Miscellaneous 1 Flashcards
What are the 4 main risks of IV contrast administration?
Anaphylaxis/allergy Renal impairment Lactic acidosis (secondary to metformin) Extravasation
What is the annual background radiation in Sieverts?
2.4mSV per year
What frequency would be used to look at deep structures in ultrasound?
Lower frequency
What is Duplex US?
Allows for velocity of a substance e.g. blood to be determined, assessing flow patters of blood within a vessel
Why is ultrasound not good at looking at bowel?
Waves don’t travel well through gas and become distorted resulting in significant artefact
What part of the adrenal is affected primarily in Addison’s disease?
Adrenal cortex - destruction via autoantibodies
4 causes of primary hypoadrenalism?
TB Bilateral adrenalectomy Metastatic Ca deposits WHFS (menigococcal sepsis)
What is the biochemical difference between primary and secondary hypoadrenalism? Why?
In secondary, e.g. due to long term steroids, aldosterone secretion is maintained and fluid/electrolyte disturbances less marked (aldosterone secreted in relation to RAS)
6 functions of glucocorticoid hormones?
Maintenance of immune system Stimulate gluconeogenesis Stimulate glycogenolysis Stimulate lipolysis Mobilise amino acids Inhibit glucose uptake by muscles
How would you manage adrenal insufficiency peri-operatively?
Pre-op assessment, do first on list Give usual AM medications and hydrocortisone IV at induction Depending on procedure and post-op recovery, double hydrocortisone dose for 24-48 hours before established back on usual oral medications Local hospital protocol
Management of Addisonian crisis?
ABCDE Correct hypoglycaemia IV Fluid resuscitation and correct electrolyte abnormalities Hydrocortisone 200mg stat then 100mg QDS Fludrocortisone 0.1mg OD Look for precipitants
Typical starting regime of steroids for primary adrenal insufficiency?
Hydrocortisone 20mg / 10mg per day Fludrocortisone 0.05-0.1mg OD
How is cardiopulmonary exercise testing performed?
Ramped protocol test using cycle ergometer, with cardiac monitoring attached and soft rubber facemask. Cycle for 3 mins unloaded then gradually increase load until symptomatic or after 10 minutes
What key piece of surgically relevant information does cardiopulmonary exercise give?
Anaerobic threhold, occuring at 47-64% of VO2Max - roughly equating to physiological reserve and risk of surgery
What is the relevance of VO2Max to surgical risk?
Over 20ml/kg/min = no increased risk 10-15ml/kg/min = increased risk Less than 10ml/kg/min = very high risk
How accurate is pulse oximetry to true HbSat level? When is it less reliable/not useful?
Accurate within 2%, however less at working out severity of hypoxia or in vasoconstriction or carbon monoxide poisoning. Also can’t provide information on alveolar hypoventilation
What 3 syndromes may phaeochromcytoma occur as part of?
NF1 VHL MEN2
Diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma is made by?
24 hour urine collection of catecholamine hormones and metabolites Plasma metanephrines
Imaging options for phaeochromoctyoma?
CT - contrast historically said to trigger crisis MRI I-MIG - radionucleotide scan to localise lesion and detect extra-adrenal lesions
Procedure of choice for phaeochromocytoma?
Laparosopic adrenalectomy
What is the biggest concern/operative risk for phaeochromcytoma surgery?
Hypertensive crisis - manage by ensuring alpha (phenoxybenzamine) then beta blockade
What is the order of blockade required in surgical management of phaeochromocytoma? What is used?
Alpha blockade first via phenoxybenzamine Then beta blockade
What BP changes can occur during phaeochromocytoma surgery? When?
Changes can occur during manipulation of gland (hypertensive) Hypotension may occur when adrenal veins secured
What forces govern the accumulation of fluid in the interstitium? What makes these up?
Starling’s Forces - capillary pressure, plasma colloid oncotic pressure vs interstitial fluid pressure and interstitial fluid osmotic pressure
What proportion of body fluid is interstitial?
1/6
What key part of plasma is not present in interstitial fluid? Why?
Protein - high molecular weight precludes filtration
How is excess interstitial fluid usually returned to vsacular system?
Lymphatics
4 factors favouring development of oedema (excess fluid in extracellular space)?
Increased hydrostatic pressure Hypoprotinaemia - low plasma oncotic pressure Venous/lymphatic obstruction Endothelial changes in capillary bed - acute inflammation or sepsis
Where is respiratory rhythm generated? What are these?
2 groups of neurones in medulla - dorsal inspiratory and ventral repiratory groups
Where do respiratory groups in medullar receive afferents from?
Cortex, pons, aortic and carotid bodies and lung (vagal nerve)
What is respiratory drive primarily influenced by? How?
PaCO2 CO2 generates hydrogen ions in CNS which stimulate central chemoreceptors - in periphery these are aortic and carotid bodies
How do catecholamine based inotropes work?
Beta adrenergic receptors to increase intracellular (myocyte) cAMP and mobilise calcium, or inhibit neuronal resorption of NA/Ad
What receptors do inotropes work on generally?
Beta 1 agonism directly on myocardium
When are inotropes best used?
Depresion of cardiac function to increase ouput and improve blood pressure, to in turn improve myocardial perfusion
How do vasoconstrictors/’pressors’ work? Receptors?
Alpha receptor agonism to act on peripheral tissues and cause constriction
Why are central lines required for inotropes?
Require MAP and CVP monitoring Direct entry to high flow system Reliable dosing
What is the difference in receptors between adrenaline and norad? How does this vary?
Adrenaline primarily beta 1 - cardiac, although is an alpha agonist at high doses Norad is alpha 1 agonist - pressor
How does dopamine work?
D1+2 receptor mediated renal and mesenteric vascular dilatation (and D2 - inhibits NA release) and beta 1 agonism at high doses to increase CO - good for cardiac issues and myocardial perfusion
How does dobutamine work?
Predominantly beta 1 agonism - weak beta 2 and alpha agonism
Phosphodiesterasae inhibitors - example and mechanism of action?
Milrinone Acts directly on cardiac phosphodiesterase to increase cardiac output
What effect do B2 agonism have?
Vasodilation
What does ABO incompatibility result in following transplant?
Early hyperacute organ rejection due to pre-existing antibodies
How does HLA matching impact on transplant outcomes? Which are most important clinically?
HLA A B C and DR are most important - greater number of mismatches the worse the outcome; T lymphocytes recognise antigens bound to HLA molecules, activate and then direct clonal response against the antigen
How long do fractures involving cancellous bone take to unite? How does this differ in cortical bone e.g. tibia, femur?
6 weeks Cortical takes 4-6 months (6 for femur)
Describe this image?
Displaced, comminuted fractured humerus with fracture callus surrounding site
What are the potential imaging modalities for suspected colorectal cancer? What is best?
Direct visualisation via colonoscopy is most sensitive and specific
Sigmoidoscopy
CT colonography
CT with faecal tagging
Barium enema
When would you perform an MRI for colorectal cancer?
If cancer below peritoneal reflection - MRI rectum