UWORLD GI Flashcards
hallmark of ischemic hepatopathy in regards to labs
-rapid and massive increase in the transaminases with modest accompanying elevations in total bilirubin and alk phos
This refers to persistent abdominal pain or dyspepsia (e.g. nausea) that occurs either postoperatively (early) or months to years (late) after a cholecystectomy
Postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS)
Steps in diagnosing PCS
- endoscopic US
- ERCP
- or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatograpyhy
What can treat cholesterol gallstones in patients with mild symptoms who are not candidates for cholecystectomy?
- Ursodeoxycholic acid
- This is also used to treat PBC and PSC
Diarrhea associated with laxative abuse is typically described as what?
- watery, frequent (10-20 daily) and voluminous
- Nocturnal BMs and abdominal cramps are common
- HYPOKALEMIA and metabolic alkalosis
characteristic colonoscopic findings in laxative abuse
-Melanosis coli, which is dark brown discoloration of the colon with pale patches of lymph follicles that give the appearance of alligator skin
Pathophysiology of diffuse esophageal spasm
-Uncoordinated, simultaneous contractions of esophageal body
Symptoms of diffuse esophageal spasm
- Intermittent chest pain
- Dysphagia for solids and liquids
Diagnosis of diffuse esophageal spasm
- Manometry: intermittent peristalsi, multiple simultaneous contractions
- Esophagram: “Corkscrew” pattern
Treatment of Diffuse esophgeal spasm
- CCB
- Alternates: nitrates or tricyclics
nutrient deficiency and associated symptoms found with malabsorption in celiac dx
- Fat and Protein: Loss of muscle mass and subcutaneous fat, fatigue
- Iron: Pallor (anemia), fatigue
- Calcium and Vit D: Bone pain (osteomalacia), Fx (osteoporosis)
- Vit K: Easy bruising
- Vit A: hyperkeratosis
The diagnosis of celiac disease is highly correlated with positive results on serological studies, primarily IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase and IgA anti-endomysial antibodies. However, Many patients with biopsy confirmed celiac dx will have negative results due to what
associated selective IgA deficiency, which is common in celiac dx
Patients with cirrhosis and portal HTN frequently have abdominal ascites and peripheral edema due to low albumin levels and abnormal extracellular fluid volume regulation. A small number of these patients may also develop hepatic hydrothorax . .what is this
a pleural effusion NOT due to underlying cardiac or pulmonary abnormalities . .. due to small defects in the diaphragm
-much more commonly on the right side due to the less muscular hemidiaphragm
Describe hepatopulmonary syndrome
- results from intrapulmonary vascular dilations in the setting of chronic liver disease
- Patients frequently have evidence of platypnea (increased dyspnea while upright) or orthodeoxia (oxygen desat while upright)
Describe the relationship between Total parenteral nutrition and gallstones?
- Normal stimulus for CCK release and gallbladder contraction is absent
- causes gallbladder stasis and predisposes to gallstone formation and bile sludging, both of which may lead to cholecystitis
Acute pancreatitis complicated by hypotension is thought to arise from what?
-Intravascular volume loss secondary to local and systemic vascular endothelial injury. This causes vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, and plasma leak into the retroperitoneum, resulting in systemic hypotension
Common causes of pill or medication induced esophagitis
- Antibx: tetracyclines
- Anti-inflammatory: Aspirin and NSAIDS
- Bisphosphonates: Alendronate, Risedronate
- Others: Potassium chloride, iron
Most common location for pill esophagitis and why?
-Mid-esophagus due to compression by the aortic arch or an enlarged left atrium
What type of granulomas in Crohns
NONcaseating
Gross examination in Crohns
- TRANSMURAL inflammation
- linear mucosal ulcerations
- Cobblestoning
- Creeping fat
patient < 40 with BRBPR but no other red flags or symptoms .. . whats the workup
- Anoscopy
- if nothing found then sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy
- If 40-49 then start with second bullet above
- if >50 or red flags then colonoscopy
What are the diagnostic requirements of Acute Liver Failure (severe acute liver injury in a patient without cirrhosis)?
- Severe acute liver injury (ALT and AST often > 1000)
- Signs of hepatic encephalopathy (e.g. confusion, asterixis)
- Synthetic liver dysfunction (INR > 1.5)
Describe the D-xylose test
- Patients with proximal small intestinal mucosal dx (e.g. celiac) cannot absorb the D-xylose in the intestine, and urinary and venous D-xylose levels will be low
- By contrast, patients with malabsorption due to enzyme deficiencies (e.g. chronic pancreatitis) will have normal absorption of D-xylose
What is the first serologic marker to appear in the serum with acute hepatitis B?
-What appears shortly after?
- HBsAg . . appears usually 4-8 weeks after infection
- IgM anti-HBc shortly after, which is around the time clinical symptoms occur and patients develop elevations in hepatic aminotransferase levels (often >25 times the normal limit)
What is pellagra and what is it due to
- 3 Ds: dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia
- Niacin deficiency
In developing countries, niacin deficiency is seen in populations that subsist primarily on what produces
-Corn products
Despite the introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents (sofosbuvir-Velpatasvir), which have dramatically improved the ability to achieve virologic cure, HCV management continues to involve strategies to prevent further liver damage. What are these strategies?
- Alcohol avoidance
- HAV and HBV vaccination
An asymptomatic elevation of Alk phos with normal hepatic transaminases, normal RUQ US, and positive antimitochondrial antibody assay is consistent with what
PBC
drug of choice for PBC
Ursodeoxycholic acid . . treatment is less effective in advanced disease and many patients will go on to require liver transplantation
Toxic megacolon typically presents with total or segmental nonobstructive colonic dilation, severe bloody diarrhea, and systemic findings (e.g. fever, tachycardia). Patients with IBD are at higher risk of developing toxic megacolon. Diagnosis is confirmed by what?
- Plain abdominal x-rays and 3 or more of the following:
- > 100.4 F
- Pulse >120
- WBC > 10,500
- anemia
Toxic megacolon is a medical emergency that require what -
- prompt IV steroids
- Nasogastric decompression
- antibiotics
- fluid management
Recurrent peptic ulcer disease with multiple ulcers and jejunal ulceration suggests what . . endoscopy often shows thickened gastric folds
Gastrinoma (Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome)
what fasting serum gastrin level is strongly suggestive of a gastrinoma (ZE syndrome)
> 1000
Patients with suspected Gastrinoma with non-diagnostic serum gastrin levels (110-1000) should be evaluated with what
secretin stimulation test
What is a potential complication of acute liver failure that may lead to coma and brain stem herniation and is the most common cause of death
Cerebral edema
In acute liver failure due to acetaminophen toxicity, liver transplantation is firmly indicated in what patients
- Grade III or IV hepatic encephalopathy
- PT >100 seconds
- serum creatinine > 3.4
Describe the possible effect of cirrhosis on Thyroid hormones
- The liver produces serum binding proteins for thyroid hormones (e.g. thyroxine-binding globulin, transthyretin, albumin, lipoproteins)
- Cirrhosis leads to decreased synthesis of these proteins, which lowers the TOTAL triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) in circulation
- However, free T3 and T4 levels are unchanged and TSH will be normal