Investigations Flashcards
1
Q
What are urgent referral scenarios?
A
- > 40yo with unexplained abdominal pain and weight loss
- > 50yo with unexplained rectal bleeding
- > 60yo with changes in bowel habit
- > 60yo with unexplained iron deficiency anaemia
2
Q
How do you diagnose IBS?
A
- If classic history then FBC, ESR, CRP and coeliac serology
- If >60yrs or any marker or organic disease (blood PR. decreased weight) then colonoscopy
- Exclude ovarian cancer with serum Ca-125
- Consider endometriosis if pain is cyclical
- If IBS criteria not met consider stool culture, B12/folate, TSH and faecal calprotectin
3
Q
What are the investigations for IBD?
A
- Anaemia in IBD
- Barium AXR: crohn’s will have string sign and UC has lead pipe colon
- Stool culture
- FBC + CRP
- Anti-TTG (to rule out coeliac)
- Faecal calprotectin
4
Q
What are the reasons for doing a DRE?
A
- Suspected appendicitis
- PR bleed
- Change in bowel habits
- Part of abdominal examination
- Genitourinary problems
- Pelvic or spinal trauma