GI, renal and hepatic medicine Flashcards
What is the distribution of UC?
Continuous
Mucosal only
Rectum to ileocaecal valve
What is the distribution of Crohn’s?
Patchy
Full thickness
Mouth to anus
What are the macroscopic changes seen in UC?
Continuous inflammation
Pseudopolyps
What are the macroscopic changes seen in Crohn’s?
Cobblestoning
Apthous ulcers
Serpiginous ulcers
Rose thorn ulcers
What are the microscopic changes seen in UC?
Crypt abcesses
Decreased goblet cells
Inflammatory infiltrate of the lamina propria
What are the microscopic changes seen in Crohn’s?
Granulomas with Langerhan’s giant
Increased goblet cells
What are the radiological changes seen in UC?
Lead pipe colon
Fat halo
Thumb printing
What are the radiological changes seen in Crohn’s?
Kantor’s string sign on barium xray
What surgical procedure is appropriate for an emergency presentation of UC?
Sub total colectomy, end ileostomy and a mucous fistula
Which surgical procedure is appropriate for an elective presentation of UC?
Pan proctocolectomy, an ileoanal pouch may be a selected option for some.
Although increased risk of colon cancer.
Which marker is often high in Crohns?
ASCA
What are the complications seen in UC?
Toxic megacolon
What are the complciations seen in Crohn’s?
Stricture - Obstruction
Fistula
Abcess
What are the extra-intestinal symptoms of IBD in general?
Skin - pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema nodosum
Eyes - Iritis, uveitis, episcleritis
Joints - Ank spond, sacroilitis, osteoporosis
What are the extra-intestinal symptoms specific to UC?
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
What are the extra-intestinal symptoms specific to Crohn’s?
Gallstones
Pancreatitis
Hepatic abcess
What are the extra-intestinal symptoms specific to Crohn’s?
Gallstones
Pancreatitis
Hepatic abcess
Oxalate renal stones
Does Crohn’s or UC have a higher risk of Ca?
UC
What are the symptoms of Crohn’s?
Diarrhoea usually non-bloody
Weight loss more prominent
Upper gastrointestinal symptoms, mouth ulcers, perianal disease
Abdominal mass palpable in the right iliac fossa
What are the symptoms of UC?
Bloody diarrhoea more common
Abdominal pain in the left lower quadrant
Tenesmus
What is the effect of smoking on Crohn’s and UC?
Eases UC
Causes Crohn’s flares
What is the workup for suspected IBD?
Fbc - anaemia, prothrombotic state U+E - hypokalaemia CRP - tracking LFTs- primary sclerosing cholangitis B12 and folate - terminal ileum involvement
Stool cultures Faecal calprotectin - inflammatory bowel marker Abdo xray - obstruction, toxic megacolon CXR - perforation Endoscopy and biopsy
How would you manage an acute flare of IBD?
Fluids Electrolytes Analgesia - avoid NSAIDs Rectal mesalazine then oral prednisolone if no effect Avoid antibiotics unless severe or septic Avoid loperamide - risk toxic megacolon
How would you manage IBD pharmacologically?
- Sulfasalazine
- Azathioprine or mesalazine
- Infliximab
Plus smoking cessation, b12/iron where possible, refer to surgeons in UC.
What are the indications for infliximab in IBD?
Failed with DMARDS
Severe active disease
Review every 12 months
What are the causes of portal hypertension?
Cirrhosis
Right heart failure
Budd-Chiari (hepatic vein thrombosis)
Schistosomiasis
What is the pathophysiology of portal hypertension?
Increased pressure in the portal vein increases back pressure on the gastric vein. This opens up embryonic channels eg between the gastric and azygous vein. They form varices as the pressure increases.
What are the complications of portal hypertension?
Ascites - spontaneous peritonitis
Varices
Where are the most common sites of varices?
Oesophageal
Rectal
Caput medusa
Describe the histopathology of cirrhosis?
Nodules of hepatocytes surrounded by bands of collagen
What are the complications of cirrhosis?
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Decompensation
Portal hyptension (and therefore ascites and varices)
Describe the metabolism of alcohol.
Alcohol dehydrogenase
Acetaldehyde (and Mallory’s hyaline)
Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase
Acetate
How does alcohol cause cirrhosis?
Increased acetaldehyde Inflammation Increased cytokines Increased fibroblasts Fibrosis
What are the main metabolic causes of cirrhosis?
Alcohol
Fat (NASH)
Copper (Wilson’s)
Iron (Haemochromatosis)
What are the main inflammatory causes of cirrhosis?
Hep B and C Autoimmune Primary biliary cirrhosis Primary sclerosing cholangitis Alpha 1 antitrypsin
What are the signs of cirrhosis?
Jaundice Ascites Visible epigastric vessels Spider naevi Duypuytren's Parotidomegaly Metabolic flap Increased oestrogen - gynaecomastia, palmar erythema, decreased body hair
What are the signs of a decompensated cirrhosis?
Metabolic flap
Increased bilirubin, increased INR, decreased albumin
Encephalopathy:
- decreased attention
- insomnia
- confusion
- dyspraxia
Why does liver disease often cause renal disease?
Hepatorenal syndrome
Bilirubin is toxic to kidneys
What is the management for cirrhosis?
Beta blockers to prevent variceal bleeding
Spironolactone for ascites - consider paracentesis
Monitor alpha fetoprotein - HCC
What blood results indicate recent alcohol misuse?
Gamma GT
Increased MCV without anaemia
What blood results indicate haemochromatosis?
Very increased ferritin
Decreased total iron binding capacity
What are the 3 sequelae of haemochromatosis?
Iron deposits in the liver, pancreas and pituitary
Cirrhosis
Diabetes
Melananin
What is the sign of Wilson’s disease?
Kayser - Fleischer rings in the eyes
How does primary biliary cirrhosis present?
Middle aged woman
Fatigue
Sjogrens
Cholestasis - leads to pruritis, jaundice, steatorrhea and cirrhosis
Positive ANA, anti-mitochondrial
How does primary sclerosing cholangitis present?
Young with IBD
Cholestasis: jaundice and pruritus
Right upper quadrant pain
Fatigue
Abnormal LFTs and positive ANCA