Gastroenterology & Hepatology — Flashcards

Flashcard 601: _____ is the sudden inflammation of the pancreas characterised by abdominal pain & elevated pancreatic enzymes.

Answer: Acute pancreatitis

Extra: Diagnosis of Acute Pancreatitis requires 2 of 3: 1. Acute epigastric pain radiating to the back. 2. Serum amylase or lipase >3x Upper Limit of Normal (ULN). 3. Characteristic findings on imaging (CT/MRI/Ultrasound).

Flashcard 602: What is the typical Liver Function Test (LFT) pattern seen in pancreatic cancer causing biliary obstruction?

Answer:

Extra: Pancreatic cancer (especially of the head) typically presents with an obstructive jaundice pattern due to compression of the common bile duct. \n\nTypical LFT pattern:\n- ↑↑ Conjugated Bilirubin\n- ↑↑ Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) & GGT\n- Normal or mildly ↑ AST/ALT (unless secondary liver damage/metastases occur)

Flashcard 603: Small bowel obstruction is managed with _____ to aspirate content for "decompression"

Answer: NG tube

Flashcard 604: What is the management for small bowel obstruction caused by hernias? _____

Answer: 100% surgical

Flashcard 605: What imaging is done for acute pancreatitis alongside serum amylase? _____

Answer: US imaging → important to assess aetiology (e.g. gallstones)

Flashcard 606: What is the initial test for pancreatic cancer? _____

Answer: US - 75% sensitivity

Flashcard 607: _____ bowel obstruction tends to have less severe & more gradual symptoms

Answer: Large

Flashcard 608: Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed _____ as it tends to present non-specifically

Answer: late

Flashcard 609: What is the definitive investigation for large bowel obstruction? _____

Answer: CT

Flashcard 610: What is the first-line investigation for large bowel obstruction? _____

Answer: AXR