GI Flashcards
Odynophagia =
Dysphagia =
painful swallowing
difficulty swallowing
Causes of esophagitis
- infections related to immunocomp’d patient: Candida, Herpes, CMV
- GERD
How does endoscopy with biopsy for esophagitis patient differentiate the infectious causes?
Herpes – Multiple shallow ulcers throughout the esophagus
CMV – Large solitary deep ulcers
Candida – Raised white plaques which can be removed
How is esophagitis caused by Candida treated?
Fluconazole x 3 weeks
Diagnostic test of choice for most esophageal and gastric issues
Barium swallow
Why is there concern for doing an endoscopy with diverticula?
possible perforation
What is diverticula within the esophagus called?
Zenker’s Diverticula
Zenker’s Diverticula treatment
Hydration after meals
Thorough chewing
Surgical repair of diverticula
Decreased peristalsis of the esophagus along with increased muscle tone of the lower esophagus
Achalasia
Barium swallow of achalasia
bird’s beak (clear tapering at LES)
I came in to see my physician assistant because of…
- Regurgitating undigested food hours after a meal
- Bad breath
- Neck pain
- Odynophagia
- Dysphagia
Zenker’s Diverticula
I came in to see my physician assistant because of…
- Dysphagia with both fluids and solids and will continue to get progressively worse
- Regurgitation of undigested foods
- Non-cardiac chest pain
Achalasia
Achalasia treatment
CCBs – Nifedipine
Try to dilate LES: Nitrates, Botox injections, Pneumatic dilation
Surgical myotomy
Patient c/o forced retching vomiting and is now vomiting blood. Also has epigastric pain. Likely dx?
Mallory-Weiss tears (longitudinal lacerations of esophagus)
Mallory-Weiss tear treatment
Usually self limiting
Transfusion if high loss of blood
Endoscopy with epinephrine injection or thermal coagulation
Treatment of esophageal strictures
Treat for GERD since most likely cause
PPIs - omeprazole
H2 Blockers - Zantac
Surgical correction
DDX of hematemesis (vomiting blood)
Mallory-Weiss tears, esophageal varices, PUD, cirrhosis…
I came in to see my physician assistant because of…
- Substernal chest pain
- Pain typically postprandial
- Dysphagia
- Chronic dry cough and laryngitis
GERD
I came in to see my physician assistant because of…
Hematemesis (vomiting blood)
Black, tarry or bloody stool
Signs and symptoms of GI bleed (lightheaded etc)
Esophageal varices
Pathophysiology of esophageal varices
dilated veins of esophagus secondary to alcoholism, cirrhosis, and/or portal HTN
What is diagnostic and therapeutic for esophageal varices?
Endoscopy
- Variceal ligation or banding
- Sclerotherapy
- Balloon tamponade
Behavior modifications to relieve GERD?
Smaller portion sizes Not laying down after meals Weight reduction Avoid acidic foods Avoid things that relax the lower esophageal sphincter - fatty foods, mint, chocolate, alcohol, smoking
Medical treatment for GERD
OTC antacids - rolaids, TUMS, Pepto-Bismol, Milk of Magnesia
H2 blockers - rantidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid)
PPIs - omeprazole
Possible complications of GERD
Increased risk for esophageal strictures
Barrett’s esophagus (pre-malignancy)
Peptic ulcers
I came in because of…
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal discomfort
- Dysphagia
- Anorexia
- Enlarged left supraclavicular lymph node (virchow’s node)
Must not miss dx?
Gastric adenocarcinoma
Risk factors for gastric adenocarcinoma
Smoking
H. Pylori
Male (3:1)
Gastrin secreting tumor of pancreas resulting in GERD symptoms, diarrhea, and unexplained weight loss?
Zollinger Ellison Syndrome (gastrinoma)
Patient c/o achy stomach pain, nausea, hematemesis, and anorexia. Urea breath test positive for H. pylori. Likely dx?
Peptic ulcer disease
Where can peptic ulcer disease occur? Most likely spot?
mucosal lining of stomach or duodenum
ulcer 4-5x more likely to be found in duodenum
Risk factors for Peptic Ulcer Disease
H. Pylori (90% of cases)
NSAIDS
Smoking
How is H. Pylori detected?
urea breath test
Gold standard for PUD diagnosis
endoscopy with biopsy
Peptic Ulcer Disease treatment plan
1st line: triple therapy = PPI + 2 antibiotics x 2 weeks
(omeprazole + clarithromycin + amoxicillin)
Quadruple therapy = PPI + bismuth subsalicylate + 2 antibiotics x 2 weeks
PPIs long term
Surgical repair of ulcer if necessary
An 4 wk old infant comes in with projectile vomit and abd distention. Epigastric olive-like mass found on palpation. DX?
Pyloric stenosis
Barium swallow test results for Pyloric Stenosis
String sign
or railroad track sign
Treatment of Pyloric Stenosis
Fluids for dehydration
Pyloromyotomy (Ramstedt’s procedure)
Average age of Pyloric Stenosis
6 weeks old
corkscrew appearance on Barium swallow =
esophageal spasms
What is the best test to diagnose peptic ulcer disease?
endoscopy
A 65 year old male has had GERD for years. Over the past year he has noticed an increase in difficulty swallowing his food. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Esophageal strictures
achalasia and esophageal also possible, but strictures more likely with h/o GERD
________ is a direct cause of esophageal varices.
Portal HTN
________ is an infection of the gallbladder.
Cholecystitis
Explain pathophysiology behind the most common cause of Cholecystitis.
90% of cases are associated with gallstones (cholelithiasis)
Cholesterol builds up in gallbladder to form stones that can block cystic duct (choledocholithiasis)
Risk factors for Cholecystitis
Native American Females slightly higher rate Obesity Diabetes Pregnancy Crohn’s disease
What is Murphy sign? When is it positive?
Inhibited inspiration with pressure over RUQ secondary to pain
Cholecystitis
Woman comes in with pain in RUQ that worsens after fatty meals. She is jaundice and has elevated bilirubin. DDX?
Cholecystitis, Cholangitis
Cholecystitis treatment
Asymptomatic gallstones require no treatment
Initially antibiotics and NSAIDs are given to stabilize patient and bring down inflammation (2nd gen cephalosporin OR fluoroquinolone + Metronidazole)
Cholecystectomy is the definitive treatment for cholecystitis
Labs that indicate gallbladder infection
WBC
Bilirubin
Alk Phos and ATF
- all will be elevated
Charcot’s triad includes symptoms for what disease? What are sx’s?
pain, fever, jaundice = Cholangitis
What is Reynold’s pentad?
Charcot’s triad + hypotension and altered mental status = EMERGENCY!!!
DDX of RUQ pain
Cholecystitis Cholangitis Choledocholithiasis Hepatitis A, B ...
Most common cause of Cholangitis?
choledocholithiasis
Test of choice for Cholangitis
ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) because it can both diagnose and treat with stone extraction and sphincterotomy
infection of common bile duct is
cholangitis
Hepatits A treatment
Supportive care as illness is self limiting with full recovery in about 9 weeks
Vaccine available
How is Hepatitis A differentiated from other RUQ pains?
hepatomegaly
anti-HAV
Hepatitis A, B, and C transmission
A: fecal-oral
B, C: blood, needles, sex, across placenta
Incubation period of Hep B
6 wks - 6 months
Acute and chronic Hep B treatment
Vaccination available; given to all infants
Acute - usually self limiting with sx’s improvement in 2-3 weeks and full recovery in 16 weeks; however some become chronic
Chronic - Antiviral therapy
What do HBsAG, Anti-HBs, and Anti-HBc indicate on serum testing for Hep B?
HBsAG (surface antigen) = disease; either acute or chronic
Anti-HBs (Antibody to surface antigen) = immunity; vaccine or recovery from previous infection
Anti-HBc (Antibody to core antigen) = has infection or h/o infection
30% of ____ patients are found to also have Hep C.
HIV
How will untreated Hep B and C progress?
chronic hepatitis -> cirrhosis -> hepatoellular carcinoma or liver faliure
Hep C treatment
Self limiting and recovery is complete in 3-6 months
Meds if doesn’t resolve in 3 months and becomes chronic: Interferon alpha, Pegylated interferon, Ribavirin
Labs to help dx Hep C
screen for anti-HCV antibody
Which hepatitis most likely to become chronic?
Hep C
Patient must have _____ in order to contract Hep D.
Hep B
Risk factors for cirrhosis
Chronic hepatitis Chronic alcohol abuse Drug toxicity Age > 55 Diabetes Obesity
Symptoms associated with decreased liver function?
jaundice hepatomegaly ascites peripheral edema asterixis caput medusa spider angioma
Labs results associated with decreased liver function?
Elevated bilirubin (mostly conjugated)
Increased prothrombin time
Decreased serum albumin
Diagnostic imaging for cirrhosis
U/S to determine liver size and hepatic blood flow
CT/MRI with contrast to find hepatic nodules
How to manage/treat cirrhosis?
STOP DRINKING ALCOHOL!!!
Treat symptoms:
- restrict fluids and Na+ for edema and ascites
- daily folate, iron for anemia
- fresh frozen plasma for increased bleeding time
ultimately need liver transplant
Most cases of cirrhosis will progress to _______.
hepatocellular carcinoma
What lab value can differentiate liver cancer from cirrhosis?
hepatocellular carcinoma will have elevated WBC and cirrhosis will not