Celiac & Tropical Sprue (Gastroenterology 2006;131:1977-80 & 2001;120:1526-40) CELIAC SPRUE Definition: Intestinal reaction to alpha-gliadin in gluten » loss of villi & absorptive area Gluten sensitive enteropathy, multisystem disease Epidemiology:…
Carcinoid Tumors (Mid-Gut) DEFINITION: Carcinoids arise from enterochromaffin cells of the gastrointestinal tract See also Bowel- GI Endocrine Tumors (Chapter 2.16) The term enterochromaffin refers to the ability to stain…
Clostridium Difficile (Gastroenterology 2006;130:1311-16. Am J Gastroenterol 1997;92:739-50) DEFINITION: Infectious diarrhea with Clostridium Difficile EPIDEMIOLOGY: 20-30% of persons who take antibiotics develop diarrhea C. difficile frequency is unknown, estimated at…
Bacterial Overgrowth DEFINITION: Increased number of bacteria in areas of the GI tract that usually do not provide the environment for colonization/proliferation of bacteria EPIDEMIOLOGY: Depends on cause; See Factors…
Appendix Disease & Meckel’s Diverticulum DEFINITION: Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix Carcinoid tumor: most common tumor of appendix; requires surgical removal See also Bowel-Carcinoid Tumors (Chapter 2.08) Meckel’s Diverticulum: congenital…
Anorectal Diseases TAKE A GOOD HISTORY: Key questions: Bowel movement quality, Anal pain (± with bowel movements), Bleeding, Prolapse/mass HEMORRHOIDS (Gastroenterology 2004;126:1461-62 & 1463-73) Symptomatic involvement of vascular cushions in…
Abdominal Pain: Chronic DEFINITION: Pain that has remained unchanged for months or years can be safely classified as ‘chronic’ Divided into diagnosable (intermittent or constant) and undiagnosable Chronic undiagnosed abdominal…
Abdominal Pain: Acute DEFINITION: Pain less than a few days that has worsened progressively until time of presentation is ‘acute’ Characterized by severe pain, often rapid onset, that prevents bodily…
Abdominal Pain: General DEFINITION: No clear definitions of acute vs. chronic abdominal pain Pain less than a few days that has worsened progressively until time of presentation is ‘acute’ Characterized…
