GIT Flashcards
- The following statements concerning oesophageal carcinoma are correct: (T/F)
(a) 90% of cases are squamous cell carcinomas.
(b) Most commonly located in the upper third of the oesophagous.
(c) Plummer-Vinson syndrome is a recognised predisposing factor.
(d) It is associated with ulcerative colitis.
(e) Commonest appearance on double contrast barium swallow is of a large ulcer within a bulging mass.
Answers:
(a) Correct
(b) Not correct
(c) Correct
(d) Not correct
(e) Not correct
Explanation:
Oesophageal carcinoma most commonly located in the middle and lower third of the oesophagus. Only 20 occur in the upper one third. Polypoidal or fungating form is the commonest type. Predisposing factors for oesophageal carcinoma include Barrett’s esophagus, alcohol abuse, smoking, coeliac disease & Achalasia.
- The following statements regarding Achalasia are correct: (T/F)
(a) Dilatation of the oesophagus begins in the upper third.
(b) Multiple non-peristaltic contractions are seen on barium swallow.
(c) A prominent gastric air bubble is seen on erect CXR.
(d) There is an association with plummer-Vinson syndrome.
(e) Squamous cells carcinoma of the oesophagus is a recognised complication.
Answers:
(a) Correct
(b) Correct
(c) Not correct
(d) Not correct
(e) Correct
Explanation:
Achalasia is not associated with Plummer-Vinson syndrome.
Gastric air bubble is usually absent on erect chest x-ray.
Dilatation of the oesophagus begins in the upper one third and progresses to involve the entire length.
- Following statements regarding lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract are correct: (T/F)
(a) There is an increased risk associated with ulcerative colitis.
(b) The stomach is the most common site of involvement by non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
(c) In the colon the rectum is most commonly involved.
(d) Diffuse involvement of the whole stomach is seen in 10-15%.
(e) Presents with thickened valvulae conniventes in the small bowel.
Answers:
(a) Not correct
(b) Correct
(c) Not correct
(d) Not correct
(e) Correct
Explanation:
Lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract has an increased risk association with Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease, AIDS and SLE. Diffuse involvement of the stomach is seen in 50% of the cases. Caecum is most commonly involved in colon
- Regarding gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST): (T/F)
(a) The most significant criteria for predicting malignant potential is tumour size.
(b) It is a cause of haematemesis.
(c) The commonest location is the sigmoid.
(d) There is an association with neurofibromatosis Type 1
(e) Contrast enhancement is invariably uniform.
Answers:
(a) Correct
(b) Not correct
(c) Not correct
(d) Correct
(e) Not correct
Explanation:
Gastrointestinal stromal tumour does not cause hematemesis since they are mostly exophytic.
It is commonly located at stomach. There is heterogenous enhancement with significant hemorrhage and necrosis.
- Following statements regarding lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract are correct: (T/F)
(a) There is an increased risk associated with ulcerative colitis.
(b) The stomach is the most common site of involvement by non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
(c) In the colon the rectum is most commonly involved.
(d) Diffuse involvement of the whole stomach is seen in 10-15%.
(e) Presents with thickened valvulae conniventes in the small bowel.
Answers:
(a) Not correct
(b) Correct
(c) Not correct
(d) Not correct
(e) Correct
Explanation:
Lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract has an increased risk association with Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease, AIDS and SLE. Diffuse involvement of the stomach is seen in 50% of the cases. Caecum is most commonly involved in colon
- Which of the following are correct regarding mucosal associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract? (T/F)
(a) Perforation of the stomach is a recognised feature of gastric MALT lymphoma.
(b) MALT lymphoma is widely disseminated at the time of diagnosis is most patients.
(c) The most common site within the stomach is the antrum.
(d) Ulceration is a common feature on barium study.
(e) The normal stomach does not contain lymphoid follicles.
Answers:
(a) Correct
(b) Not correct
(c) Correct
(d) Not correct
(e) Correct
Explanation:
MALT lymphoma shows very less dissemination and generally has a better prognosis than non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The most common pattern on barium study is infiltrative, either focal or diffuse. Ulcerative lesions, especially in stomach are rare.
- Features more in keeping with jejunum than ileum include: (T/F)
(a) Thinner walls.
(b) Thicker valvulae conniventes.
(c) More numerous Peyer’s patches.
(d) One or two arterial arcades with long branches.
(e) 2.5cm width diameter.
Answers:
(a) Not correct
(b) Correct
(c) Not correct
(d) Correct
(e) Not correct
Explanation:
Ileum is 2.5 cm in diameter and jejunum is 3-3.5 cm.
Jejunum shows a few Peyer’s patches but they are larger.
Jejunum as thicker walls as compared to ileum.
- Regarding Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: (T/F)
(a) It is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.
(b) There is an association with intussusception.
(c) Patients are at increased risk of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma.
(d) Polyps are seen in the stomach.
(e) It is associated with pigmented lesions on the fingers
Answers:
(a) Not correct
(b) Correct
(c) Correct
(d) Correct
(e) Correct
Explanation:
It is an autosomal dominant disease showing polyps in stomach, small intestine especially jejunum and may be seen in colon. There is an increased risk of a adenocarcinoma but polyps themselves are hamartomatous
- Regarding Carcinoid tumour: (T/F)
(a) Carcinoid syndrome is the presentation in only 20-30% of cases.
(b) It is rarely multiple.
(c) The commonest location for this tumour is the appendix.
(d) 50% of tumours greater than 2cm in size have metastases.
(e) Angulation of small bowel loops on small bowel follow through is a diagnostic feature.
Answers:
(a) Not correct
(b) Not correct
(c) Correct
(d) Not correct
(e) Correct
Explanation:
Carcinoid tumour are multiple in 33% of the cases. Carcinoid syndrome is seen in only 7% of the cases and arises due to excess serotonin levels. The 50% of tumours of 1–2 centimetres in size have metastasis, 85% of tumour was greater than 2 cm have metastasis.
- Regarding Small bowel obstruction (SBO) in adults: (T/F)
(a) The small bowel-faeces sign is pathognomonic of SBO.
(b) Gallstone ileus typically causes jejunal obstruction.
(c) Hernias are the most common cause.
(d) Intussusception is associated with an underlying pathology in >75% of cases.
(e) Strangulation is more common in closed loop obstruction.
Answers:
(a) Not correct
(b) Not correct
(c) Not correct
(d) Correct
(e) Correct
Explanation:
Adhesions are the most common cause of small-bowel obstruction in adults followed by hernias and neoplasms.
The small bowel-fecus sign has been described in the context of small-bowel obstruction but has also been also in other metabolic or infectious diseases.
The most common site of stone impaction in gallstone ileus is ileum followed by jejunum and duodenum.
- A small bowel enema reveals smooth thickened folds in a 20cm segment of the small bowel. Differential diagnosis should include: (T/F)
(a) Congestive heart failure.
(b) Radiation enteropathy.
(c) Nephrotic syndrome.
(d) Crohn’s disease.
(e) Lymphoma.
Answers:
(a) Not correct
(b) Correct
(c) Not correct
(d) Correct
(e) Correct
Explanation:
Generalised thickening of small bowel usually occurs in hypoproteinaemia, congestive heart failure and nephrotic syndrome. Long segment thickening may reflect intramural haemorrhage example ischaemia, anticoagulant therapy. Focal thickening of small bowel should include lymphoma, mesenteric metastasis and early Crohn’s disease.
- Which of the following are correct about Carcinoid of the appendix and small bowel: (T/F)
(a) 40-50 arise in the appendix.
(b) The incidence of metastatic disease is directly related to primary tumour size.
(c) Small-bowel carcinoids are multiple in 30-40% of patients.
(d) A spiculated mesenteric mass on CT is incompatible with Carcinoid.
(e) 111-labelled MIBG uptake is specific for carcinoid.
Answers:
(a) Correct
(b) Correct
(c) Correct
(d) Not correct
(e) Not correct
Explanation:
Carcinoid tumours of the gastrointestinal tract are small and often difficult to detect on routine CT scans. On CT, a carcinoid tumour appears stellate, spiculated, mesenteric mass containing calcification in the 70% of the cases. Indium labelled MIBG scan can be used for the detection of several neuroendocrine tumours like pheochromocytoma, neuroblastoma and carcinoid tumours. Octreotide is a somatostatin analogue that can also be useful for diagnosing carcinoid tumours.
- In Whipple’s disease, which of the following are correct? (T/F)
(a) Females are more commonly affected.
(b) Sacroiliitis is a feature.
(c) Ulceration is a common finding on barium studies.
(d) Small bowel dilatation is a typical finding.
(e) Involved lymph nodes are hypodense on CT.
Answers:
(a) Not correct
(b) Correct
(c) Not correct
(d) Not correct
(e) Correct
Explanation:
Males are commonly affected (9:1 = M:F).
There is absence of bowel dilatation, no ulceration and thickening of duodenum and jejunum folds due infiltration by macrophages.
- Features of pseudomembranous colitis include:
(a) An acute infective colitis due to Chostridium perfringens toxin.
(b) Most commonly affects the transverse colon.
(c) Bowel wall thickening is the commonest appearance on non-contrast CT images.
(d) ‘Thumbprinting’ is seen on the plain abdominal radiograph.
(e) Ascites is a recongnised feature.
Answers:
(a) Not correct
(b) Not correct
(c) Correct
(d) Correct
(e) Correct
Explanation:
Pseudomembranous colitis is caused by Clostridium difficile toxin. It most commonly affects the rectum. Ascites is a recognised feature in severe cases.
- Regarding ischaemic colitis:
(a) Griffith point is the most commonly affected segment.
(b) The right colon is involved in 30% of cases.
(c) Usually occurs in the first decade of life.
(d) Barium enema is usually only abnormal in 50-60% of cases.
(e) Portal vein gas is of little clinical significance.
Answers:
(a) Correct
(b) Correct
(c) Not correct
(d) Not correct
(e) Not correct
Explanation:
Ischaemic colitis is usually seen in patients >50 years of age. Barium enema is abnormal in 90% of the cases showing features of bowel wall thickening, loss of haustrations and thumbprinting. Evidence of portal vein gas is seen in very rae cases and is a preterminal sign.
- Regarding diverticular disease:
(a) Colonic diverticulosis affects 70-80% by 80 years of age.
(b) Rectosigmoid colon is most commonly affected.
(c) 10-25% of individuals with colonic diverticular disease develop diverticulitis.
(d) Fistula formation occurs in 40-50% of cases complicating acute diverticulitis.
(e) Moderate diverticulitis is present when the bowel wall is thickened >3mm.
Answers:
(a) Correct
(b) Correct
(c) Correct
(d) Not correct
(e) Correct
Explanation:
Fistula formation is seen in 15% of the cases of complicated acute diverticulitis.
- Which of the following are correct about Crohn’s disease:
(a) There is an increased risk of malignancy.
(b) Pseudo-diverticula are typically found on the antimesenteric side of the bowel.
(c) Mural stratification on CT indicates active disease.
(d) Colonic involvement is usually accompanied by small bowel disease.
(e) Apthous ulcers are an early finding.
Answers:
(a) Correct
(b) Correct
(c) Correct
(d) Correct
(e) Correct
Explanation:
The comb sign in crohn’s disease depicts the pericolic and perienteric fat stranding due to increased mesenteric vasculature. Disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to the anus however small intestine is most frequently involved particularly the terminal ileum.
- In the imaging of acute colitis, which of the following are correct?
(a) Paucity of pericolonic inflammation is more suggestive of pseudomembranous colitis than ulcerative colitis.
(b) Toxic megacolon is not a feature of pseudomembranous colitis.
(c) In pseudomembranous colitis, the most common site involved is the rectosigmoid.
(d) Portal venous gas is a more specific sign of ischaemic colitis than pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis.
(e) Neutropenic colitis (typhlitic colitis) most commonly affects the descending and sigmoid colon.
Answers:
(a) Correct
(b) Not correct
(c) Not correct
(d) Correct
(e) Not correct
Explanation:
CT features of pseudomembranous colitis are non-specific and include mural thickening with bowel dilatation. There is pancolitis & right-sided colitis. The rectosigmoid is spared in 67% of the cases and ascites is not uncommon. Complications include toxic megacolon on operation and peritonitis. Typhlitis is seen in neutropenia patients and usually presents as non-specific thickening of caecum and ascending colon due to necrosis.
- Regarding hepatocellular carcinoma: (T/F)
(a) Haemochromatosis is a recognised cause.
(b) It is the commonest primary visceral malignancy in the world.
(c) Elevated alpha-fetoprotein is found in 50-60% of cases.
(d) Has a higher incidence in macronodular than micronodular cirrhosis.
(e) On MR, hepatoma has a well defined, hypointense capsule on T1 weighted images.
Answers:
(a) Correct
(b) Correct
(c) Not correct
(d) Correct
(e) Not correct
Explanation:
Causes of hepato-cellular carcinoma are haemochromatosis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, Wilson’s disease, alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency. Elevated alpha feto-protein levels are found in 50-60% cases of hepato-cellular carcinoma. On MRI, hepatoma shows increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images with peripheral gadolinium enhancement in 20% of the cases.