GI Investigations Flashcards
what stool analysis tests can be carried out when there is a suspected GI pathology?
FOB - faecal occult blood (bowel cancer screening test) stool culture faecal calprotectin faecal elastase stool slide antigen test (H.pylori)
what endoscopic investigations can be carried out when there is a suspected GI pathology?
upper GI endoscopy Colonoscopy ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) endoscopic ultrasound enteroscopy capsule enteroscopy
what are the different types of breath tests and why are they carried out?
urea breath test = H.pylori
Hydrogen breath test = bacterial overgrowth
lactose intolerance
what test can be carried out when investigating the motility of the oesophagus?
oesophageal manometry
what test can be carried out when assessing reflux?
oesophageal PH
what are the risks of an upper GI endoscopy?
haemorrhage, perforation, aspiration
what are the risks of a colonoscopy?
haemorrhage, perforation, renal impairment
what are the risks of ERCP (endoscopic retrograde choleangiopancreatography) ?
pancreatitis haemorrhage perforation infection mortality
what is the initial imaging investigation you would choose to investigate the biliary tree?
MRCP
what blood tests would you expect to see raised if someone has gallstones in the common bile duct and why?
gallstone in the bile duct causes obstruction = raised
AlkP
Bilirubin (causing jaundice)
what blood tests would you expect to be raised if the pathology is in the liver and why?
ALT and Gamma - GT levels increase when there is hepatic damage
why do you test someones coagulation screen if there is a hepatic pathology?
a low coagulation/increased PTT/INR indicates hepatic dysfunction
this is because if the liver is damaged it cannot produce clotting factors such as vitamin B12
what test would you carry out if coeliac disease is suspected?
anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody
or anti-endomysial antibody
Distal duodenal biopsy
HLA status
why do you test someones thyroid function when there is a GI pathology?
to detect wether their weight loss or nausea is caused by a thyroid dysfunction.
or because hyperparathyroidism can cause peptic ulceration and hypothyroidism can cause constipation
what tests can be carried out to investigate a suspected inflammatory pathology?
blood CRP
stool calprotectin
