SURGERY Flashcards
What most commonly causes acute pancreatitis?
Gallstones - 50% of cases
Alcohol - 25% of cases
Investigations for diagnosing pancreatitis?
Serum amylase is usually >3 times the upper limit of normal. Serum lipase may be used if late presentation
Liver, renal function and CRP may be done
Pancreatitis can be diagnosed without imaging if characteristic pain and amylase/lipase is >3 times the normal limit
Early USS to assess aetiology as this can affect management. CT or MRI can be used.
Additional imaging e.g. MRCP or endoscopic US may be needed if underlying cause is not known
Scoring systems used to identify severe pancreatitis?
Ranson score
Glasgow score
APACHE II
Which investigation for pancreatitis is most sensitive and specific?
Serum lipase
Causes of raised amylase?
Pancreatitis
Pancreatic pseudocyst
Mesenteric infarct
Perforated viscus
Acute cholecystitis
DKA
What are some prognostic factors indicating severe pancreatitis?
age > 55 years
hypocalcaemia
hyperglycaemia
hypoxia
neutrophilia
elevated LDH and AST
What most commonly causes chronic pancreatitis?
Alcohol excess - 80%
Features of chronic pancreatitis?
Pain 15-30 mins after a meal
Steatorrhoea 5-25 years after pain onset
Diabetes mellitus >20 years after symptoms
Investigations for chronic pancreatitis?
CT is most sensitive but abdominal XR can be done
If imaging is inconclusive then faecal elastase can be done to assess exocrine function
According to NICE guidance for CT head scans… what is “a dangerous mechanism of injury” that necessitates a CT head scan within 8 hours of the injury?
a pedestrian or cyclist struck by a motor vehicle
an occupant ejected from a motor vehicle
a fall from a height of greater than 1 metre
A fall from more than 5 stairs
What usually causes neurogenic shock? outline the pathophysiology?
Spinal cord transection = interruption of autonomic nervous system = decreased sympathetic tone or increased parasympathetic tone = decrease in peripheral vascular resistance mediated by marked vasodilation = decreased preload = decreased CO = decreased tissue perfusion = shock
What does it suggest if a person is in shock but has warm peripheries?
It suggests vasodilation as a cause of shock e.g. sepsis, anaphylaxis, neurogenic
What is the difference between an incarcerated and a strangulated hernia?
Incarcerated - a hernia cannot be reduced
Strangulated - were blood supply to the hernia is compromised leading to ischaemia or necrosis
Inguinal vs femoral hernia location?
Inguinal - above and medial to pubic tubercle
Femoral - below and lateral to the pubic tubercle
Cause of congenital inguinal hernia? How should they be repaired?
Indirect hernias resulting from a patent processus vaginalis
Should be surgically repaired soon after diagnosis as at risk of incarceration
What % of superficial thrombophlebitis cases will have an underlying DVT at presentation?
20%
What is superficial thrombophlebitis?
Thrombus formation in a superficial vein with associated inflammation in the tissue surrounding the vein
What is migratory thrombophlebitis? what is it commonly associated with?
Thrombophlebitis that recurs at varying sites but most commonly in the leg
It is often associated with a serious underlying cause such as cancer
Symptoms of superficial thrombophlebitis?
Pain, tenderness, itching, reddening of the skin
Hardening of surrounding tissue
Pigmentation changes of overlying skin
What is the 2 most common cause of small bowel obsictions?
- Adhesions
- Hernias
Definitive investigation for small bowel obstruction?
CT
(AXR is commonly used first line still)
Most commmn 3 causes of large bowel obstruction?
Tumours 60%
Volvulus
Diverticular disease
Small vs large bowel obstruction imaging findings?
Small bowel - valvulae conniventes extend all the way across (plicae circulares)
Large bowel - haustra extend about 1/3rd the way across
What is spina bifida occult?
the skin and tissues (but not not bones) may develop over the distal cord. The site may be identifiable by a birth mark or hair patch
Up to 10% of the population may have this
What is scheuermann’s disease?
Rigid form of spinal kyphosis caused by anterior wedging of >5 degrees across 3 consecutive vertebrae, most commonly in the thoracic spine
in adolescents causing back pain, stiffness and kyphosis
What is stauffer syndrome?
a paraneoplastic disorder associated with renal cell cancer
typically presents as cholestasis/hepatosplenomegaly
Why might you monitor U&Es after a SAH?
As it can cause hyponatraemia secondary to SIADH
What are the most common cause of scrotal swellings?
Epididymal cyst
How does epididyml cysts present? what age is most common?
The cyst is separate from the body of the testicle
And found posterior to the testicle
Painless
Not possible to get above the lump
Usually in pts over 40
What conditions are epididymal cysts associated with?
polycystic kidney disease
cystic fibrosis
von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
What may hydroceles develop secondary to?
epididymo-orchitis
testicular torsion
testicular tumours
Presentation of hydroceles?
soft, non-tender swelling of the hemi-scrotum. Usually anterior to and below the testicle
the swelling is confined to the scrotum, you can get ‘above’ the mass on examination
transilluminates with a pen torch
the testis may be difficult to palpate if the hydrocele is large