Gastroenterology Flashcards
(214 cards)
Acute Pancreatitis retinopathy
Puertscher retinopathy: cotton wool spots - temporary or permanent blindness.
Causes of acute pancreatitis
(GET SMASHED) Gallst, ETOH, Trauma, Steroids, Mumps, autoimmune (PAN), ascaris, scorpion ven, Hypertriglyceridaemia, hyperchylomicronaemia, hyperCa, hyperthermia, ERCP, Drugs
(DID steroids, diuretics BEcome VAMP DIDanosine, steroids, diuretics, Bendro, Valproate, Azathioprine, Mesalazine, Pentamidine)
Amylase vs lipase for pancreatitis
amylase 75% raised, specificity 90%. Lipase better, longer half-life
Compl of acute pancreatitis
peripancreatic fluid collection 25%
psuedocysts
necrosis
abscess
haemorrhage
ARDS
peripancreatic fluid collection
lack granulation wall/fibrous tissue. Can become pseudocysts/abscesses. Self-resolving
pancreatic pseudocysts
from peripancreatic fluid collection, may or may not communicate with ductal system. Walled off by fibrous/granulation tissue, occurs 4wks or more post-attack. Mostly retrogastric. 75% with persistently elevated amylase. Ix: CT, ERCP, MRI, endoscopic USS.
Rx: 50% self-resolve in 12 wks, endoscopic/surgical cystogastrostomy or aspiration
Pancreatic necrosis
Either of parenchyma or surrounding fat. Rx: Sterile necrosis should be managed conservatively (early necrosectomy assx with high mortality). Some centres do fine-needle aspiration sampling of necrotic tissue if infection suspected.
Pancreatic abscess
often from infected pseudocysts. Rx: drainage
Pancreatic haemorrhage
necrosis involving vascular structures or iatrogenic. Grey Turner’s sign if retroperitoneal.
ARDS mortality rate
20%
Causes of chronic pancreatitis
80% ETOH excess, Genetic (CF, haemochromatosis), ductal obstruction (tumours, stones, structural abnormalities including pancreas divisum, annular pancreas).
Sx of chronic pancreatitis
pain worse 15-30mins post meal, steatorrhoea (pancreatic insufficiency, usually 5-25yrs post pain onset), DM (>20yrs post onset).
Ix for chronic pancreatitis
CT pancreas best (sensitivity 80%, specificity 85%)
AXR (calcification in 30%)
faecal elastase (assesses exocrine function if imaging inconclusive).
Rx for chronic pancreatitis
enzyme supplements, analgesia, antioxidants
Pancreatic Ca commonest type and location
80% adenocarcinoma
head of pancreas
Pancreatic ca assx
age, smoking, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, HNPCC, MEN, BRCA2, KRAS.
Sx for pancreatic ca
painless jaundice, abdo mass, weight loss, exocrine + endocrine loss of function, atypical back pain, migratory thrombophlebitis (Trousseau sign).
Ix pancreatic ca
high-res CT pancreas (double duct sign - CBD + pancreatic duct dilatation), USS (sensitivity 60-90%).
Rx for pancreatic ca
<20% suitable for surgery at dx, Whipple’s resection (SE: dumping syndrome, peptic ulcers) + adjuvant chemo, ERCP stenting for palliation
Ascending cholangitis
E coli common. Charcot’s triad 20-50%: fever 90%, RUQ pain 70%, jaundice 60%. Reynold’s pentad: hypotension + confusion. Ix: USS for bile duct dilation + CBD stones. Rx: IV abx, ERCP after 24-48hrs to relieve obstruction.
Primary biliary cholangitis
middle aged females (9:1). Interlobular bile ducts damaged by chronic inflammatory process, causing progressive cholestasis, may progress to cirrhosis.
Assx: Sjogren’s (80%), RhA, systemic sclerosis, thyroid disease.
Sx: asymptomatic/itching/fatigue (early), cholestatic jaundice, hyperpigmentation (esp over pressure points), RUQ pain (10%), xanthelasma, xanthomata, clubbing, hepatosplenomegaly, liver failure (late).
Dx: AMA M2 subtype (98%), smooth muscle abs (30%), raised IgM, USS/MRCP (exclude extrahepatic obstruction).
Rx: ursodeoxycholic acid, colestyramine for pruritis, fat-soluble vitamin supplementation, liver transplantation if bilirubin>100.
Compl: cirrhosis, osteomalacia/porosis, HCC (20x risk)
Biopsy for PBC findings
dense lymphoid infiltrates of hepatic portal tracts with chronic inflammation and hepatocyte necrosis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
inflammation + fibrosis of intra + extra-hepatic bile ducts.
Assx: UC (80%, 4% of UC have PSC), Crohn’s (less than UC, HIV (due to CMV, Cryptosporidium, Microsporidia).
Sx: cholestasis, jaundice, RUQ pain, fatigue.
Ix: ERCP/MRCP show multiple ‘beaded’ biliary strictures, p-ANCA +ve, liver biopsy (fibrous, obliterative cholangitis- ‘onion skin’).
Compl: CCA (10%), colorectal Ca
Post-cholecystectomy syndrome
Sx: dyspepsia, vomiting, pain, flatulence, diarrhoea 40%.
Rx: low fat diet, cholestyramine, PPIs if dyspepsia.