemic shock (haemorrhage from damaged vessels)
3) DIC
4) ARDS
What is the leading cause of death among people with acute pancreatitis?
ARDS
How is calcium affected in acute pancreatitis?
HYPOcalcaemia (despite hypercalcaemia causing acute pancreatitis)
What amylase level indicates acute pancreatitis?
> 3x upper limit of normal
Hb as prognostic marker in acute pancreatitis?
Low Hb carries worse prognosis
what are 2 genetic causes of chronic pancreatitis?
1) CF
2) Haemochromatosis
What is Charcot’s triad?
What does it indicate?
1) Fever
2) RUQ pain
3) Jaundice
Indicates ascending cholangitis
What is a quick and accurate test for detecting common bile duct dilatation in ascending cholangitis?
US abdo/pelvis
Which option can provide both diagnosis and therapy via biliary decompression in ascending cholangitis?
ERCP
How can chronic pancreatitis increase risk of osteoporosis?
Due to impaired absorption of calcium & vitamin D as well as chronic inflammation.
What does the ‘double duct’ sign on MRCP indicate?
Pancreatic cancer –> dilatation of both the common bile duct and pancreatic duct.
What is a key indicator of pancreatitis severity?
Hypocalcaemia
What is Reynolds Pentad?
What condition does it indicate?
Indicates ascending cholangitis:
1) fever
2) RUQ pain
3) jaundice
4) shock
5) altered mental status
What is the preferred diagnostic test for chronic pancreatitis?
CT pancreas - looking for pancreatic calcification
What is Richter’s hernia?
A rare type of hernia where only the antimesenteric border of the bowel herniates through the fascial defect.
Richter’s hernia can present with strangulation without symptoms of obstruction.
How does hepatitis A present?
- flu like symptoms
- RUQ pain
- tender hepatomegaly
- deranged LFTs
What is a key sign of a perforated bowel on AXR?
Normally on AXR should only be able to see the luminal surface of the bowel (visible as outlined by gas) but NOT the serosal side.
In a perforated bowel, the serosal surface is visible due to presence of gas.
What infection can cause dysentery, liver abscesses, colonic abscesses, or inflammatory masses in the colon?
Entamoeba histolytica (amoebiasis)
What malignancy is most associated with acanthosis nigricans?
GI adenocarcinoma
What is the most important aspect of acute pancreatitis management?
Fluid resuscitation (due to 3rd space loss)
What is Budd Chiari syndrome?
Obstruction to hepatic venous outflow.
AKA hepatic vein thrombosis.
What triad of features is seen in Budd Chiari syndrome?
1) abdo pain: sudden onset, severe
2) ascites: abdo distension
3) tender hepatomegaly
What is Budd Chiari syndrome often associated with?
Haematological disease or another procoagulant condition:
1) antiphospholipid syndrome
2) polycythaemia rubra vera
3) thrombophilia e.g. activated protein C resistance
4) pregnancy
What is the AST/ALT ratio in alcoholic hepatitic?
2:1
What is the key risk factor for cholangiocarcinoma?
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
The development of jaundice in association with a smooth RUQ mass is typical of what?
Distal biliary obstruction 2ary to pancreatic malignancy
What is the gold standard investigation & intervention for acute cholangitis?
ERCP
What 4 drugs are a risk factor for peptic ulcer disease?
1) SSRIs
2) Corticosteroids
3) NSAIDs
4) Bisphosphonates
What is involved in the management of a perforated peptic ulcer?
1) ABCDE
2) IV fluids
3) NG tube insertion
4) NBM
5) IV PPIs
6) IV Abx
7) Endoscopy
Role of NG tube insertion in a perforated peptic ulcer?
To reduce the amount of gastric fluids in the GI tract, and therefore reduce the amount to escape into the peritoneum.
What is there excess of in Zollinger Ellison syndrome?
Gastrin –> increased stomach acid production.
Why are IV fluids needed in perforated peptic ulcer?
As many patients with be fluid depleted due to the ulcer bleeding and re-distribution of fluid to the third space.
Who should H. pylori test be offered to?
Anyone with dyspepsia
What vaccination is recommended in coeliac?
Pneumococcal vaccine (with booster every 5 years)
Is a CXR or AXR more specific for identifying pneumoperitoneum (perforated bowel)?
CXR
What is spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)?
A form of peritonitis usually seen in patients with ascites 2ary to liver cirrhosis.
Features of SBP? (3)
1) ascites
2) abdo pain
3) fever
How is a diagnosis of SBP made?
Paracentesis –> neutrophil >250
What is the most common organism found on ascitic fluid culture in SBP?
E. coli
Mx of SBP?
IV cefotaxime
When should prophylactic oral ciprofloxacin or norfloxacin be offered for SBP?
For people with cirrhosis and ascites with an ascitic protein of 15 g/litre or less until the ascites has resolved.
What location of duodenal ulcers is most likely to cause major upper GI haemorrhage?
What artery is involved?
Posteriorly sited duodenal ulcer
Gastroduodenal artery
Mx of dysplasia on biopsy in Barrett’s oesophagus?
Endoscopic intervention (mucosal intervention)
What do carcinoid tumours secrete?
1) Serotonin
2) Can also secrete ACTH & GnRH –> can cause Cushing’s
What SAAG gradient is raised?
> 11 g/L
What does a high SAAG gradient (> 11g/L) indicate?
Portal hypertension e.g. in cirrhosis
What investigation will confirm the most likely diagnosis of C. diff?
Stool C. diff toxin
(Note - C. difficile antigen positivity only shows exposure to the bacteria, rather than current infection)