GI Flashcards
what is dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
what is odynophagia
painful swallowing
what are the broad causes of dysphagia
mechanical block
motility
others
what are mechanical causes of dysphagia
oesophageal strictures
malignancy - oes/gastric
extrinsic pressure: nodes, lung Ca, goitre, aortic aneurysm, pharyngeal pouch
what are motility causes of dysphagia
achalasia
diffuse oesophageal spasm
systemic sclerosis
neurological: MND, MG, PD, syringobulbia
what are other causes of dysphagia
oesophagitis - reflux, candidiasis, eosinophilic
globus
5 key questions to ask in dysphagia
- was there difficulty swallowing both solids and liquids from the start
- is it difficult to make the swallowing movement
- is swallowing painful
- is it intermittent or constant
- does the neck bulge or gurgle on drinking
D.Dx of dysphagia with difficulty swallowing both liquids and solids from the start
motility disorders e.g. achalasia
D.Dx of dysphagia with difficulty in making swallowing movement
neurological e.g. bulbar palsy
D.Dx of dysphagia with odynophagia
cancer
stricture
candidiasis
spasm
D.Dx of dysphagia with intermittent vs constant symptoms
intermittent - spasm
constant - stricture, cancer
D.Dx of dysphagia with gurgling/bulging
pharyngeal pouch
investigations for dysphagia
FBC U+E CXR - mediastinal mass? OGD +- biopsy barium swallow/fluoroscopy oesophageal manometry
symptoms of diffuse oesophageal spasm
intermittent dysphagia and chest pain
corkscrew appearance on barium swallow
what is achalasia
lower oesophageal sphincter fails to relax
degeneration of myenteric plexus
dysphagia to solids and liquids, regurgitation, weight loss
dilated tapering / ‘bird’s beak appearance’ oesophagus on barium swallow
management of achalasia
endoscopic balloon dilatation
Heller’s cardiomyotomy
PPIs
botox injection
causes of oesophageal strictures
longstanding GORD
radiotherapy
corrosives
what is globus sensation
non painful sensation of a lump/tightness/foreign body in the pharyngeal area
what is globus
functional oesophageal disorder characterised by globus sensation without any underlying structural abnormality
dysphagia is a normal part of ageing?
no
associated symptoms of dysphagia
heartburn weight loss haematemesis anaemia regurgitation of food respiratory symptoms
what is GORD
gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
incompetent LOS leading to reflux of acidic stomach contents back into the oesophagus
RF for GORD
abdominal obesity alcohol smoking pregnancy drugs - tricyclics, anticholinergics hiatus hernia H. pylori (Gm-) gastric acid hypersecretion systemic sclerosis
complications of GORD
oesophagitis
strictures
Barrett’s oesophagus
oesophageal (adeno)carcinoma
symptoms of GORD
heartburn - retrosternal discomfort after a meal belching salivation odynophagia nocturnal asthma chronic cough laryngitis - hoarse voice
What is Barrett’s oesophagus
metaplasia of stratified squamous epithelium of the oesophagus to glandular columnar epithelium similar to that of the gastric/intestinal mucosa
occurs after longstanding GORD
RF for Barrett’s oesophagus
GORD obesity smoking M>F alcohol FH
which part of the oesophagus does Barrett’s oesophagus affect
lower 1/3rd
investigations of GORD
endoscopy Ba swallow (hiatus hernia) oesophageal manometry and pH studies
GORD is more likely to cause adeno / squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus
adenocarcinoma (glandular)
what are the steps in the pathogenesis of adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus
normal
oesophagitis (reversible)
Barrett’s
adenocarcinoma
lifestyle modifications in the management of GORD
smoking cessation lose weight prop up the bed head reduce alcohol avoid provoking factors small regular meals avoid eating right before bed
pharmacological symptomatic relief for GORD
antacids
have no healing benefit
What medications can be used for GORD that have healing and symptomatic relief
PPIs
e.g. omeprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole
what surgical procedure is available for GORD
Nissen fundoplication
Barrett’s oesophagus is ir/reversible
irreversible
management of oesophageal dysplasia
more frequent surveillance optimaise PPI dose endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) radiofrequency ablation argon
what is a hiatus hernia
the fundus of the stomach slides through a weakness in the diaphragm
what is gastroparesis
delayed gastric emptying
symptoms of gastroparesis
feeling of fullness
N+V
weight loss
upper abdominal pain
causes of gastroparesis
idiopathic DM cannabis medications - opioids, anticholinergics systemic sclerosis
investigation for gastroparesis
gastric emptying studies
management of gastroparesis
remove precipitating factors liquid diet eat small regular meals promotility agents gastric pacemaker
how can patients with Barrett’s oesophagus be surveilled
endoscopy with biopsy
Barrett’s oesophagus is a premalignant condition for oesophageal adenocarcinoma, true or false
true
what is dyspepsia
epigastric pain/burning
postprandial fullness
early satiety
what are the ALARM Symptoms?
A - anaemia L - loss of weight A - anorexia R - recent onset M - malaena/haematemesis S - swallowing difficulties
RF for dyspepsia
H.pylori infection
NSAID use
broad causes of dyspepsia
organic
functional
organic causes of dyspepsia
PUD
gastric cancer
drugs - NSAIDs
H. pylori infection
what is functional dyspepsia
all the symptoms of dyspepsia with no underlying organic pathology
usually associated with IBS
normal endoscopy and H. pylori -
dyspepsia is burning in the epigastrium and retrosternal pain?
NO,
only epigastric burning
NO retrosternal pain
management of dyspepsia
in the absence of ALARM Symptoms:
consider lifestyle advice and antacids
H. pylori test and treat
management of dypepsia with ALARM Symptoms or >=55yr
refer to hospital specialist
symptoms of PUD
dyspepsia epigastric pain radiating to the back nocturnal symptoms aggravated/relieved by eating relapsing and remitting
which is more common duodenal or gastric ulcers
duodenal > gastric
duodenal ulcers are aggravated/relieved by eating and gastric ulcers are aggravated/relieved by eating
duodenal - relieved by eating
gastric - aggravated by eating
RF/causes of PUD
H. pylori
drugs - NSAIDs, steroids, SSRIs
gastric acid hypersecretion
smoking
what is H. pylori
Gm - microaerophilic spiral flagellated bacilli
oral-oral / faecal-oral spread
complications of H. pylori infection
nothing
PUD
gastric cancer - adenocarcinoma, MALToma
how long should you stop PPIs before OGD
2 weeks
investigation for H. pylori
13C urea breath test OR
stool antigen test OR
lab serology (not very accurate)
investigation for H. pylori retesting following eradication therapy
13C urea breath test
management of H. pylori
7 days of BD:
- PPI +
- amoxicillin +
- metronidazole or clarithromycin
(or PPI and M + C is penicillin allerguc)
H. pylori increases the pH of its environment, true or false
true
urease causes production of ammonium bicarbonate
complications of PUD
anaemia
bleeding
perforation
fibrosis - gastric outlet obstruction
what is haematemesis
vomiting of blood from the upper GI tract
what is malaena
black tarry stools from upper GI bleeding
Rockall score is pre/post endoscopic
pre endoscopic
Blatchford is post endoscopic
RF/common causes of upper GI bleeding
PUD oesophageal varices Mallory-Weiss tear oesophagitis gastritis duodenitis drugs - NSAIDs, steroids, anticoagulants malignancy
initial management of upper GI bleeding
ABCDE IV access with large bore cannula - IV fluids and bloods oxygen assess patient for stigmata or bleeding and cirrhosis urine output - catheter check drugs do Rockall/Blatchford score ECG, CXR Major haemorrhage protocol? transfusion IV omeprzole ?
what investigation should be done for upper GI bleeding
endoscopy
- identifies cause
- therapeutic manoeuvres
- assess risk of re bleeding
definitive management of bleeding peptic ulcers
endoscopic: adrenaline injection heater probe coagulation clips haemospray IV omeprazole IR, surgery
blood tests for upper GI bleeding
FBC U+E LFT CRP urea clotting crossmatch ABG
definitive management of variceal bleeding
IV terlipressin endoscopic variceal ligation - banding sclerotherapy Sengstaken-Blakemore balloon / balloon tamponade - if all fails TIPS - IR transplant
considerations for variceal bleeding
reverse anticoagulation IV pabrinex antibiotics replace electrolytes delirium tremens hypoglycaemia
what is TIPS procedure
transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shuny
connects the portal vein to the hepatic vein to bypass the liver
bleeding PU - adrenaline/terlipressin
bleeding varices - adrenaline/terlipressin
ulcer - adrenaline
varices - terlipressin
prophylaxis of variceal bleeding
non-selective B blocker e.g. propranolol
repeat banding
What is haematochezia
PR bleeding
what can causes of PR bleeding be broadly grouped into
local
infections
colitis
pathologies of GI tract
what are local causes of PR bleeding
haemorrhoids fissures fistulas (aorto-enteric) ulcers peri-anal disease