Pulsenotes Flashcards
What is CPPD disease also known as?
Pseudogout
Aetiology of haemochromatosis
Recessive inheritance
Complications of haemochromatosis
Arthropathy (50% of patients). Either osteoarthritis-like, inflammatory or pseudogout
Diabetes
Hypopituitarism, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism
Cardiomyopathy
Likely diagnosis in a previously fit and well young adult who has developed malaise and erythema multiforme
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Most common cause of community acquired pneumonia
Strep pneumoniae
What patients need follow-up after pneumonia?
Smokers over 50 offered a CXR 6 weeks later, as there is a high incidence of lung cancer in these patients
What is G6PD deficiency?
G6PD deficiency is an x-linked recessive inherited haemolytic anaemia, which can cause red cell lysis when erythrocytes are put under oxidative stress
Risk factors for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Children under 10 (most common in 2-4 yrs)
Post viral infection
Symptoms of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Increased risk of bleeding (petechiae, purpura, GI bleeding, menorrhagia, retinal haemorrhage, epistaxis) In children, there is usually an abrupt onset and it is self limiting compared to a gradual onset and chronicity seen in adults.
Treatment for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
control of any bleeding complications and corticosteroid therapy
In severe cases, immunosuppressive drugs and platelet transfusions
Is Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma more common?
Non-Hodgkin
What defines Hodgkin lymphoma?
presence of Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells (HRS cells)
Lymphoma symptoms
Lymphadenopathy: Typically painless, firm, enlarged lymph nodes, most commonly found in the neck.
Fever, night sweats and weight loss, fatigue, malaise
Mediastinal mass: May be incidental finding on chest imaging or present with shortness of breath, cough, pain or superior vena cava obstruction.
Pruritis
Hepatosplenomegaly
In extra-nodal disease there may be other symptoms such as CNS, skin or GI symtpoms
Lymphoma diagnosis
Excisional biopsy
Management of Hodgkin lymphoma
Chemo and radiotherapy
Hodgkin lymphoma prognosis
Good
HHS symptoms
Polydipsia and polyuria Headache Nausea and vomiting Abdo pain Cramps Late features - confusion, seizures, coma
Mainstay of treatment in HHS
Fluids
Monitor glucose and electrolytes and consider insulin
Complications of HHS
Thrombosis (need prophylaxis) Seizures Coma Electrolyte derangement Cerebral oedema due to fluid resuscitation
What cancers are most at risk for tumour lysis syndrome?
Haematological malignancy
What are the main molecules released in tumour lysis syndrome?
Phosphate, nucleic acid, calcium
Symptoms of tumour lysis syndrome
Nausea and vomiting, lethargy, weakness, spasms or arrhythmias within a few days of starting chemo or radiotherapy
Blood tests results in tumour lysis syndrome
Hyperphosphatemia
Hyperkalaemia
Hyperuricaemia
Hypocalcaemia
Diagnosis of tumour lysis syndrome
Laboratory diagnosis (hyperphosphatemia, hyperkalaemia, hyperuricaemia, hypocalcaemia) plus clinical diagnosis (raised creatinine, arrhythmias, seizures)
Prevention of tumour lysis syndrome
Risk stratification and giving IV fluids (and maybe uric acid lowering agents e.g. allopurinol or raspuricase) to high risk patients
Management of tumour lysis syndrome
Correction of electrolytes (calcium gluconate, insulin and dextrose, phosphate binders, uric acid lowering agents e.g. allopurinol or raspuricase, IV hydration)
May need dialysis
Where should patients with acute liver failure be managed?
Transplant centre / ITU
Management of acute liver failure
Intensive monitoring and supportive management
Liver transplant if eligible
When is the Rockall score used?
GI bleeding (after endoscopy to assess risk of death and re-bleeding)
Components of Rockall score
Age, BP & HR, Comorbidities, Diagnosis on endoscopy, Endoscopic findings
Management of testicular torsion
testicular exploration +/- bilateral orchidopexy +/- orchidectomy
Blood tests results in beta-thalassaemia
Microcytic anaemia
Iron studies normal (differentiates it from iron-deficiency anaemia)
Elevated HbA2 as it doesn’t have the HbB to bind to
Symptoms of one allele for beta-thalassaemia
Termed beta-thalassaemia minor / trait
Usually have mild, often asymptomatic anaemia
Cause of raised reticulocytes
Rapid blood loss (as body is making more)
Cause of lowered reticulocytes
Iron deficiency anaemia
Total iron binding capacity in iron deficiency anaemia
High
Serum ferritin in iron deficiency anaemia
Low
Gold standard for diagnosis of iron deficiency anaemia
Low serum ferritin
What type of anaemia is anaemia of chronic disease?
Normocytic (75%) or microcytic (25%)
Total iron binding capacity in anaemia of chronic disease
Low
Serum ferritin in anaemia of chronic disease
Normal / raised (as it’s an acute phase reactant)
Symptoms of beta-thalassaemia
Hepatomegaly
Splenomegaly
Skeletal abnormalities
Symptoms of iron overload form repeated transfusions (hypogonadism, growth failure, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism)
Key diagnostic test in beta-thallasaemia
Haemoglobin electrophoresis
Management of beta-thallasaemia
Blood transfusions
Causes of neutopaenia
Congenital Infection e.g. HIV / TB Cancer Drugs e.g. chemo / carbimazole Autoimmune
Most common type of lung cancer
Adenocarcinoma
CURB-65 score
Confusion Urea >7 Resp rate >30 BP <90 Age >65
What referral is necessary to consider in iron deficiency anaemia?
Upper and lower endoscopy via urgent suspected cancer pathway
Males and post-menopausal women
What part of the lungs is adenocarcinoma usually seen?
Peripheries
What part of the lungs is squamous cell lung cancer usually seen?
Centrally
Prognosis in small cell lung cancer
Very poor
What is a pancoast tumour?
Tumour of the lung apex
Definition of multiple endocrine neoplasia
Development of many endocrine tumours
Aetiology of multiple endocrine neoplasia
Autosomal dominant
What is multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)?
Mutation of MEN1 gene causes tumours of parathyroid, pancreas and pituitary. May also be angiofibromas
What is an angiofibroma?
Small cutaneous tumours that are dome shaped and skin coloured
Symptoms of multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 (MEN1)
Pituitary tumours - headache, visual disturbance, Cushings, acromegaly, prolactinoma (low libido, galactorrhoea, menstrual irregularity)
Parathyroid hyperplasia - hypercalcaemia (bone pain, renal stones, abdo pain, polyuria, psych issues)
Pancreatic tumours - insulinoma (hypoglycaemia), gastrinoma (peptic ulcer disease)
What is multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)?
Mutation of RET gene causes thyroid cancer and pheochromocytoma
Symptoms of multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 (MEN2)
Medullary thyroid cancer - thyroid often removed as prophylaxis
Parathyroid hyperplasia - hypercalcaemia (bone pain, renal stones, abdo pain, polyuria, psych issues)
Pheochromocytoma - flushing, tachycardia, palpitations
Diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)
Blood tests for increased levels of the hormones involved (e.g. PTH, prolactin, pancreatic polypeptide, gastrin, calcitonin, catecholamines)
Imaging for where tumour is suspected
Genetic testing
Screening for multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 (MEN1)
Annual health check looking for tumours in first and second degree relatives
Screening for multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 (MEN2)
Health check in relatives looking for tumours
Management of multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 (MEN1)
Parathyroid hyperplasia - surgical resection
Pituitary adenoma - surgical resection or medical management
Pancreatic tumours - more difficult to treat, either excision or medications (e.g. PPIs in gastrinoma)
Management of multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 (MEN2)
Parathyroid hyperplasia - surgical resection
Pheochromocytoma - adrenalectomy
Medullary thyroid cancer - prophylactic resection
Grading system in acute limb ischaemia
Rutherford
Polymyalgia rheumatica symptoms
The hallmark is symmetrical muscle aching and stiffness, worse in the morning, that affects the shoulders, hips, neck and torso
May also have systemic features e.g. low fever, fatigue, weight loss, low mood
Signs of polymyalgia rheumatica on examination
Reduced range of movement: shoulder, cervical spine, and hips
Synovitis and swelling
Normal power, though pain may make this difficult
Diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica
The diagnosis of PMR is based on identifying typical clinical features and assessing response to corticosteroids (rapid resolution within 1 week)
Treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica
Low dose steroids. Normally dose tapered off after a few weeks but in some patients it is tapered more slowly
Tests needed before starting amiodarone
CXR, U&Es, TFTs, LFTs
CLL symptoms
Painless enlarged lymph nodes
Constitutional symptoms e.g. weight loss, fever, anorexia, night sweats, lethargy
May have hepatomegaly or splenomegaly
Diagnostic test in CLL
Raised lymphocytes on FBC
What is Binet staging used for and what staging system is used?
CLL
Stage A: <3 lymphoid sites
Stage B: ≥3 lymphoid sites
Stage C: presence of anaemia and/or thrombocytopaenia
Management of CLL
Watch and wait with supportive care e.g. flu vaccine and treating infections
Chemotherapy (chemo, biologics, monoclonal antibodies, steroids)
Stem cell transplant
CLL complications
Transformation to more aggressive lymphoma or leukaemia
Infections
Autoimmune conditions
Increased risk of haematological or other cancers
CLL prognosis
Good
What is Bell’s palsy?
Bell’s palsy is rapid onset (< 72 hours) unilateral facial weakness of unknown cause
Does Bell’s palsy affect the forehead?
Yes (a way to differentiate it from stroke)
Bell’s palsy prognosis
The majority of patients with Bell’s palsy will make a full recovery within four months.
Bell’s palsy management
Mostly reassurance and advice on supportive care e.g. eye care
Prednisolone if presenting within 72 hours of symptom onset
Inheritance of Lynch Syndrome
Autosomal dominant
Haemorrhoids treatment
Treatment is commonly conservative. It aims to prevent or reduce constipation and symptoms. Symptomatic relief involves simple analgesics and topical anaesthetics.
Refractory disease may require treatment with rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, diathermy and haemorrhoidectomy.
What is multiple myeloma?
A malignant disorder of plasma cells which will secrete monoclonal antibodies
Symptoms of multiple myeloma
Constitutional features e.g. weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, anorexia
Bone disease (typically lytic lesions that can lead to fractures)
Renal impairment
Anaemia
Hypercalcaemia
Recurrent infections
What cancer is hyperviscosity syndrome particularly associated with?
Multiple myeloma
Symptoms of hyperviscosity syndrome
Blurred vision, headaches, mucosal bleeding and dyspnoea
Treatment of hyperviscosity syndrome
Urgent plasma exchange
Tests to diagnose multiple myeloma
Protein electrophoresis to look for monoclonal antibodies
Immunofixation may be used to look for monoclonal antibodies
May do urine electrophoresis to look for Bence-Jones protein (free light chains in the urine)
May do bone marrow biopsy
Treatment principles in multiple myeloma
The four key areas of management include: induction therapy (chemotherapy and steroid), autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), maintenance therapy (chemotherapy) and managing relapse or refractory disease.
Prognosis in multiple myeloma
Variable but usually poor
Beta-2 microglobulin is often used as a prognostic tool
Most patients will have a period of remission then relapse
Acute pulmonary oedema management
furosemide 40mg IV
high-flow Oxygen
nitrates (Sublingual / infusion)
diamorphine IV
Non-massive vs sub-massive PE
Non-massive: haemodynamically stable and no evidence of right heart strain
Sub-massive: haemodynamically stable, but evidence of right heart strain on imaging (e.g. CT, ECHO) or biochemistry (e.g. elevated troponin)
Treatment in minimal change disease
Steroids first line
Other immunosuppressants may be used in adults with recurrent disease
ACE inhibitors / ARBs to manage HTN and diuretics to manage oedema
Most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults
Membranous glomerulonephropathy
First line in focal epliepsy
Carbamazepine
Staging sarcoidosis
Stage 0: Normal CXR
Stage I: Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy
Stage II: Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and infiltrates
Stage III: Infiltrates alone
Stage IV: Pulmonary fibrosis (volume loss predominantly in the upper zones)
What is sarcoidosis?
Sarcoidosis is a rare multisystem granulomatous inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology
Age of onset of sarcoidosis
20-40
Symptoms of sarcoidosis
Asymptomatic
Lungs most commonly involved: will have signs of fibrosis e.g. fine crackles, restrictive spirometry, exertional breathlessness, may have right heart strain
Eyes may be affected: uveitis
Skin may be affected: papules / erythema nodosum
Other manifestations e.g. renal disease or hypercalcaemia
Management of sarcoidosis
Often no management needed
If severe, may have steroids (high dose then tapered to low dose) or other immunosuppressants if steroids not tolerated
Lung transplant if very severe
Prognosis in sarcoidosis
Good prognosis and it often regresses spontaneously
Pulmonary disease may increase mortality
CXR findings in sarcoidosis
Bilateral hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy
Reticulonodular / airspace opacities
Pulmonary fibrosis
Normal in 20%
Most common causes of hypercalcaemia
Malignancy or hyperparathyroidism
Pathophysiology of malignant hypercalcaemia
Parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) secretion from tumours
Osteolytic lesions (release calcium)
Secretion of activated vitamin D (rarer)
Medications that can be used to manage hypercalcaemia
Bisphosphonates
Calcitonin
Most common organism in acute otitis media
Strep pneumoniae
What is eosinophilic oesophagitis?
Eosinophilic oesophagitis is a chronic immune-mediated disease, characterised by eosinophil-predominant inflammation of the oesophagus
Risk factors for eosinophilic oesophagitis
Male
30s-40s
Other allergic conditions such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, food or environmental allergies
Symptoms of eosinophilic oesophagitis
Dysphagia (often slow eating needing lots of water to help swallow food)
May have heartburn / dyspepsia / chest pain
Diagnosis of eosinophilic oesophagitis
Endoscopy with biopsy to show raised eosinophils
Management of eosinophilic oesophagitis
Conservative: diet modification
Medical: PPI, steroids (either inhaled or a slurry to make it topical)
May need endoscopic surgery e.g. to treat strictures
Drug to treat spasticity
Baclofen
Definition of MS
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating neuroinflammatory condition, which affects the central nervous system (CNS). Focal areas of demyelination are known as plaques
Risk factors for MS
Women
Onset 20-40
Genetics
Environmental e.g. EBV infection
Commonly sites of lesions in MS
Optic nerves
Spinal cord
Brainstem
Cerebellum
Most common course of MS
Relapsing-remitting (90% of MS)
pattern in relapsing-remitting MS
Relapses of more severe symptoms followed by periods of full or partial recovery with few symptoms
Pattern in primary progressive MS
Sustained progression of disease severity from onset. May also have relapses
Pattern in secondary progressive MS
Starts as relapsing and remitting pattern then becomes a pattern with sustained progression
What is clinically isolated syndrome with respect to MS?
CIS describes the first clinical episode of suspected MS.
Symptoms of MS
Optic nerve involvement: visual symptoms e.g. vision loss / blurring or pain
Cerebellar lesions: ataxia, gait disturbance, cerebellar signs
Brainstem lesions: cranial nerve palsies
Spinal cord lesions: movement / sensory disorders
Others: pain, sexual dysfunction, bowel / bladder dysfunction, depression
Diagnosis of MS
2 or more bouts
2 or more locations (seen as plaques on MRI)
If diagnosis uncertain can look for oligoclonal bands in CSF
Management of MS
General: help with bladder or bowel dysfunction e.g. catheters for retention / meds for incontinence / laxitives, meds / CBT for depression, walking aids, meds for neuropathic pain, physio / meds for spasticity
Treatment of relapses: Steroids
Long term treatment: Biologics may be indicated as disease modifying therapy
Indication for punch biopsy
Biopsy in sensitive areas e.g. face to see if it needs excision
Diagnostic test of choice in BCC
Excisional biopsy
Definition of BCC
Slow growing locally invasive malignant skin tumour with very limited metastatic potential
Prognosis in BCC
Good
What does a classic BCC look like?
Telangiectasia (small blood vessels)
Ulceration
Rolled edges
Pearly edge
Definition of SCC
Malignant fast growing tumour of epidermis with metastatic potential. Typically occurs in sun exposed areas