Gastroenterology & Hepatology — Flashcards

Flashcard 611: What imaging is done for acute pancreatitis alongside serum amylase? _____

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

Flashcard 612: What are the biggest risk factors for pancreatic cancer? 1 Smoking 2 Diabetes mellitus (esp T2DM) 3 Chronic _____ 3 Obesity 4. Family history

Answer: pancreatitis

Flashcard 613: To diagnose irritable bowel syndrome, other diagnosis should be considered e.g. _____

Answer: IBD, colorectal cancer, coeliac disease

Flashcard 614: 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 615: Why can Crohn's cause vitamin B12 deficiency? _____

Answer: Damage to the terminal ielum

Flashcard 616: Acutely thrombosed external haemorrhoids should be managed with _____ if presented within 72 hours of symptom onset.

Answer: excision

Extra: Management of Thrombosed External Hemorrhoids: - < 72 hours: Surgical excision/evacuation. - > 72 hours: Conservative management. Note: Internal hemorrhoids are generally not excised acutely in the same manner unless strangulated.

Flashcard 617: Crohn's disease typically presents in _____

Answer: young adulthood

Extra: Crohn's disease has a bimodal age distribution. The first and largest peak occurs between ages 15 and 35 (adolescence/young adulthood). It does not typically present in childhood (pediatrics), although it can occur there.

Flashcard 618: What is the most common cause of small bowel obstruction in children? _____

Answer: Intussusception

Extra: Intussusception is the most common cause of bowel obstruction in infants (6 months to 3 years). In adults, the most common cause is post-surgical adhesions.

Flashcard 619: In a patient with a perianal abscess, _____ may be used to identify an underlying cause (e.g., Crohn's disease).

Answer: colonoscopy and blood tests

Extra: While the acute management of a perianal abscess is incision and drainage, investigations like colonoscopy are focused on identifying underlying causes such as Crohn's disease or malignancy. Blood tests (CRP/ESR) help assess systemic inflammation.

Flashcard 620: _____ is characterised by mucosal and submucosal continuous inflammation.

Answer: Ulcerative colitis

Extra: Ulcerative colitis: - Depth: Mucosa and submucosa (superficial) - Progression: Continuous, starting from rectum - Key Features: Crypt abscesses, pseudopolyps, loss of haustra (lead pipe appearance)