GI Flashcards
What is Grey-turners sign?
Bruising of the flanks and indicates intra-abdominal bleeding, consequently it is predictive of severe and acute pancreatitis
What is Cullen’s sign?
Bruising around the umbilicus, it is also indicative of intra-abdominal bleeding and predictive of acute pancreatitis
What does coffee ground haematemesis mean?
Upper GI bleeding, for example due to a peptic ulcer, or use of NSAIDs/SSRIs
What are some possible causes of epigastric pain?
Pancreatitis, peptic ulcer disease, aortic aneurysm, perforated oesophagus, MI
What are some possible causes of RUQ (hypochondrial) pain?
Biliary colic, cholecystitis, renal, hepatitis, peptic ulcer, carcinoma, subphrenic abscess, duodenal ulcer
What are some possible causes of LUQ (hypochondrial) pain?
Peptic ulcer, suphrenic abscess, renal, carcinoma, ruptured spleen, pneumonia
What are some possible causes of loin pain?
Renal colic, pyelonephritis, perforated bowel, referred pain, pancreatitis, ruptured spleen
What are some possible causes of LLQ (iliac fossa) pain?
Diverticulitis, volvolus, colon cancer, pelvic abscess, IBD, UTI
What are some possible causes of RLQ (iliac fossa) pain?
Appendicitis, UTI, volvolus, colon cancer, pelvic abscess, IBD, crohns ileitis
What are some possible causes of pelvic pain?
Pregnancy, UTI, carcinoma, mnestruation
What are some causes of generalised pelvic pain?
Gastroenteritis, IBS, constipation, peritonitis
What is an ileus?
Lack of movement in the intestines leading to build up and blockage
What is Gilbert’s syndrome?
A harmless inherited condition in which the liver doesn’t produce the enzyme to break down bilirubin, so it builds up causing jaundice
What is tenesmus and when is it common?
The sensation of incomplete emptying after defecation, commonly experienced in IBS
What is rebound tenderness and what usually causes it?
Pain upon removal of pressure from the abdomen, commonly caused by peritonitis
What is Rovings sign?
Palpation of the left lower quadrant produces pain in the right lower quadrant - this is indicative of appendicitis
What is Murphy’s sign?
Pain on taking a deep breath, when the examiner is pressing down on the right upper quadrant - this is indicative of cholecystitis
What is McBurneys point?
A point that lies one-third of distance laterally on a line drawn from the umbilicus to the right anterior superior iliac spine - this is where the appendix lies
In a GI exam, which organs should descend on inspiration?
Liver, spleen, kidneys
What are the two layers of the peritoneum?
Parietal (lines the abdominal wall)
Visceral (covers organs)
At what level does the oesphogus pass through the diaphragm?
T10
Where does the stomach receive its blood supply from?
Coeliac trunk of common hepatic artery
Gastric arteries
What causes dysphagia?
Mechanical block (malignancy, GORD, extrinsic pressures) Motility disorders (achalasia - failure of LOS to relax due to degeneration of myenteric plexus, stroke, MS, MND, parkinsons)
What cancers occur in the oesophagus?
Adenocarcinoma (from Barret’s)
Squamous cell carcinoma
What is the role of the duodenum?
- Takes in secretions from the pancreas and gallbladder, by producing CCK and secretin
- Slows gastric emptying
- Increases pancreatic activity
What is the role of the jejunum?
Lots of villi to increase surface area, involved in nutritional absorption and regular peristalsis
What is the role of the ileum?
Absorption of vitamin B12 and bile salts and whatever products of digestion were not absorbed by the jejunum
What are taeniae coli?
Three separate longitudinal ribbons of smooth muscle on the outside of the ascending, transverse, descending and sigmoid colons. They contract lengthways to produce haustra
What is the role of the large intestine?
- Absorption of water and minerals
- Mass movement (peristalsis twice an hour)
- Defaecation
What is peritonitis?
Perforation of a peptic/duodenal ulcer, diverticulum, appendix, bowel or gallbladder
What are the signs of peritonitis?
Prostration (lying flat), lying very still, shock, rebound tenderness, guarding, rigidity, absent bowel sounds
How is peritonitis managed (tests and treatment)?
Tests - FBC, CRP, U&E, amylase, LFT, ABG, urinalysis, erect CXR (gas), AXR, USS
Treatment - Laparoscopy
What are the symptoms of acute appendicitis?
Periumbilical pain that moves to the RIF
Anorexia
Vomiting (often from the pain)
Constipation/diarrhoea
What are the special tests to diagnose appendicitis?
Rosving’s sign - pain > in RIF when you press on LIF
Psoas sign - pain on extending hip if retrocaecal appendix
Cope sign - pain on flexion and internal rotation of right hip
Which is the gold standard imaging for acute appendicitis?
CT - only downfall is it takes time
How is acute appendicitis treated?
- Metronidazole + cefuroxime
2. Laparoscopic appendicectomy
A girl has acute abdominal pain radiating to the shoulder tip. What are your two main differentials and how do you differentiate between the two?
Acute cholecystitis - vomiting, jaundice, fever, rigors
Ectopic pregnancy - vaginal bleeding following weeks of amenorrhoea
What are the symptoms of intestinal obstruction?
Vomiting (faeculant = severe)
Colicky pain
Constipation (ask about flatulence)
Distenstion
What are the main causes of obstruction of the small bowel?
Adhesions
Hernias
What are the main causes of obstruction of the large bowel?
Colon cancer
Constipation
Diverticular structure
Volvolus
What is an ileus?
A functional obstruction of the bowel from reduced motility - painless, bowel sounds will be absent
What would you hear on auscultation of a mechanical obstruction?
Tinkling bowel sounds
How is an obstruction managed?
NGT and IV fluids to replenish electrolytes
Surgery
What is leukoplakia and what causes it?
Oral mucosal white patch - premalignant, HIV
What are aphthous ulcers and what causes them?
Shallow painful ulcers on the tongue/oral mucosa - trauma, crohn’s, coeliac, behect’s, erythema multiform, lichen plans, infections
What is candidiasis and what causes it?
White patches on buccal mucosa - fungal, antibiotics, immunusuppresion
What is angular stomatitis and what causes it?
Fissuring of the mouth corners - denture problems, candidiasis, iron deficiency
What is gingivitis and what causes it?
Gum inflammation and hypertrophy - poor oral hygiene, drugs, pregnancy, vitamin c deficiency, leukemia
What is oral pigmentation and what causes it?
Perioral brown spots - Peutz-Jehjers disease, Addison’s
What are the symptoms of peptic ulcer disease?
ALARMS Anaemia Loss of weight Anorexia Recent symptoms Malaena/haematemesis Swallowing difficulties
How can you differentiate duodenal and gastric ulcer by their symptoms?
DUODENAL - Gnawing epigastric pain BEFORE meals or at night, which is relieved by eating
GASTRIC - Gnawing epigastric pain AFTER meals
How are H.pylori peptic ulcers treated?
Triple therapy:
- Amoxicillin
- Clarithromycin
- Omeprazole/lansoprazole