Acute Gynae Flashcards
(93 cards)
How would you take a gynaecology history and what are the key questions to ask?
Gynae Hx:
PC (ODP, recurrence? etc)
HPC
MS COURS
–> Menstrual cycles - when was LMP, are your cycles regular+how long do you bleed for, any pain during this, heavy bleeding?/how many pads do you use, any abnormal bleeding in between cycles (PCB, IMB), age of menarche/menopause?
–> Sexual - do you have a regular sexual partner, have you had a recent STI check, pain during sex (start vs end = superficial vs deep), discharge changes?
–> Contraception - do you take regular contraception + which one, does your partner, any SE if on OCP
–> Obstetric - any chance you could be pregnant, previous pregnancies and their outcome, if birth then modes of birth, any complications from these pregnancies?
–> Urinary + Rectal sx - changes in waterworks, changes in bowel habit (freq, bleeding, dragging sensation = prolapse), Hx of UTIs
–> Smears (ONLY IF >25y) - when was your last cervical smear, what was the result of that?
PMH - include previous surgeries including hysterectomy if apt, medical admissions etc + conditions e.g. for RFs etc
DH - medicines, allergies
FH - family history of complications in pregnancy?*, risk factors - cancers/strokes
SH - support system, smoking, drinking
ICE!!! - always needed
SR - exclude other symptoms
What questions are important to ask when a patient comes in with a suspected gynae infection?
Hx questions:
- Discharge (colour, smell, consistency and amount)
- Blood (inter-menstrual, post-coital)
- Pain, itching
- Urinary Sx - burning, frequency, urgency
- FLAWS
- Chance of pregnancy
- Sexual Hx (regular partner, male or female, last different partner, recent STI check, contraception/barriers)
What investigations are key for infections within gynaecology? What pH changes may you see?
(NOTE - do speculum before bimanual as the lubrication ruins the speculum swabs)
Ix:
-> pH - sensitive but not specific; normally 3.5-4.5 due to lactobacilli in vagina but may be:
LOW pH = candida
NORMAL pH = normal, candida
HIGH pH = bacterial infections i.e. TV, BV, contamination (blood, semen, lube)
- > Swabs - (1st = endocervical NAAT testing for N.G and Ch, 2nd = high vaginal charcoal swab for TV, BV, candida and GBS; may have a 3 where the second is an endocervical charcoal swab for gonorrhoea)
- > Bloods - for HIV and Syphillis
What is BV and its cause? What are some risk factors and protective factors?
BV = Bacterial Vaginosis
- > Commonest cause of abnormal vaginal discharge
- > Sexually associated but not sexually transmitted
- > Occurs and remits spontaneously due to overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria [e.g. Gardnerella vaginalis] and loss of lactobacilli –> increased pH –> increased chance of BV
RFs:
- > New sexual partner
- > Sexual activity
- > Copper IUD
- > Bubble bathing, douching
- > Other STIs
- > Smoking
Protective Factors:
- COCP
- Circumcised partner
- Condoms
How would the patient present with BV and what Ix would you consider?
*Amsel + Hay-Ison criteria?
Sx:
- > “Fishy’ odorous discharge
- > NO other symptoms; 50% Asymptomatic
Ix:
- > Dx is clinical + microscopy
- > HVS [wet mount] microscopy shows CLUE cells which are vaginal epithelium cells coated with lots of bacilli + High pH
Amsel’s criteria [requires 3/4 of]:
- Thin white, homogenous discharge
- Clue cells on microscopy
- Vaginal pH >4.5
- Fishy odour on adding 10% KOH
Hay-Ison criteria is applied to gram staining (Grade 3 = BV)
How would you manage a patient with BV? [+2nd line?] What are complications of BV?
Mx:
- > 1st line = Metronidazole 400mg BD PO for 7 days or intravaginal preparation for 5d
- > 2nd line = intravaginal clindamycinn PV cream 5g 2% for 7 days
- > Advice = avoid vaginal douching, shower gel, use of shampoo in bath, no alcohol on these Abs
Complications:
- > Late miscarriage
- > Pre-term birth, PROM
- > Post-partum endometritis
- > Increases risk of acquiring and transmitting STIs
What is TV infection and how does it present? (Sx + O/E)
TV = Trichomonas vaginalis
-> Sexually transmitted
Sx:
- > GREEN/yellow frothy discharge + offensive odour
- > Vulval itching or vaginal soreness
- > Dyspareunia
- > Lower abdominal pain and dysuria
O/E:
- > Strawberry cervix
- > Discharge ^
How would you Ix + manage a patient with suspected TV?
Ix:
- HVS microscopy/wet mount shows flagellated organism
- pH > 4.5
- Endocervical swabs for other STIs
- Culture and gram stain
Mx:
- > Metronidazole [or Tinidazole] 7d
- > No sexual intercourse for 7 days or at least use condoms, contact tracing + STI check up for previous partners, follow-up to retest after 3m, no alcohol on these Abs
Similar complications as BV:
- > Pregnancy: PROM, Pre-term labour + LBW
- > Enhances HIV/STI transmission
What is Thrush and what are some risk factors for it?
Candidiasis/Thrush
- > 90% caused by Candida albicans, 5% by candida glabrata
- > Can be spontaneous or secondary to disruption to normal vaginal flora (2nd most common infection after BV)
RFs:
- > DM, Immunosuppression (poorly controlled)
- > Intercourse
- > Recent Abx e.g. for UTI
- > Oestrogen exposure (more common in pregnancy, reproductive years)
How would someone with thrush present and how would you investigate them?
Sx:
- > vulva itching, soreness, irritation
- > “cottage-cheese” like discharge
Ix:
- Clinical Dx, no Ix usually required
- Diagnostic = HVS; microscopy, culture and gram stain (speckled gram+ spores, pseudo-hyphae in c.albicans)
- Others: HbA1c in DM, MSU for UTIs
How would you treat someone with thrush? What if they were pregnant?
Mx:
EITHER topical clotrimazole pessary/cream [Canesten] AND/OR oral anti-fungal e.g. fluconazole or itraconazole
Advice:
+ avoid tight fitting clothing, local irritants like perfume, scented soaps/gels
+ don’t wash female area with soap/gels, no douching
+ If recurrent (>/=4 symptomatic episodes) then check adherence and use induction and maintenance fluconazole [every3d x3 then 6m 1/w]
+ If pregnant only use topical treatment***
Complications:
- Hepatotoxicity with systemic antifungals (monitor LFTs)
- Immunocompromised may get oesophageal or disseminated candidiasis
What are cutaneous warts also known as and how do they present in a patient?
Condylomata acuminate = caused by HPV 6 and 11 infection
- > Most are sexually transmitted
- > HPV vaccine [Gardasil] prevents against subtypes 6, 11, 16 and 18
Sx:
- Often asymptomatic
- Genital warts on vulva, vagina, cervix and anus which are generally painless but may itch/bleed/get inflamed
- Vaginal discharge
- PCB/IMB from local trauma and pain
How would you manage (Ix+Mx) genital warts? What are some risks?
Ix:
- Often clinical diagnosis
- STI screen (triple swab, HIV, syphilis, HBV)
Mx:
- Often no treatment required but might refer to GUM if STI risk factors
- Medical (NOT for pregnant women) = imiquimod cream for keratinised warts and podophyllin/tri-chloro-acetic acid for non-keratinised warts
- Surgical = cryotherapy, laser, electrocautery
Complications
- > If high risk HPV virus then could lead to increased risk of anogenital cancers
- > Distress/psychosexual dysfunction
What is chlamydia caused by and how does it present?
Chlamydia = infection by the obligate intracellular gram- bacteria called chlamydia trachomatis [can’t be seen under microscope]
- > Most common bacterial STI in the UK
- > Affects the endocervix +/- urethra in women, and in men the urethra
Sx:
- Asymptomatic in ~70-80% women
- Symptoms (30%) = purulent PV discharge, dyspareunia, IMB/PCB, abdominal pain, dysuria
RFs = multiple sexual partners, no barriers, Hx of STIs
What investigations would you consider for someone with suspected chlamydia?
Ix:
- > IF symptoms, then can treat on suspicion alone
- > NAAT via vulvovaginal swab or first catch urine (men=urethral swab/FCU) = direct microscopy will show non=gonococcal urethritis, no organisms just neutrophils
-> [2nd line = culture + sensitivities but NAAT is main]
How would you manage a patient with chlamydia and what are some complications of chlamydia?
Mx:
- 1st line = 100mg doxycycline 2x/daily for 7d [CI in pregnancy and breast feeding so instead use 2nd line = azithromycin 1g single dose]
- Contact tracing (last 6m)
- STI screening recommended
- Avoid sex until Tx completed
- F/u by 5w
Complications:
- PID, sub/infertility, ectopic
- Fitz-Hugh-Curtis (perihepatitis)
- Reactive arthritis (conjunctivitis, urethritis, arthritis)
- Pregnancy issues (PROM, PTL, postpartum endometritis)
What is gonorrhoea caused by and how does it present?
Caused by the gram- intracellular diplococci neisseria gonorrhoea
- > 2nd most STI after chlamydia
- > RF = unprotected sex/no barriers, multiple partners, other STIs, HIV, MSM
Sx:
- Asymptomatic in 50% patients
- Symptoms = PV discharge, IMB/PCB, dysuria, dyspareunia, lower abdominal pain
O/E:
- Speculum = mucopurulent endocervical discharge, easily induced endocervical bleeding
- Bimanual = cervical motion/adnexal tenderness, uterine tenderness
How would you investigate suspected gonorrhoea?
note: empirical treatment only if recent sexual contact with confirmed gonococcal infection
Ix:
-> NAAT (men= FCU, women= vulvovaginal swab)
-> Direct microscopy (neutrophils, gram- diplococci)
[2nd line = Culture + Sensitivities]
How would you manage a patient with gonorrhoea and what are some complications if left untreated?
Mx [post-confirmation of gonorrhoea by NAAT/microscopy/culture]:
- > 1g IM Ceftriaxone
- > Screen for other STIs
- > Contact tracing
- > F/u 1w later and avoid sex for 1w
Complications:
- PID, infertility, ectopic
- Conjunctivitis
- Fitz-Hugh-Curtiz (perihepatitis - PID due to liver to abdominal wall adhesions)
- Vertical transmission to baby (giving conjunctivitis)
- Disseminated disease in 1% (fever, rash, meningitis, septic arthritis)
- Increased HIV susceptibility
What is syphilis and what are some RFs for it?
Syphilis = systemic infection by gram- spirochete called Treponema pallidum
-> Can be transmitted sexually, blood bourne or vertical
RF = young age (<29y), African American, drug use, other STI infections, sex workers
How may syphilis present?
Primary [3-4w]
- Painless chancres [genital ulcers]
- Local lymphadenopathy
- Resolves in 3-8w
Secondary [4-8w after chancres]
- Only 25% get symptoms
- Rough papulonodular rash on hands, feet, trunk
- Condylomata lata (warts)
- Snail track oral ulcer
- Lymphadenopathy + systemic symptoms
- Uveitis
- Resolves in 2-12w
Latent:
- No Sx, detected on routine tests
- Early latent = <2y after infection i.e. exposure to/symptoms, Late latent = >2y after infection
Tertiary [1-20y]
- Affects 1/3 of untreated illness
- Gummatous syphilis [15%] = erosive skin and bone lesions
- Cardiovascular syphillis [10%] = aortitis, aortic regurgitation (early diastolic decrescendo), HF
- Neurosyphilis:
- -> Tabes dorsalis (15-20y) - affects dorsal column so get sensory problems, lightning pains, absent reflexes
- -> General paresis (10-25y) - dementia
- -> Meningovascular (5-10y) - ischaemia, insomnia, emotionally labile
What investigations would you consider for suspected syphilis?
Ix:
- Microbiology Swabs –> dark field microscopy shows spirochete
- Serology - can be treponema tests (rapid plasmin reagin, VDRL) or non-treponema tests (EIA, TPHA, FTA-ABS)
- Neurosyphilis - CT/MRI head, LP (raised WCC and protein)
How would you manage syphilis? [depending on stage]
Mx:
-> Early (primary, secondary and early latent) = IM Benzathine benzylpenicillin* 1.8g single dose
-> Late (tertiary non-neuro and late latent) = IM Benzathine benzypenicillin 1.8g (once weekly for 3w)
- > Neurosyphilis =
- IV Benzylpenicillin sodium 4-hourly for 10-14 days
- Prednisolone for 3d started 24h before IV Abx to prevent Jarish-Herxheimer reaction which is the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to dying organisms
- If pregnant mother >22w then admit them when treating e.g. risk of febrile myalgia
AND FOR ALL:
- > F/u and repeat bloods at 3m (4 fold drop in RPR)
- > Notify partner/s
*in penicillin allergy (+non-pregnant), give 2 or 4w doxycycline 100mg 2x daily
What are some complications of syphilis?
Complications:
- Risks in pregnancy (FGR, hydrous, congenital syphilis causing life-long disability - rash on hands and feet and bone lesions, stillbirth, neonatal death and pre-term birth