GIT Flashcards
- The following statements regarding acute pancreatitis are correct:
(a) Mumps is a recognised cause.
(b) Pancreatic necrosis demonstrated on CT is associated with a mortality of 5-10%.
(c) Pancreatic oedema is a late sign.
(d) Haemorrhagic pancreatitis is diagnosed by the presence of hypodense areas of 5-20 Hounsfield units on CT.
(e) Right-sided pleural effusion is seen in 5%.
Answers:
(a) Correct
(b) Not correct
(c) Not correct
(d) Not correct
(e) Not correct
Explanation:
Alcohol and gallstones on the commonest cause of acute pancreatitis.
Left-sided pleural effusion is seen commonly.
Pancreatic oedema is the earliest sign of acute pancreatitis.
Haemorrhagic pancreatitis is diagnosed by the presence of hyperdense areas.
- Regarding hepatocellular carcinoma:
(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.
- Regarding pancreatic islet cell tumours:
(a) Insulinoma is found predominantly in the pancreatic body and tail.
(b) Glucagonoma is the commonest functioning islet cell tumour.
(c) Glucagonoma is a hypervascular tumour.
(d) Glucagonoma undergoes malignant transformation in 5-10%.
(e) Multiple insulinomas are associated with MEN Type 1.
Answers:
(a) Not correct
(b) Not correct
(c) Correct
(d) Not correct
(e) Correct
Explanation:
Insulinoma does not have any predilection for any part of the pancreas. The undergo malignant transformation in 5-
10% of the cases.
Glucagonoma is the second commonest functioning islet cell tumour. The hypervascular and undergoes malignant
transformation in 80% of the cases.
- The following statements regarding splenic lymphoma are correct:
(a) The spleen is involved at presentation in 30-40% of patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
(b) When there is lymphomatous involvement of the spleen, splenomegaly is seen in 70-80%.
(c) Focal splenic deposits are usually well defined, round lesions of increased brightness on ultrasound.
(d) Splenic lymphoma deposits commonly calcify.
(e) Lymph nodes are seen in the splenic hilum in 50% of patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Answers:
(a) Correct
(b) Not correct
(c) Not correct
(d) Correct
(e) Not correct
Explanation:
Splenic lymphoma shows focal deposits which are usually well defined and hypoechoic on ultrasound.
When there is lymphomatous involvement of the spleen, splenomegaly is seen in the percent of the cases. In patients
with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, lymph nodes are seen in the splenic hilum in 10-20% of the patients.
- Regarding Budd-Chiari syndrome:
(a) It can be caused by obstruction of the suprahepatic IVC.
(b) On early CT images, the central liver enhances prominently and the peripheral liver weakly.
(c) The caudate lobe is markedly atrophic.
(d) A ‘spider’s web’ appearance at hepatic venography characteristic.
(e) On MRI images ‘comma-shaped’ intrahepatic collateral vessels are seen.
Answers:
(a) Correct
(b) Correct
(c) Not correct
(d) Correct
(e) Correct
Explanation:
Caudate lobe is enlarged and hypertrophied in Budd chiari syndrome .
Flip-flop enhancement pattern is seen with central hepatic enhancement in the early phase and peripheral enhancement
in the late phase.
Thrombosis in hepatic veins is more common cause than obstruction of the suprahepatic IVC.
- The following statements concerning oesophageal carcinoma are correct:
(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 Meckel’s diverticulum are correct:
(a) Is present is 2-3% of the population.
(b) Identification of Vitelline artery is pathognomonic.
(c) Located in the mesenteric border of the ileum.
(d) In children, small bowel enema is the best investigation to identify it.
(e) Can present as intussusception in children
Answers:
(a) Correct
(b) Correct
(c) Not correct
(d) Not correct
(e) Correct
Explanation:
Meckel’s diverticulum located at the antimesenteric border of the ileum.
Best investigation diagnosed Meckel’s diverticulum in children is a radionuclide technetium 99 pertechnetate scan.
- 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.
- Features more in keeping with jejunum than ileum include:
(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 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.
- Regarding Peutz-Jeghers syndrome:
(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 and benign.
- Regarding Carcinoid tumour:
(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.
- The following statements regarding Achalasia are correct:
(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:
(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 peritoneal spaces:
(a) The right subhepatic space communicates with the lesser sac.
(b) The left subphrenic space is separated from the right subphrenic space by the falciform ligament.
(c) The bare area of the liver is located between reflections of the right and left coronary ligaments.
(d) The splenorenal ligament separates the left subphrenic space from the left paracolic gutter.
(e) The gastrocolic ligament connects the lesser curve of the stomach to the superior aspect of the transverse colon.
Answers:
(a) Correct
(b) Correct
(c) Correct
(d) Not correct
(e) Not correct
Explanation:
Phrenico-colic ligament separates the left subphrenic space from the left paracolic gutter since it attaches to the
descending colon to the left hemidiaphragm .
The gastrocolic ligament connects to the greater curvature of the stomach to the superior aspect of the transverse
colon.