Overview Enteropathic arthritis is a subtype of spondyloarthropathy associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It affects up to 20% of IBD patients, with a variable presentation involving axial and/or peripheral joints. The arthritis may run parallel to intestinal disease activity or occur independently, often with enthesitis or dactylitis. It […]

Overview Bowel obstruction is a blockage of intestinal contents, either mechanical (e.g., adhesions, hernias, malignancy) or functional (e.g., ileus), leading to impaired transit, proximal dilation, and downstream complications including ischaemia and perforation if untreated. Key features of bowel obstruction include colicky abdominal pain, distension, nausea with bilious or faeculent vomiting, obstipation, initially high-pitched then absent […]

Overview Colon cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer. 1/12 people will develop bowel cancer before the age of 85. However, there are Survival rates are increasing. Early bowel cancer is cured by surgery alone (screening is important!!). If untreated, or diagnosed when distance metastases are present, >98% pf patients die in <5 years. Colon […]

Overview Chronic pancreatitis is characterised by recurrent or persistent abdominal pain arising from the pancreas. The inflammatory process results in irreversible destruction and fibrosis of the pancreas. Often associated with exocrine or endocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Pancreas anatomy and physiology Pancreatic anatomy Pancreas extends retroperitoneally across posterior abdominal wall. It means “All (pan) Flesh (Kreas)”. The […]

Overview Diverticula of the colon consist of outpouchings of mucous membrane through the muscle wall of the bowel. In the colon, diverticula are found most commonly in the sigmoid and descending colon, and become increasingly rare in passing from the left to the right side of the colon. They are unusual before the age of 40 […]

Overview Coeliac disease is a systemic autoimmune disease triggered (T-lymphocytes) by dietary gluten peptides found in wheat, rye, barley, and related grains. Immune activation in the small intestine leads to villous atrophy, hypertrophy of the intestinal crypts, and increased numbers of lymphocytes in the epithelium and lamina propria. Locally these changes lead to gastrointestinal symptoms and malabsorption. […]

Overview  Inflammatory bowel disease is a common condition. It is divided into two types: Crohn disease and Ulcerative colitis. Both these condition differ in pathology, progression and complication, but they do share a lot similar characteristics as well. Ulcerative Colitis Crohn’s Disease Both Gender Male<Female 2-19/100,000 Incidence (per year) 21-20/100,000 15-40yo Onset 15-40yo Distal colon Location […]