Other Intestinal Diseases Flashcards
What is protein-losing enteropathy?
The term referring to intestinal conditions that lead to protein loss
What do protein-losing enteropathy conditions usually manifest with?
Hypoalbuminaemia
What is the most common abnormality of the GI tract?
Meckel’s diverticulum
Where is Meckel’s diverticulum usually located?
About 60cm from the ileocaecal valve
What complications can Meckel’s diverticulum cause?
About half contain gastric mucosa that secretes HCl, which can cause peptic ulcers which can bleed or perforate Acute inflammation (clinically indistinguishable from acute appendicitis) Obstruction from an associated band (rare)
What is management of Meckel’s diverticulum?
Surgical removal, often laparoscopically
What are the clinical features of TB affecting the intestines?
Abdominal pain Weight loss Anaemia Fever with night sweats Obstruction Right iliac fossa pain Palpable mass
Which area of the small intestine is most commonly affected by TB?
Ileocaecal area
What investigations are done to diagnose intestinal TB?
Small bowel follow through
US, MRI or CT
Histology and culture of tissue
How can systemic amyloidosis affect the GI tract?
Amyloid deposits can occur as polypoid lesions
What does intestinal ischaemia result from?
Occlusion of arterial flow, occlusion of venous outflow or failure of perfusion
What can cause arterial inflow obstruction?
Atheroma
Thrombosis
Embolism
Which patients tend to have venous outflow occlusion?
Sick patients with circulatory failure
What can cause intestinal infarction without occlusion?
Reduced cardiac output, hypotension and shock, all causing reduced intestinal blood flow
What is the most common cause of acute small intestinal ischaemia?
Embolus from the heart
