GI Differentials Flashcards
What are the differentials to conside in haematemesis?
- Oesophageal varicies
- peptic ulcer
- malignancy
- bleeding disorderr
- mallory-weiss tear
What are important things to consider in haematemesis?
- ODP, Ass, ICE, PMHx, DHx, FMHx, SHx
- had they just had a nosebleed?
- ?BLOOD THINNERS- this is an option in any bleeding presentation
- any acute bleeding - ABCDE approach
- cross match in case of further haemorrhage
In a haematemesis history, what will examination/hx finding show if there are oesophageal varicies?
What Ix should be done?
PMHx - liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension
SHx - heavy alcohol consumption
Ass q’s: Malena
Ix:
Bloods: FBC, INR, LFTs
Imaging: OGD - distended veins in lower oesophagus
In a haematemesis Hx, what will examination/Hx finding show if it is a peptic ulcer?
What Ix will be useful?
- Abdominal pain
- NSAID use
- Smoker
- PMHx of Peptic ulcer
Worse with food = gastric
better with food = duo
Ix finding:
FBC
Urea breath test: positive for H. Pylori
- H. Pylori is the most common cause of duo and gastric ulcers; nsaids more gastric
Upper Gi endoscopy
In a haematemesis Hx, what will examination/Hx finding show if it is a malignancy?
What Ix will be useful?
dysphagia (discomfort/difficulty swallowing), PMHx, FHx, drinker and smoker
Weight loss, early satiety,
fever, night sweats, weight loss
Ix: Upper GI endoscopy
In a haematemesis Hx, what will examination/Hx finding show if it is a bleeding disorder?
- Medication Hx - warfarin
- PMHx e.g.
- haemophilia (lack of CF - particulerly #8),
- von williebrand (missing or VWF that + F8, and platelets in blood vessel walls, –>platelet plug)
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In a haematemesis Hx, what will examination/Hx finding show if it is a mallory-weiss tear?
What Ix would be useful?
- Hx of retching, vomiting, coughing or straining
- light headedness or dizziness
Ix: OGD: visible red longitudinal defect (tear)
What are the different ddx for a presentation of diarrhoea?
- Gastroenteritis (norovirus or campyloacter - jejuni or coli)
- a few days Hx
- IDB
- ~18y/o male w/ chronic diarrhoea
- IBS
- 20y/o female. diarrhoea + STRESS
- Diverticular disease
- Middle aged, RF: obesity and low fibre diet
- Colorectal cancer
- 55y/o male w/blood in loose stools
Importnant to consider: ODP Ass - follow the GI tract down, then screen for red flags, PMHx, travel, FHx, SHx
?Dehydration –> do they need fluids set up
In a diarrhoea Hx, what will examination/Hx finding show if it is gastroenteritis?
What investigations would be useful?
- profuse WATERY diarrhoea
- fever
- Hx: foreign travel or eating poorly cooked foods
- other family/household members sick
Ix:
- stool MC&S
- if concerned about parasites: serodiagnosis
In a diarrhoea Hx, what will examination/Hx finding show if it is IBD?
What investigations would be useful?
-
Ulcerative collitis
- blood and mucus
- crampy abdo pain
- urgency
- tenesmus (rectal involvement)
-
Crohns
- mucus
- colicky abdo pain
-
BOTH:
- fever
- weight loss
- Ix:
- FBC, CRP and ESR
- Colonoscopy and biopsy
- malaise
In a diarrhoea Hx, what will examination/Hx finding show if it is IBS?
What investigations would be useful?
- triad:
- constipation/diarrhoea mix
- bloating
- relief on defecation
Ix: its a functional disorder, rule out other things
In a diarrhoea Hx, what will examination/Hx finding show if it is diverticular disease?
What investigations would be useful?
- bloody diarrhoea
- abdo pain in LIF
- if its diverticulitis:
- __fever, nausea and vomiting
- if its diverticulitis:
Ix: fbc, contrast enema (barium enema) [x-ray study that useing a water solublecontrast agent containing iodine or barium to show the structure of the rectum/colon/large intestine.
In a diarrhoea Hx, what will examination/Hx finding show if it is CRC?
What investigations would be useful?
RED FLAG SYMPTOMS - abdominal pain, change in bowel habit, weight loss and iron-deficiency anaemia.
~tenesmus, haematochezia - bloody stools, in or with (diarrhoea normally LS)
PMHx of malignancy, IBD or coeliacs
Ix:
Blood: FBC (anaemia) CRP, ESR, U&Es(Ca2+ ~ constipation and abdo pain + polydipsia and polyurea)
Colonoscopy and biopsy
What are the the Ddx for jaundice?
- Alcoholic liver disease (alcoholic hepatitis)
- Viral hepatitis (A, B, C)
- Primary biliary sclerosis
- Choleliathiasis
- Female, Fat, Forty and Fertile
- Pancreatic adenocarinoma (head of panc)
- usually present with symptoms of mets, but in some cases ~jaundice
- Chronic pancreatitis
- 50 y/o alcoholic presents with jaundice and bloating
- heamolytic anaemia
- malaria, G6DP def, sickle cell
Important to consider: Red flags – PAINLESS JAUNDICE
always do an alcohol hx + CAGE
In a jaundice Hx, what will examination/Hx finding show if it is alcoholic liver disease (alcoholic hepatitis)?
What Ix would be useful?
- Chronic alcoholic
- pain
- ascites
- bruising
- RUQ pain
- Jaundice was rapid onset
Ix finding: LFTs - AST>ALT
[in alcoholism AST:ALT raised over 1.5. + GGT + icHDL are signs too]