Abdominal Key

CHAPTER 31 ASCITES KEY POINTS • Portal hypertension due to cirrhosis is the most common cause of ascites in Western countries, accounting for approximately 80% of cases. • Peritoneal malignancies…

CHAPTER 30 EVALUATING ABNORMAL LIVER TESTS KEY POINTS • Liver enzyme abnormalities may be physiological or pathological. • Any persistent elevation of liver function tests must be investigated. • A…

Chapter 28 HOW TO PREPARE PATIENTS FOR ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES KEY POINTS Correct patient preparation involves: • Informed consent—a discussion of the nature of the procedure as well as risks, benefits…

Chapter 26 PRACTICAL ISSUES IN NUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENTATION IN GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASE KEY POINTS • In upper gastrointestinal obstruction, endoscopic techniques facilitate access to the normal functional bowel distal to the…

Chapter 16 INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE KEY POINTS Ulcerative colitis: • In ulcerative colitis (UC), the rectum is always involved, which may lead to urgency and bleeding. • The main parameters…

Chapter 25 EATING DISORDERS ANOREXIA NERVOSA KEY POINTS • Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterised by a refusal to maintain a healthy body weight; resistance to gain weight, an intense fear…

Chapter 17 COLORECTAL CANCER KEY POINTS • Colorectal cancer is a major health concern with more than one million new cases yearly, and an overall mortality rate of 50% worldwide….

Chapter 24 WEIGHT LOSS KEY POINTS • Weight loss is defined as >5% loss of usual body weight over a period of 6–12 months. • Body mass index (BMI) is…

Chapter 21 ANAL PAIN KEY POINTS • The differential diagnosis of anal pain includes anal fissure, abscess and proctalgia fugax. Haemorrhoids rarely cause pain unless they are complicated by thrombosis….

Chapter 20 RECTAL BLEEDING AND HAEMORRHOIDS KEY POINTS Rectal bleeding: • Initial management of massive rectal bleeding always involves assessment and resuscitation. • Colonoscopy, radiolabelled red cell scan, selective mesenteric…