GI Emergencies Flashcards
What is peritonitis?
Inflammation of the peritoneum
What is primary peritonitis also known as?
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
What is spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?
Infection of ascitic fluid that can not be attributed to any other cause
What are the symptoms of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?
Abdominal pain - generalised
Fever
Vomiting
How is spontaneous bacterial peritonitis diagnosed?
Aspiration of ascitic fluid - neutrophils >250 cells/mm3
What is secondary peritonitis?
Result on an inflammatory process in the peritoneal cavity secondary to inflammation, perforation or gangrene of an intra/retro peritoneal structure
What are common causes of secondary peritonitis?
Peptic ulcer disease Appendicitis Diverticulitis Ovarian cyst Tubal pregnancy
What is intussusception?
When one part of the gut tube telescopes into an adjacent section
What are the symptoms of small bowel obstruction?
N+V
Abdominal distension
Absolute constipation
What can cause a small bowel obstruction?
Adhesions
Hernias
IBD
What can cause large bowel obstruction?
Colon cancer
Diverticular disease
Volvulus
What is a volvulus?
When part of the colon twists around its mesentery
Where is a volvulus most common?
Sigmoid colon
Caecum
What is acute mesenteric ischaemia?
Symptomatic reduction in blood supply to the GI tract
What are the symptoms of acute mesenteric ischaemia?
Abdo pain
- comes on 30 mins after eating
- lasts 4 hours
N+V
