Small Intestinal disorders.
What is the word for infection of the small bowel?
The cause of an "enteritis" are myriad, from bacterial viral to parasitic.
Which of the following statements is CORRECT about "Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours" (GIST).
Median age is around 60 years of age. About 20-30% are in the small intestine with most in the stomach. Over 50% of patients with GIST tumours have signs of metastatic disease on presentation.
What does the CT show as the cause of this patient's small bowel obstruction?
All of the options can cause a small bowel obstruction, adhesions being the most common. Here however you can see the inguinal hernia as the culprit. Remember to check the groins of your patient.
Which of the following is INCORRECT about 'Giardiasis".
Treatment with Metronidazole for 5 to 7 days is about 90% successful. If untreated it can last for months.
Which of the following animals has the longest small intestine as a percentage of it's body length?
The herbivore wins. It has 40 metres of small intestine for a 2 metre cow. The blue whale has about 220 metres but that is only about 6 to 7 times it's length.
Which of the following statements about Coeliac disease is INCORRECT?
In fact reported rates vary between 1 in 40 and 1 in 300 people depending on the country. Australia reports a rate of 1 in 70 people.
Which of the following statements best describes Crohn's disease.
Sacroiliitis, iritis and Erythema nodosum are just a few of the extraintestinal manifestations that can occur.
What is the most common cause of bleeding from the small bowel in adults?
The bleeding, if brisk enough may be seen on a CT angiogram. Bleeding from the small bowel only makes up about 5-10% of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Why is a blunt injury to the duodenum often delayed in their diagnosis?
There are 4 parts to the C shaped duodenum. Parts D1 and D4 are mobile whilst D2 and D3 are fixed. Injury generally occurs between the second and third part of the duodenum. This area is retroperitoneal. Needs to be suspected from the mechanism---like a punch to the abdomen. CT findings can be subtle.
Which one of the following statements about the word "Duodenum" is CORRECT?
Actually short for "duodenum digitorum" in Medieval Latin and is approximately12 finger widths in length.