GI/Gen Surgery Flashcards
Broadly/anatomically, what causes colicky (visceral) pain?
Stretching or contracting of a hollow viscus
Anatomically, what causes localised (somatic) pain?
Peritoneal irritation
Back pain indicates the pathology is in which location?
Retroperitoneal
Abdominal pain out of proportion to the physical signs is suggestive of what?
Bowel ischaemia
What blood gas picture does bowel ischaemia give?
Metabolic acidosis
‘Free air under the diaphragm seen on CXR’
Bowel perforation
‘Dilated, thick oedematous loops of bowel seen on AXR’
Ischaemic bowel
‘Sentinel dilated upper jejunum on AXR’
Pancreatitis
‘Air in biliary tree on AXR’
Cholangitis
‘Dilated, oedematous, featureless colon’
Acute colitis
‘Dilated bowel loops, string of pearls sign on AXR’
Acute bowel obstruction
‘Coffee bean sign’
Sigmoid volvulus
What is Meckels diverticulum?
Congenital diverticulum seen in 2% of the population
What symptoms may a Meckel’s diverticulum cause?
Abdominal pain (RIF), painless PR bleed, anaemia
How is Meckels diverticulum diagnosed?
Radionucleotide scanning
How is Meckels diverticulum managed?
Treat complications
Meckels diverticulotomy
What is a sigmoid volvulus?
Large loop of bowel becomes distended and twists on mesenteric pedicle to create closed loop obstruction
How does a sigmoid volvulus present?
Abdominal distension
Constipation
Who is sigmoid volvulus common in?
Elderly people with constipation (have ‘floppy sigmoids’)
How is a sigmoid volvulus treated?
Decompression with colonoscopy
What may delay in treating a sigmoid volvulus result in?
Increased risk of bowel perforation and ischaemia
What are the two broad causes of bowel obstruction?
Mechanical and Ileus
What are mechanical causes of bowel obstruction?
Adhesions, hernias, tumours, intussusception, strictures, food bolus, volvulus, strangulation
What are some causes of an aperastaltic bowel (ileus)?
Pancreatitis, spinal injury, post-operative, DKA, sepsis
How does small bowel obstruction present?
Vomiting, abdominal pain (colicky, peri-umbilical), distention, constipation
How does large bowel obstruction present?
Pain (constant, lower abdomen), distention, absolute constipation
What signs would be seen in bowel obstruction on examination?
Signs of shock (e.g. weak pulse, cyanosis), abdominal distention, resonant percussion, tinkling or absent bowel sounds
What investigations are important in bowel obstruction?
Bloods
AXR
What does AXR show in small bowel obstruction?
Central dilated bowel with valvulae coniventes and no gas in large bowel
What does AXR show in large bowel obstruction?
Peripherally dilated bowel with haustra
What are the main complications of bowel obstruction?
Perforation, hypokalaemia, strangulation
How is bowel obstruction treated?
Drip & Suck
Correct electrolyte imbalance
Where does the oesophagus run to and from?
From the cricopharyngeus to the lower oesophageal sphincter
What type of epithelium is the oesophagus lined by?
Stratified squamous
What is the key symptom in oesophageal pathologies?
Dysphagia
What is odynophagia?
Painful swallowing
What is gastro-oesophageal reflux disease?
Reflux of bile/stomach acid into the oesophagus
What are risk factors for GORD?
Hiatus hernia, obesity, gastric acid hypersecretion, LOS hypotonia, overeating, alcohol, smoking, pregnancy, drugs
What are symptoms of GORD?
Heartburn, belching, acid brash, excess saliva, painful swallowing, nocturnal asthma, chronic cough, laryngitis
What investigations are done for GORD?
Often none needed
Can do upper GI endoscopy to rule out other pathologies/if ongoing/if patient elderly
What are some conservative management options for GORD?
Lose weight, smoking cessation, avoiding alcohol, spicy foods etc
What are some medical management options for GORD?
Antacids/alginates to relieve symptoms
PPIs if evidence of oesophagitis
What are complications of GORD?
Oesophagitis, ulcers, anaemia, strictures, Barretts oesophagus, oesophageal cancer
What is Barrett’s oesophagus?
Metaplasia of the lower oesophagus - stratified squamous epithelium replaced with columnar epithelium
What are risk factors for Barrett’s oesophagus?
GORD, male sex, smoking, central obesity
What are some symptoms of Barrett’s oesophagus?
Disease itself is asymptomatic but patients will often have GORD symptoms
What can be seen on endoscopy in Barrett’s oesophagus?
Red velvety mucosa
Is there a risk of malignancy with Barrett’s oesophagus?
YES
How is Barrett’s oesophagus monitored?
Patients have an endoscopy every 3-5 years with biopsies
How is dysplasia found on endoscopy in Barrett’s oesophagus managed?
Endoscopic mucosal resection or radiofrequency ablation
How is Barrett’s oesophagus managed medically?
High dose PPI
What type of oesophageal cancer is related to Barrett’s oesophagus?
Adenocarcinoma
What type of oesophageal cancer is related to smoking and alcohol?
Squamous cell
What are risk factors for oesophageal cancer?
Smoking, alcohol, GORD, Barratt’s achalasia, Plummer-Vinson syndrome
What are symptoms of oesophageal cancer?
Dysphagia, anorexia, weight loss
How is oesophageal cancer diagnosed?
Upper GI endoscopy with biopsies
How is oesophageal cancer managed?
Surgically - Ivor Lewis Oesophagectomy
Chemotherapy
What is achalasia?
Failure of oesophageal peristalsis and failure of lower oesophageal sphincter to relax
At what age does achalasia usually present?
Middle age
What are symptoms of achalasia?
Dysphagia of liquids (+/- solids), heartburn, regurgitation
What investigations would you do for achalasia and what would they show?
Oesophageal monometry - excessive LOS tone
Barium swallow - birds beak appearance
How is achalasia treated?
Balloon dilatation
Heller cardiomyotomy
Botox injections
What is diffuse oesophageal spasm?
Uncoordinated contractions of the oesophagus
What are the symptoms of diffuse oesophageal spasm?
Intermittant dysphagia, chest pain
What investigation would you carry out for diffuse oesophageal spasm and what would it show?
Barium swallow - corkscrew appearance
How is diffuse oesophageal spasm treated?
CCBs, PPIs, hyoscine
What can cause a benign oesophageal stricture?
GORD, surgery, radiotherapy
How is a benign oesophageal stricture treated?
Endoscopic balloon dilatation
What is Plummer-Vinson syndrome also known as?
Paterson-Brown-Kelly syndrome
What is the key triad of symptoms in Plummer-Vinson syndrome?
Dysphagia (secondary to oesophageal webs)
Glossitis
Iron deficient anaemia
How is Plummer-Vinson syndrome treated?
Oesophageal web dilatation
Iron supplements
What is a Mallory-Weiss tear?
Mucosal laceration occurring at the gastro-oesophageal junction
What is the common cause of a mallory-weiss tear?
Vomiting in alcoholics
What are oesophageal varices?
Dilated collateral veins in the lower oesophageal sphincter due to portal hypertension
What symptoms do oesophageal varices cause?
Large volume of fresh blood, potential haemodynamic compromise
What prophylactic treatment can be given for oesophageal varices?
Betablockers
Endoscopic band ligation
What treatment is used acutely in oesophageal varices bleeds?
Vitamin K, FFP
Terlipressin
Endoscopic banding
Balloon tamponade
What is Boorhaeve syndrome?
Severe vomiting leading to oesophageal rupture
What are some symptoms of dyspepsia?
Epigastric pain, bloating, fullness, heartburn
What are the ALARM Symptoms of dyspepsia?
Anaemia Loss of weight Anorexia Recent onset progressive symptoms Malaena/haematemesis Swallowing difficulties
Are gastric or duodenal ulcers commoner?
Duodenal (4x more common)
Which ulcers are relieved by eating?
Duodenal
Which ulcers are worsened by eating?
Gastric
Where do the majority of gastric ulcers occur?
Lesser curvature of the stomach
What are risk factors for gastric ulcers?
H Pylori infection, smoking, NSAIDs, duodenal reflux, delayed gastric emptying
What are the symptoms of a gastric ulcer?
Asymptomatic or epigastric pain made worse by eating
What are risk factors for duodenal ulcers?
H Pylori infection, NSAIDs, increased gastric acid secretion, increased gastric emptying, blood type O, smoking
What are the symptoms of a duodenal ulcer?
Asymptomatic or epigastric pain relieved by eating
What classification of organism is Helicobacter Pylori?
Gram negative flagellated bacillus
How is H Pylori acquired?
In infancy via faecal-oral or oral-oral spread
What are the consequences of H Pylori infection?
Peptic ulcer disease
Gastric cancer
What is the investigation for H Pylori?
Urea breath test
What treatment is used to eradicate H Pylori?
PPI + amoxicillin + metronidazole (7 days)
How do you test for cure after H Pylori eradication therapy?
Repeat urea breath test after 4 weeks
If a patient with dyspepsia is over 55 or has ALARMSymptoms, what should you do?
Upper GI endoscopy
What is the first line management for a patient with dyspepsia (under 55 and no ALARMSymptoms)?
Stop drugs that may be causing dyspepsia (e.g. NSAIDs)
Lifestyle changes - stop smoking, avoid food triggers
Try OTC antacids
Review in 4 weeks
If after 4 weeks of conservative management a patient with dyspepsia is no better, what should you do?
Investigate for H Pylori
If a patient with dyspepsia is negative for H Pylori, how should you manage them?
PPI or H2 blocker for 4 weeks
Who is gastric cancer more common in?
Elderly males
Japanese
What is seen on histology of gastric cancer?
Signet ring cells (filled with mucus)
What are risk factors for gastric cancer?
H Pylori infection, blood group A, gastric polyps, penicious anaemia, smoking, salty, spicy diet
What are symptoms of gastric cancer?
Often non specific - dyspepsia, weight loss, vomiting, dysphagia, anaemia
What are signs of gastric cancer?
Epigastric mass, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, ascites
What is Troisiers sign?
Enlarged left sided Virchows Node
What investigations should be done for gastric cancer?
Gastroscopy and biopsies
Endoscopic ultrasound and CT/MRI for staging
How is gastric cancer managed?
Surgery
Chemotherapy
What is Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
Disease with peptic ulcers caused by a gastrinoma tumour
Where is the gastrinoma usually in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
Pancreas or duodenum
What may Zollinger-Ellison syndrome be associated with?
MEN1
Are the tumours in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome malignant?
60% are
What are the symptoms of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
Multiple gastroduodenal ulcers, diarrhoea, malabsorption
How is Zollinger-Ellison syndrome investigated?
Fasting gastrin levels
How is Zollinger-Ellison syndrome treated?
PPIs + surgical removal of gastrinoma
What is jaundice?
Yellow pigmentation of the skin, sclera and mucosa
What is the cause of jaundice?
Increased plasma bilirubin
What is the normal bilirubin level?
Below 17
What level does bilirubin need to reach for symptoms to manifest?
Over 35
What is bilirubin?
Waste product from the breakdown of haemoglobin in the spleen
What organ conjugates bilirubin?
Liver
What are pre-hepatic causes of jaundice?
Haemolytic anaemias (Thalassaemia, Hereditary spherocytosis, sickle cell disease, autoimmune) Gilberts syndrome
What are hepatic causes of jaundice?
Viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, paracetamol, poisons, decompensated cirrhosis
What are post-hepatic causes of jaundice?
PBC, PSC, strictures, stones, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer
Which liver enzymes are raised the most in hepatic jaundice?
ALT/AST
Which liver enzymes are raised the most in post-hepatic jaundice?
Bilirubin and Alkaline phosphatase
What is the commonest cause of liver disease?
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
What is NAFLD associated with?
Metabolic syndrome - obesity, increased lipids, type 3 diabetes