GI conditions Flashcards
What is oesophageal hypermotility?
Exaggerated, uncoordinated hypertonic contractions
What are the symptoms of oesophageal hypermotility?
Severe episodic pain, with or without dysphagia
Wat investigations can be done for oesophageal hypermotilty?
Barium swallow- corkscrew appearance
Manometry- exaggerated, uncoordinated hypertonic contractions
What is the treatment of oesophageal hypermotility?
Smooth muscle relaxants
What is oesophageal hypomotility?
Failure of lower oesophageal sphincter mechanism
What are the risk factors for oesophageal hypomotility?
Connect tive tissue disease
Diabetes
Neuropathy
What are the symptoms of oesophageal hypomotility?
Hertburn
Reflux
What are the complications of oesophageal hypomotility?
Can lead to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
What is achalasia?
Functional distal obstruction of oesophagus
What causes achalasia?
Functional loss of myenteric plexus ganglion cells in distal oesophagus and lower oesophageal sphincter, causing LOS to fail to contract
What are the signs and symptoms of achalasia?
Progressive dysphagia Weight loss Chest pain Regurgitation Chest infections
What is the treatment of achalasia?
Nitrates and CCBs
Pneumatic balloon dilatation
SUrgical myotomy
What are the complications of achalasia?
Aspiration pneumonia and lung disease
Increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma
What happens in gastro-oesophageal reflex disease?
Mucosa exposed to pepsina nd bile
Increased cell loss and regenerative activity
Erosive oesophagitis
What are the types of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease?
With normal anatomy
Due to hiatus hernia
What are the causes of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease with normal anatomy?
Increased transient relaxations of LOS Hypotensive LOS Delayed gastric emptying Delayed oesophageal emptying Decreased oesophageal acid clearance Decreased tissue resistance to acid/bile
What causes gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in hiatus hernia?
Anatomical distortion of gastro-oesophageal junction
Fundus of stomach moves proximally through diaphragmatic hiatus
What are the types of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease due to hiatus hernia?
Sliding
Paraoesophageal
What ar the risk factors for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease?
Pregnancy Obesity Drugs lowering LOS pressure Smoking Alcohol Hypomotility
What are the signs and symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease?
HErtburn
Cough
Water brash
Sleep disturbance
What investigations are done for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease?
Endoscopy only if alarm features- dysphagia, weight loss or vomiting
How is gastro-oesophageal reflux disease diagnosed?
Based on characteristic symptoms
What is the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease?
Lifestyle measures
Alginates, H2RA, PPI
Anti-reflux surgery in severe cases
What are the complications of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease?
Ulceration
Stricture
Barrett’s oesophagus
Carcinoma
What ar the types of oesophageal cancer?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
What is a squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma?
Large, exophyti occulting tumour
Where does squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma occur?
Proximal 2/3 oesophagus
What is squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma proceeded by?
Dysplasia and carcinoma in situ
What is squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma associated with?
Achalasia
Caustric strictures
Plummer-Vinson syndrome
What are the risk factors for squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma?
Smoking
Alcohol
What is oesophageal adenocarcinoma?
Change of squamous epithelium to glandular epithelium
Where does oesophageal adenocarcinoma occur?
Distal 1/3 oesophagus
What causes oesophageal adenocarcinoma?
Barrett’s oesophagus
What are the risk factor for oesophageal adenocarcinoma?
Obesity
Caucasian
Male
Middle aged
What are the signs and symptoms of oesophageal cancer?
Progressive dysphagia Odynophagia Anorexia and weight loss Chest pain Cough and haemetemesis Pneumonia Vocal cord paralysis
How is oesophageal cancer diagnosed?
Endoscopy and biopsy
How is oesophageal cancer staged?
CT
ENdoscopic ultrasound
PET
Bone scan
Where are the common sites of metastases for oesophageal cancer?
Liver
Lung
Brain
Bone
What is the curative treatment of oesophageal cancer?
Oesophagectomy
With or without neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant chemo
What is the treatment of oesophageal cancer for localised but inoperable disease?
Combined chemo and radiotherapy
What is the palliative treatment of oesophageal cancer?
Chemo
Radiotherapy
Brachytherapy
Endoscopic- stent, laser/APG, PEG
What is dyspepsia?
Group of symptoms rather than a disease
What are the upper GI causes of dyspepsia?
Peptic ulcer
Gastritis
Nonulcer dyspepsia
Gastric cancer
What are the lower GI causes of dyspepsia?
IBS
Colonic cancer
What are the non GI causes of dyspepsia?
Metabolic or cardiac disease
Psychological
Drugs
What are the “other” GI causes of dyspepsia?
Hepatic causes
Gallstones
Pancreatic disease
Coeliac
What are the signs and symptoms of dyspepsia?
Upper abdo discomfort Retrosternal pain Anorexia N&V Bloating Fullness and early satiety Heartburn
When are investigations carried out for dyspepsia?
Anorexia Weight loss anaemia Recent onset or persistent Melaena/haemetemesis Dysphagia
What bloods are done for dyspepsia?
FBC Ferritin LFTs U+Es Ca Glucose Coeliac serology
What should be asked about in drug history with dyspepsia?
NSAIDs Steroids Bisphosphates Ca antagonists Nitrates Theophyllines
What social history should be taken with dyspepsia?
Alcohol
Smoking
Diet
Exercise
What is gastritis?
Inflammation of stomach
What are the 3 types of gastritis?
Type A= autoimmune
Type B= bacterial
Type C-= chemical
What is Type A gastritis?
Organ specific autoimmune disease with antibodies against parietal cells and intrinsic factor
Atrophy of specialised acid secreting epithelium
What is the most common type of gastritis?
Type B
What is type B gastritis associated with?
H pylori
What are the common causes of type C gastritis?
NSAIDs
Alcohol
Bile
What does type A gastritis cause?
Decreased acid secretion
Loss of intrinsic factor= B12 deficiency
What are the signs and symptoms of dyspepsia?
Dyspepsia
Nausea and vomiting
Fullness
What investigations should be done for gastritis?
Stool test
Breath test for H pylori
Endoscopy
Barium swallow
What is the treatment of gastritis?
H2 receptor blockers
PPIs
Eradication of H pylori (clairithromycin, amoxicillin and PPI)
What are the complications of gastritis?
Peptic ulcers
Polyps
Gastric tumours
What are peptic ulcers?
Sores that affect lower oesophagus, body and antrum of stomach and proximal 2/3 of duodenum
What are the causes of peptic ulcers?
H pylori
NSAIDs
SMoking
Other conditions
What are the signs and symptoms of peptic ulcers?
Epigastric pain and tenderness Nocturnal/hunger pain Back pain Nausea and vomiting Weight loss and anorexia Haemetemesis/melaena/anaemia
What investigations are done for peptic ulcer?
UGIE
Identifying cause
What is the treatment of peptic ulcers?
H pylori eradication therapy- Clairithromycin, amoxicillin, PPI
PPI, H2 receptor antagonist
Stop NSAIDs/use only with extra protection
Surgery- if severe or dilatation
What are the complications of peptic ulcers?
Acute or chronic bleeding
Perforation
Fibrotic stricture
Gastric outlet obstruction
What ar the signs and symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction?
Recurrent vomiting Early satiety Abdo distension Weight loss Gastric splash Dehydration Metabolic alkalosis Low Cl, Na and K Renal impairment
What are the majority of gastric cancers?
Adenocarcinoma
What are the causes of gastric cancer?
Diet Geetics Smoking H pylori Previous gastric resection Biliary reflux Premalignant gastric pathology
What are the signs and symptoms of gastric cancer?
Dyspepsia Early satiety N&V Weight loss GI bleeding Anaemia Gastric outlet obstruction
What are the diagnostic investigations for gastric cancer?
Endoscopy and biopsy
What are the staging investigations for gastric cancer?
CT
PET
What is the treatment of gastric cancer?
Surgery and chemo
What are the causes of malabsorption?
Inflammation Infection Infiltration Impaired motility Iatrogenic Pancreatic
What are the inflammatory causes of malabsorption?
Coeliac
Crohn’s
What are the infective causes of malabsorption?
Tropica sprue HIV Giardia lambila Whipple's disease Tropheryma whippelii
What are the infiltrative causes of malabsorption?
Amyloid
What are the motility causes of malabsorption?
Systemic sclerosis
Diabetes
Pseudo obstruction
What are the iatrogenic causes of malabsorption?
Gastric surgery
Short bowel syndrome
Radiation
What are the pancreatic causes of malabsorption?
Chronic pancreatitis
Cystic fibrosis
What are the signs and symptoms of malabsorption?
Weight loss
Increased appetite
Steatorrhoea
Specific deficiencies
What are the specific deficiencies associated with malabsorption?
Iron Folate, B12 Ca, Mg, vit D Vit A Vit K Vit B complex Vit C
What are the signs of a Ca, Mg or vit D deficiency?
Tetany
Osteomalacia
What is a sign of vit A deficiency?
Night blindness
What is a sign of vit K deficiency?
Raised PTR
What are the signs of vit B complex deficiencies?
Thiamine- dementia
Niacin- dermatitis, heart failure
What is the sign of vit C deficiency?
Scurvy
What is clubbing in malabsorption a sign of>
Coeliac
Crohn’s
What is scleroderma in malabsorption a sign of?
Systemic sclerosis
What is aphthous ulceration in malabsorption a sign of?
Coeliac
Crohn’s
What is dermatitis herpetiformis a sign of?
Coeliac
What is coeliac?
Sensitivity to the Gladin fraction of gluten, causing an inflammatory response
What does coeliac disease cause?
Partial or subtotal villous atrophy
Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes
What are the signs and symptoms of coeliac?
Weight loss Diarrhoea and/or constipation Abdo pain Anaemia Fatigue Bloating Dermatitis herpetiformis
How is coeliac diagnosed?
Serology
HLA status
Distal duodenal biopsy
What dow e look for in coeliac serology?
Anti endomysial IgA
Anti tissue transglutaminase
Why is HLA status not an effective diagnostic tool for coeliac?
+ in 97% coeliacs and 30% general population
What are the 3 forms of villous atrophy in coeliac?
Partial- villi shortened
Subtotal- lining flat but glands extend
Total- lining down to thin line
What is the treatment of coeliac?
Withdraw gluten and refer to dietician
What are the complications of coeliac?
Refractory coeliac Small bowel lymphoma Oesophageal carcinoma Colon caner Small bowel adenocarcinoma
What is refractory coeliac?
Doesn’t respond to diet
Treat with steroids
What conditions are associated with coeliac?
Dermatitis herpetiformis Type 1 diabetes Atoimmune thyroid disease Autoimmune hepatitis Primary biliary cirrhosis Autoimmune gastritis Sjogren syndrome IgA deficiency Downs syndrome
What is ulcerative colitis (UC)?
Strong immune response against normal flora in large bowel
What is the histology of UC?
Continuous pattern of inflammation Pseudopolyps, ulceration Cryptitis, crypt abscesses Submucosal fibrosis Inflammation does nt reach serosa No granulomas
What are the causes of UC?
Idiopathic
Genetic
What are the risk factors for UC?
Male
20-30 years and 70-80 years
What are the signs and symptoms of UC?
Bloody diarrhoea
Abdo pain
Weight loss
Severe attacks
What are the signs and symptoms of a severe attack of UC?
Stool frequency >6 times a day with blood Fever >37.5 Tachycardia >90 High CRP Anaemis Hb<10g/dl Low albumin <30g/l Leucocytosis, thrombocytosis
What investigations are done for UC?
History
Radiograph
pANCA
What % of UC patients of pANCA + in?
75%
What is the outpatient treatment of UC?
5ASA
Steroids
Immunosuppression
What are the 5ASAs used to treat UC?
Acrylic resin Ethylcellulose microgranules Balsalazide Olzalazine Sulfasalazine
What steroids are used to treat UC?
Prednisolone- tapering reduction over 4 weeks
Budenoside- Ileal and ascending colon disease only
What immunosuppressants are used in UC?
Azathioprine
Methotrexate
Ciclosporin
Tacrolimus
What is the hospital treatment of UC?
Steroids Anticoagulation Ciclosporin Infliximab Surgery
What surgery can be done for UC?
Total colectomy
Rectal preservation
Ileostomy
Pouch procedure
What is used in place of steroids in children with UC?
Elemental feeding
What would signify failure of treatment in UC?
Recurrent courses of steroids
Recurrent relapses
Failure to control symtpoms
Unacceptable complications- diabetes, osteoporosis, psychosis
What is Crohn’s?
Strong immune response against normal flora at any level in the GI tract
What % of cases of Crohn’s appear in small intestine, large intestine or both?
40% SI
30% both
30% LI
What is the histology of Crohn’s?
Patchy disease- skip lesions and cobblestone appearance Cryptitis and crypt abscesses, crypt destruction Architectural distortion Deep ulceration Transmural inflammation Non caveating granulomas Fibrosis Lymphangiectasia
What are the primary methods of distinguish the histology of Crohn’s from UC?
Crohn’s- cobblestone appearance and non caveating granulomas
What are the causes of Crohn’s?
Genetic
Idiopathic
What are the signs and symptoms of Crohn’s?
Diarrhoea Abdo pain Weight loss Malaise, lethargy, anorexia, N&V, low grade fever Malabsorption
What are the long term features of Crohn’s?
Malabsorption Strictures Fistulas and abscesses Perforation Increased risk of cancer
What investigations are done for Crohn’s?
History
Radiography
pANCA
What % of Crohn’s patients have a + pANCA?
30%
What is the outpatient treatment of Crohn’s?
5ASA
Steroids
Immunosuppression
What 5ASAs are used to treat Crohn’s?
Acrylic resin Ethylcellulose Balsalazide Olzalazine Sulfasalazine
What steroids are used to treat Crohn’s?
Prednisolone- tapering reduction over 4 weeks
Budenoside- ideal and ascending colon disease only
What immunosuppressants are used to treat Crohn’s?
Azathioprine
Methotrexate
Ciclosporin
Tacrolimus
What is the hospital treatment of Crohn’s?
Steroids Anticoagulation Ciclosporin Infliximab Surgery
What surgeries can be done for Crohn’s?
Total colectomy
Rectal preservation
Ileostomy
Pouch procedure
What are the indications for surgery in Crohn’s?
Failure of medical management Relief of obstructive symptoms Management of fistulae Management of intra abdominal masses or anal conditions Failure to thrive
What are the frequent areas of surgery in Crohn’s?
Small intestine- 30%
Ileocaecal- 40%
Colorectal- 30%
What is used in place of steroids in treating children with Crohn’s?
Elemental feeding
What signifies failure of therapy in Crohn’s?
Recurrent courses of steroids
Recurrent relapses
Failure to control symptoms
Unacceptable complications- diabetes, osteoporosis, psychosis
What is ischaemic enteritis?
Occlusion of vessels suppling SI and/or LI and can cause acute or chronic hypoperfusion
What is the histology of acute hypoperfusion in ischaemic enteritis?
Oedema Interstitial changes Necrosis Indistinct nuclei Initial absence of inflammation Vascular dilatation
What is the histology of chronic hypoperfusion in ischaemic enteritis?
Mucosal inflammation Ulceration Submucosal inflammation Fibrosis Stricture
What are the risk factors of arterial thrombosis?
Severe atherosclerosis Systemic vasculitis Dissecting aneurysm Hypercoagulable Oral contraceptive
What are the risk factors of arterial embolism?
Cardiac vegetation
Acute arteroembolism
Cholesterol embolism
What are the risk factors of non occlusive ischaemic enteritis?
Cardiac failure
Shock/dehydration
Vasoconstrictive drugs
What is radiation colitis?
Impaired proliferative activity of S and L bowel epithelium
What is the histology of radiation colitis?
Inflammation Arterial stenosis Ulceration Necrosis Haemorrhage Perforation
What are the signs and symptoms of radiation colitis?
Anorexia
Abdo cramps
Diarrhoea
Malabsorption
What is appendicitis?
Acute inflammation and fibrous obliteration of the appendix
What is the histology of appendicitis?
Fibrinopurulent exudate
Perforation
Abscess
Acute suprative inflammation in wall and pus in lumen of appendix
Acute gangrenous full thickness necrosis, with or without perforation
What are the signs and symptoms of appendicitis?
Poorly localised pain that may come and go that progresses to sharp pain at McBurney's point Fever N&V Diarrhoea Anorexia
What is the treatment of appendicitis?
Appendectomy
What are the complications of appendicitis?
Peritonitis
Abscesses
How do adenomas become adenocarcinomas?
Activation of oncogene
Loss of tumour suppressor gene
Defective DNA repair pathway