GI Flashcards
Define Crohns
Chronic inflammatory disease characterised by transmural inflammation anywhere from mouth to anus
Characterised by skip lesions and non caseating granulomas
What are three microscopic features of Crohns?
Fissuring Ulcers
Lymphoid and Neutrophil aggregates
Non caseating granulomas
Give 3 presentations of Crohns
Diarrhoea
Abdominal Pain
Weight Loss
What are three extra-enteral manifestations of Crohns?
Skin - Erythema Nodosum
Eyes - Episcleritis/Iritis/Conjunctivitis
Joint - Ankylosing Spondylitis
Define UC
Chronic inflammation of mucosa and submucosa affecting the rectum and extending proximally
Continuous in nature
What are three microscopic features of UC?
Crypt Abscesses
Pseudopolyps
Hyperaemic Mucosa
Give three presentations of UC
Episodic Diarrhoea
Blood and Mucous
Cramping
What is faecal calprotectin and when is it raised?
Indicates neutrophil migration into intestinal mucosa (higher the level, the more inflammation)
What would you see on an Abdo Xray of IBD?
Mucosal Thickening
?Proximal Constipation
?Toxic Megacolon
What are the endoscopy options for IBD?
Colonoscopy - proximal large bowel disease
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy - safest if diarrhoea is bloody
Capsule Endoscopy - Small Bowel
When would you do an MRI in IBD?
For Small Bowel Crohns
For Peri-Anal disease in Crohns
What is the induction management for Crohns?
Mild - Prednisolone Orally 40mg for 1/52
Mod/Severe - IV Hydrocortisone and VTE Prophylaxis
What is the induction management for UC?
Mild - Mesalazine and Prednisolone Enemas
Mod - Mesalazine and Oral Prednisolone
Severe - IV Hydrocortisone, Cyclosporine
What is the maintenance therapy for IBD?
Step Ups
Steroids
Azathioprine
Infliximab
When is Azathioprine started in IBD?
If unresponsive to steroids
If requiring more than two rescue therapies a year
Other than nausea, give two side effects of Azathioprine
Pancreatitis
Leucopenia
How does Infliximab work? What do you have to test for prior to prescription?
Prevents neutrophil aggregation and granuloma formation
Check for underlying malignancy and TB
Define Coeliac
Immune mediated inflammatory systemic disorder provoked by gluten
Describe the pathophysiology of Coeliac disease
Associated with HLA DQ2 and HLA DQ8
Lengthening of intestinal crypts
Lymphocytes infiltrate epithelium
Give 5 presentations of Coeliac Disease
Bloating Diarrhoea Weight Loss Steatorrhoea Abdo Pain
What blood tests would you carry out for suspected Coeliac disease?
Total IgA
tTG-IgA (AKA Tissue Transglutaminase IgA)
What other investigation (not bloods) would you carry out for suspected Coeliac disease
OGD and Duodenal Biopsy
Showing villous atrophy and intraepithelial lymphocytosis
Give four complications of Coeliac Disease
Small Bowel Lymphoma
Small Bowel Cancer
Osteoporosis
Neuropathy
What are the 5 Key Questions to ask a patient presenting with Dysphagia?
1) Was there difficulty swallowing both solids and liquids from the start?
2) Is it difficult to initiate swallowing?
3) Is swallowing painful?
4) Is dysphagia intermittent or getting worse?
5) Does neck bulge and gargle on drinking?
Give two physical causes of Oesophageal Dysphagia
Tumour
Stricture
Give two neuromuscular causes of Oesophageal Dysphagia
Achalasia
Presbyoesophagus
How would you investigate Physical causes vs Neuromuscular?
Physical with OGD
Neuromuscular with Barium Swallow
What is Oropharyngeal Dysphagia?
Difficulty getting food to leave the mouth due to lack of coordination
Give a brief outlne of the four stages of Hepatic Encephalopathy
1 - Poor Memory and Sleep
2 - Asterixis, Agitation
3 - Drowsy
4 - Coma
What does a raised ALT indicate vs a raised ALP?
ALT - damage to hepatocytes
ALP - damage to bile ducts
What is Gamma GT?
An enzyme found in hepatocytes and biliary tract
Needs to be raised alongside ALP (as ALP can also be raised in increased bone turnover)
Name two autoantibodies associated with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
AMA (Antimitochondrial Antibodies)
SMA (Smooth Muscle Antibodies)
Name 6 components of a liver screen
Hepatitis Serology Iron Studies (Transferrin and Ferritin) Autoantibodies Immunoglobulins Ceruloplasmin Alpha - 1 Antitrypsin
What are the three most common causes of Chronic Liver Disease?
Alcoholic Liver Disease
Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Hep B and C
What is PBC? Give three feature?
Autoimmune granulomatous inflammation of intra and extrahepatic bile ducts
Associated with AMA antibody
More common in Women
Asymptomatic raised ALP
What is autoimmune hepatitis?
Autoantibodies against hepatocyte surface antigens
Describe the presentation of autoimmune hepatitis
Acute hepatitis
Jaundice
What is PSC? How do patients present?
Primary Sclerosis Cholangitis is progressive cholestasis with bile duct inflammation and strictures
Presents as pruritus with or without fatigue
What is the risk if a patient has IBD and PSC?
Increased risk of colorectal malignancy
What is Haemachromatosis?
Autosomal Recessive (HFE gene) of increased iron absorption leading to deposition in skin/joints/organs
Why do women with Haemachromatosis present later than men?
Menstrual blood loss is protective
What are the early and late presentations of HH?
Early - may be asymptomatic or have lethargy/anthralgia
Late - Slate grey pigmentation, Chronic Liver Disease, Dilated Cardiomyopathy
What would the serology of HH show?
Raised LFTs
Raised Transferrin Saturation
Raised Ferritin
How would you manage HH?
Therapeutic Venesection
Avoid alcohol
Avoid uncooked seafood (listeria thrives on high iron)
What is WIlson’s Disease?
Autosomal recessive disorder of copper excretion with deposition in liver and CNS
Give 4 presentations of Wilson’s Disease
CNS Signs (Dysarthria, Dysphagia)
Slow Cognition
Decreased Libido
Kayser Fleischer Ring
What would the serology of Wilson’s Disease show?
Raised LFTs
Low Serum Copper
Low Serum Ceruloplasmin
(HIGH URINARY COPPER)
Define Cirrhosis
End pathology of Chronic Liver Disease implying irreversible liver damage
Give three histological features of Cirrhosis
Loss of Architecture
Fibrosis
Nodular Regeneration
Give 5 signs of Cirrhosis OE
Clubbing Palmar Erythema Dupuytren's Contracture Spider Naevi Gynaecomastia