GI/Nutrition Flashcards
What other compounds are elevated in folate and B12 deficiencies, respectively?
Homocysteine is elevated in both (and in B6 deficiency)
MMA (methylmalonic acid) is elevated only in B12 deficiency
Symptoms of niacin deficiency?
Pellagra: diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia
dermatitis: rough, dark, scaly skin in sun-exposed area
Classic presentation of carcinoid syndrome
Diarrhea, episodic flushing, venous telangiectasias, right heart valve disease
Cardiac involvement in carcinoid syndrome
TIPS: tricuspic insufficiency, pulmonic stenosis (due to steroid-induced fibrosis of valves)
Serum marker for carcinoid syndrome
5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindoloacetic acid), a serotonin metabolite
Giardia: test? Treatment?
Test: stool antigen assay
Treatment: Metronidazole
Neck mass that increases with drinking: diagnosis? test?
Zenker diverticulum.
Test: contrast esophagram
Difficulty initiating swallow: diagnosis? test?
Oropharyngeal dysphagia.
Tetst: videofluoroscopid modified barium swallow
Initial test for esophageal dysphagia that begins with liquids and solids?
For esophageal dysphagia that progresses from solids to liquids?
If starts with solids and liquids together, perform barium swallow first (likely a motility defect, e.g. achalasia)
If begins with solids only, perform endoscopy first (likely mechanical obstruction, e.g. stricture or cancer).
Risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma? SCC?
Adenocarcinoma: GERD (Barrett’s), smoking
SCC: Alcohol abuse, smoking
Brief episodes of non-cardiac chest pain with dysphagia during the episode only. Diagnosis? Best test? Initial treatment?
Diagnosis: Diffuse esophageal spasm
Test: manometry
Treatment: CCBs (diltiazem)
Diagnostic test for suspected esophageal perforation
Water-soluble contrast esophagram or CT
Do not due barium swallow
Initial treatment for low-grade MALT lymphoma due to H. pylori?
Second-line treatment?
Initial treatment: Triple therapy for H. pylori (PPI, clarithromycin, amoxicillin)
Second-line: chemotherapy
Pattern of markers in hepatitis B infection that clears
- Surface antigen appears
- IgM against core antigen
- Surface antigen disappears (window period)
- IgM against surface antigen
Three extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C
- Porphyria cutanea tarda (blistering 2-3 days after sun exposure, reddish urine due to porphyrins)
- Membranoproliferative GN (and so HTN)
- Mixed cryoglobulinemia (fatigue, arthralgias, palpable purpura, low C4, positive RF)
Labs in mixed cryoglobulinemia
- Low complement, especially C4
- Positive rheumatoid factor
- Cryoglobulins
Labs in cholestasis
Elevated alk phos and blirubin, only mild elevation in AST/ALT
Presentation of Wilson’s disease (3)
- Chronic hepatitis / cirrhosis
- Neurological signs: tremor, rigidity, ataxia, slurred speech, depression
- Kayser-Fleisher rings
Labs in shock liver
Dramatic AST/ALT elevations, mild elevations in alk phos and bilirubin
Patient with cirrhosis and ascites comes in with fever or AMS: required test?
Diagnostic paracentesis (to check for SBP)
Empiric treatment of SBP
3rd-generation cephalosporin (cover gut flora like E. coli and Klebsiella)
Right-sided pleural effusion in a patient with cirrhosis: likely diagnosis?
Hepatic hydrothorax (ascitic fluid passes through small holes in diaphragm into the pleural space)
New-onset ascites: diagnostic test?
Paracentesis
Interventional prophylaxis for esophageal varices in cirrhosis? Medical prophylaxis?
Interventional: band ligation
Medical: nonselective beta-blockers like propanolol or nadolol (reduce portal blood flow)
Screening for HCC in cirrhotics?
Screening US every 6 months
Initial treatment for bleeding esophagael varices?
Next step?
Initial treatment: Volume rescusitation via 2 large bore IVs, prophylactic antibiotics, octreotide
Next stop: endoscopy within 12 hours
Labs in hepatorenal syndrome
Similar to pre-renal azotemia (low urine sodium, elevated BUN/Cr), unremarkable urine sediment.
(A result of renal vasoconstriction)
Endocrine abnormality in cirrhosis leading to spider angiomas, palmar erythema, gynecomastia, testicular atrophy?
Hyperestrinism (due to decreased estrogen metabolism)