PAEDS - GI/LIVER Flashcards
MALABSORPTION
What is malabsorption?
- Disorders affecting digestion or absorption of nutrients
MALABSORPTION
How does it present?
It manifests as:
– Abnormal stools (difficult to flush, offensive odour)
– Failure to thrive or poor growth
– Nutrient deficiencies (Fe anaemia, B12 deficiency)
MALABSORPTION
What are some causes of malabsorption?
- Small intestine disease = coeliac
- Exocrine pancreas dysfunction = CF
- Cholestatic liver disease, biliary atresia
- Short bowel syndrome (NEC, bowel removal)
- Loss of terminal ileum function (resection, Crohn’s, absent bile acid)
IBD
What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
- Umbrella term for Crohn’s disease + ulcerative colitis
- Relapsing-remitting conditions involving inflammation of walls in the GI tract
- Result of environmental triggers in a genetically predisposed individual
IBD
Where does Crohn’s disease tend to affect?
- Mouth>anus,
- spares rectum,
- favours terminal ileum
IBD
Which layer of the GI tract is affected by Crohn’s disease?
It is transmural - it affects all the layers
IBD
Is the inflammation in Crohn’s disease continuous?
No - there are skip lesions
IBD
Are granulomas found in Crohn’s disease?
Yes - it is granulomatous
IBD
What is the effect of smoking on Crohn’s disease?
It is a risk factor
IBD
Are goblet cells present in Crohn’s disease?
Yes
IBD
What is the histology of Crohn’s disease?
Non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomata
Transmural inflammation
Goblet cells
Granulomas
IBD
Where is affected by ulcerative colitis?
Colon only (never further than ileocaecal valve), starts at rectum
IBD
Which layer of the GI tract is affected by ulcerative colitis?
Only the mucosa
IBD
Is the inflammation in ulcerative colitis continuous?
Yes - the whole colon is affected
IBD
Is granulomatous inflammation found in ulcerative colitis?
No
IBD
What is the effect of smoking on ulcerative colitis?
It is protective
IBD
Are goblet cells present in ulcerative colitis?
There is depletion of goblet cells
IBD
what is the histology of ulcerative colitis?
- Increased crypt abscesses,
- pseudopolyps,
- ulcers
IBD
What is the clinical presentation of Crohn’s disease?
- Abdominal pain (RLQ), diarrhoea (often non-bloody) + weight loss
- Failure to thrive
IBD
What is the clinical presentation of Ulcerative colitis?
- PR bleeding (+ mucus), diarrhoea + colicky pain (LLQ)
- Tenesmus and urgency too
IBD
What extra-intestinal features are seen in…
i) Crohn’s disease?
ii) Ulcerative colitis?
iii) Both?
i) Perianal disease = skin tags, anal fissures, abscesses + fistulas, strictures, obstruction
ii) primary sclerosing cholangitis
iii) Arthritis, erythema nodosum, pyoderma gangrenosum, uveitis + episcleritis, finger clubbing
IBD
What are some initial investigations for IBD?
- FBC (microcytic anaemia, raised WCC + platelets)
- U+Es
- Low albumin (malabsorb)
- Raised ESR/CRP
- Stool MC&S
- Faecal calprotectin released by intestines when inflamed (useful screening)
IBD
What test is diagnostic for IBD?
What would it show?
What other investigation might you do?
- Colonoscopy with biopsy (histology)
- Crohn’s = small bowel narrowing, fissuring or thickened bowel wall, cobblestone appearance
- UC = visible ulcers
- Further imaging (USS, CT or MRI) to look at complications of Crohn’s
IBD
How do you treat flares of crohns disease?
PO prednisolone or IV hydrocortisone
IBD
How do you induce remission in crohns disease?
1st line = steroids (e.g. oral prednisolone or IV hydrocortisone).
If steroids alone don’t work, consider adding immunosuppressant medication under specialist guidance:
Azathioprine
Mercaptopurine
Methotrexate
Infliximab
Adalimumab
IBD
How do you maintain remission in crohns disease?
1st line = Azathioprine or Mercaptopurine
Alternatives:
Methotrexate
Infliximab
Adalimumab
IBD
What is the surgical management of Crohn’s disease?
- Surgical resection of distal ileum if only affected area
- Treat strictures + fistulas secondary to Crohn’s
IBD
How do you induce remission in Ulcerative colitis?
Mild to moderate disease
- 1st line = aminosalicylate (e.g. mesalazine oral or rectal)
- 2nd line = corticosteroids (e.g. prednisolone)
Severe disease
- 1st line = IV corticosteroids (e.g. hydrocortisone)
- 2nd line = IV ciclosporin
IBD
How do you maintain remission in Ulcerative colitis?
What should be cautioned?
- PO/PR mesalazine, azathioprine or mercaptopurine
- Mesalazine can cause acute pancreatitis
IBD
What is the surgical management of Ulcerative colitis?
- Panproctocolectomy = curative as removes disease
- Pt left with permanent ileostomy or ileo-anal anastomosis (J-pouch) where ileum folded back on itself + fashioned into large pouch that functions as a rectum as it attaches to anus
COELIAC DISEASE
What is coeliac disease?
- Gluten-sensitive enteropathy
COELIAC DISEASE
What is the pathophysiology?
Autoimmune response to alpha-gliadin portion of protein gluten causes inflammation in small intestine (particularly jejunum)
COELIAC DISEASE
What is the consequence of the autoimmune response in coeliac disease?
- Autoantibodies in response to gluten exposure target epithelial cells of intestine > inflammation + atrophy of the intestinal villi > malabsorption of nutrients
COELIAC DISEASE
What is the aetiology of coeliac disease?
- Genetics = HLA-DQ2 + HLA-DQ8
COELIAC DISEASE
What conditions is coeliac disease associated with?
- T1DM,
- thyroid,
- Down’s syndrome,
- FHx = test for it
COELIAC DISEASE
What is the clinical presentation of coeliac disease?
- Abnormal stools (smelly, diarrhoea, floating)
- Abdo pain, distension + buttock wasting
- Failure to thrive, weight loss, fatigue
- Dermatitis herpetiformis = itchy blistering skin rash, often on abdo
- Nutrient deficiencies (B12, folate, Fe)
COELIAC DISEASE
What are the investigations for coeliac disease?
- Pt must be on gluten-containing diet to be accurate
- Raised antibodies (IgA), useful to monitor disease too – anti-tissue transglutaminase (TTG = first choice), anti-endomysial
- Endoscopic small intestinal biopsy = gold standard
COELIAC DISEASE
What are the characteristic features seen on small intestinal biopsy?
- Villous atrophy
- Crypt hyperplasia
- Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes
COELIAC DISEASE
What are some complications of coeliac disease?
- Anaemias
- Osteoporosis
- Lymphoma (EATL)
- Hyposplenism
- Lactose intolerance
COELIAC DISEASE
What is the management of coeliac disease?
- Lifelong gluten free diet = curative, supervised by dietician
- May have gluten challenge later in life if Dx at <2y to ensure still intolerant
- PCV vaccine with booster every 5y due to hyposplenism
HIRSCHSPRUNG’S DISEASE
What is Hirschsprung’s disease?
- Absence of ganglionic cells from myenteric (Auerbach’s) plexus of large bowel resulting in narrow, contracted section of bowel > large bowel obstruction
HIRSCHSPRUNG’S DISEASE
Where is most affected by Hirschsprung’s disease?
What is it associated with
- 75% confined to rectosigmoid
- Commonly ileum moves into the caecum via the ileocaecal valve
- M»F, Down’s syndrome
HIRSCHSPRUNG’S DISEASE
What is the clinical presentation of Hirschsprung’s disease?
- Failure or delay to pass meconium within 24h
- Abdo pain, distension + later bile (green) stained vomit = obstruction
- Chronic constipation + failure to thrive
HIRSCHSPRUNG’S DISEASE
What are some investigations for Hirschsprung’s disease?
- PR exam = narrow segment + withdrawal causes flow of liquid stool + flatus
- AXR with barium contrast = dilated loops of bowel with fluid level
- Suction rectal biopsy = DIAGNOSTIC showing absence of ganglionic cells
HIRSCHSPRUNG’S DISEASE
What is a complication of Hirschsprung’s disease?
- Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) = inflammation + obstruction of intestine, sometimes due to C. difficile
HIRSCHSPRUNG’S DISEASE
How does hirschsprung associated enterocolitis (HAEC) present?
- 2-4w after birth = fever, abdo distension, diarrhoea (bloody) + signs of sepsis
HIRSCHSPRUNG’S DISEASE
What is a complication of Hirschsprung associated enterocolitis (HAEC)?
Toxic megacolon + perforation = life-threatening
HIRSCHSPRUNG’S DISEASE
How is Hirschsprung associated enterocolitis (HAEC) managed?
Urgent Abx, fluid resus + decompression of obstructed bowel
HIRSCHSPRUNG’S DISEASE
What is the management of Hirschsprung’s disease?
- Bowel irrigation as initial management so meconium can pass
- Surgical resection of aganglionic section of bowel = anorectal pullthrough (anastomosing innervated bowel>anus)
PYLORIC STENOSIS
What is pyloric stenosis?
What is the epidemiology?
- Hypertrophy of the pyloric (circular) muscle causing gastric outlet obstruction
- Presents 2–7w, M>F 4:1, particularly first-borns
PYLORIC STENOSIS
What is the clinical presentation of pyloric stenosis?
- Projectile vomiting (no bile) due to powerful peristalsis AFTER feeds
- Hunger after vomiting until dehydration > loss of interest
- Failure to thrive
- Palpable abdominal ‘olive’ mass in RUQ (hypertrophic muscle of pylorus)
PYLORIC STENOSIS
What are some investigations for pyloric stenosis?
- Test feed = visible gastric peristalsis
- Hyponatraemic, hypokalaemic + hypochloraemic metabolic acidosis
- USS = Dx, visualises thickened pylorus
PYLORIC STENOSIS
What is the management of pyloric stenosis?
- Correct fluid + electrolyte disturbances (0.45% saline, 5% dextrose + K+ supplements) before any surgery
- Laparoscopic Ramstedt’s pyloromyotomy
PYLORIC STENOSIS
What is Ramstedt’s pyloromyotomy?
What is the after care?
- Incision into smooth muscle of pylorus to widen canal
- Can feed 6h after
ABDOMINAL PAIN
What are some causes of acute abdominal pain?
- Surgical = appendicitis, intussusception, Meckel’s, malrotation, mesenteric adenitis
- Boys = exclude testicular torsion + strangulated inguinal hernia
- Medical = UTI, DKA, HSP, lower lobe pneumonia
ABDOMINAL PAIN
What is recurrent abdominal pain?
- Recurrent pain sufficient to interrupt normal activities + lasting ≥3m
- Often functional abnormalities of gut motility or enteral neurones = IBS, abdominal migraine or functional dyspepsia
ABDOMINAL PAIN
What are some causes of recurrent abdominal pain?
- No structural cause in >90%
- GI = IBS, abdominal migraine, coeliac
- Gynae = ovarian cysts, PID, Mittelschmerz (ovulation pain)
- Hepatobiliary = hepatitis, gallstones, UTI
- Psychosocial = bullying, abuse, stress
ABDOMINAL PAIN
What are some red flags in recurrent abdominal pain for organic disease?
- Epigastric pain at night, haematemesis = duodenal ulcer
- Vomiting = pancreatitis
- Jaundice = liver disease
- Dysuria, secondary enuresis = UTI
- Bilious vomiting + abdo distension = malrotation
ABDOMINAL PAIN
What are some investigations for abdominal pain?
- Guided by clinical features, urine MC&S essential
- Endoscopy if dyspeptic
- Colonoscopy if any PR bleeding
ABDOMINAL PAIN
How can abdominal pain be managed?
- Encourage parents to not ask about or focus on pain
- Distract child with other interests + activities
- Advice about sleep, regular balanced meals, exercise etc
APPENDICITIS
What is appendicitis?
- Commonest cause of surgical abdominal pain, very uncommon in <3y
APPENDICITIS
What is the pathophysiology of appendicitis?
- Obstruction of the appendix lumen (faecolith) causing inflammation + infection of the appendix wall
- This makes it liable to perforation which can be rapid as omentum less developed so fails to surround the appendix + then peritonitis
APPENDICITIS
What are the symptoms of appendicitis?
- Classic central, colicky abdominal pain which localises to RIF from localised peritoneal inflammation
- Anorexia
- Minimal vomiting
APPENDICITIS
What are the signs of appendicitis?
- Low grade fever
- Abdominal pain aggravated by movement
- RIF tenderness + guarding (McBurney’s point)
- Rebound + percussion tenderness (precipitated by cough, jump)
- Rovsing’s sign = LIF pressure causes RIF pain
APPENDICITIS
What are some investigations for appendicitis?
- FBC (raised WCC), CRP raised
- Faecoliths can be see in AXR
- USS to exclude gynae pathology
- Gold standard = CT abdomen esp if uncertain
- -ve tests but clinical suspicion = diagnostic laparoscopy
APPENDICITIS
What is the management of appendicitis?
- ?Perforation = fluid resus + prophylactic IV Abx before surgery
- Appendicectomy (often diagnostic laparoscopy, may be delayed if stable)
INTUSSUSCEPTION
What is intussusception and where does it most commonly affect?
- Bowel telescopes (invaginates) into itself (proximal bowel into distal segment)
- Commonly ileocaecal valve (ileum>caecum)
INTUSSUSCEPTION
What is the epidemiology?
- Most common cause of intestinal obstruction in infants 2m–2y, M>F
INTUSSUSCEPTION
What are some symptoms of intussusception?
- Severe paroxysmal abdominal colic pain + food refusal
- Child becomes pale + draws up legs during episodes of pain (colic), screaming
- Vomiting (bilious), abdominal distension + shock
INTUSSUSCEPTION
What are some signs of intussusception?
- RUQ ‘sausaged-shaped’ mass
- Redcurrant jelly stool as blood + mucus in stool
INTUSSUSCEPTION
What are the investigations for intussusception?
- USS #1 choice, shows ‘target sign’
- AXR shows distended small bowel + no gas distally in large bowel
INTUSSUSCEPTION
What is the management of intussusception?
- Aggressive IV fluid resus
- Reduction via air enema (air insufflation) by radiologist (risk of perf)
- Caution as risk of gangrenous bowel + perf so laparotomy if air enema fails
MECKEL’S DIVERTICULUM
What is Meckel’s diverticulum?
- Ileal remnant of the vitello-intestinal duct which contains ectopic gastric mucosa or pancreatic tissue
MECKEL’S DIVERTICULUM
What are some features of Meckel’s diverticulum?
Rule of 2s –
- 2% population
- 2 feet from ileocaecal valve
- 2 inches
- 2 types of tissue
- 2y/o
MECKEL’S DIVERTICULUM
What is the clinical presentation of Meckel’s diverticulum?
- Severe, painless, dark red PR bleeding
- May present with intussusception, volvulus or diverticulitis (mimics appendicitis)
MECKEL’S DIVERTICULUM
What are the investigations for Meckel’s diverticulum?
- Technetium scan will demonstrate increased uptake by ectopic gastric mucosa
MECKEL’S DIVERTICULUM
What is the management of Meckel’s diverticulum?
Surgical resection, may need transfusion if severe haemorrhage
IBS
What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
- Associated with altered gastrointestinal motility + an abnormal sensation of intra-abdominal events
- Can be exacerbated by psychosocial factors like stress + anxiety
IBS
How does IBS present?
- Abdo pain often worse before or relieved by defecation
- Intermittent explosive, loose or mucous stools + constipations
- Bloating
- Feeling of incomplete defecation
IBS
How is IBS diagnosed?
- By exclusion (FBC, CRP/ESR, coeliac screen, faecal calprotectin + MC&S)
- Dietician involvement with possibility of excluding foods if they aggravate Sx
IBS
What is the management of IBS?
- Constipation = good water + fibre intake, physical activity, PRN laxatives
- Diarrhoea = avoid alcohol + caffeine, try bulking agent ± anti-motility such as loperamide after each loose stool
- Anti-spasmodic for pain like mebeverine or hyoscine butylbromide (Buscopan)
CONSTIPATION
What is constipation?
- Infrequent passage of dry, hardened faeces often accompanied by straining or pain, by definition <3 complete stools per week
CONSTIPATION
What is encopresis?
Involuntary soiling
CONSTIPATION
What are some features of constipation?
- Hard or like rabbit droppings (type 1)
- May have PR bleed if hard
- Waxing + waning of pain with stool passage
- Retentive posturing