Gastroenterology Mnemonics
Splenomegaly: causes
CHINA:
Congestion/ Cellular infiltration
Haematological (eg haemolytic anaemia,
Sickle cell)
Infection/ Infarction (eg malaria, GF,CMV)
Neoplasia (eg
CML, lymphoma, other
myeloproliferative)
Autoimmune
Dysphagia: causes
MOON:
Mouth lesions
Obstruction
Oesophageal
stricture
Neurological (eg
stroke, Guillain-
Barre, achalasia)
Cirrhosis:
differential: common and rarer · Common causes are ABC:
Alcohol
B
(Hepatitis)
C (Hepatitis) ·
Rarer
are also ABC:
Autoimmune
Biliary
cirrhosis
Copper
(Wilson's)
Hepatic
encephalopathy: precipitating factors ABCDEFI:
Alcohol
withdrawal
Bleeding (GI)
Constipation
Drugs: withdraw any sedatives/narcotics
Electrolyte imbalances
Fluid depletion:
stop diuretics
Infections:
treat vigorously
Celiac disease:
gluten-free diet grains BB-WORM:
Barley
Buckwheat
Wheat
Oats
Ry e
Malt
Dry mouth:
differential "DRI":·2 of each:
Drugs/ Dehydration
Renal failure/ Radiotherapy
Immunological
(Sjogren's)/ Intense emotions
Liver failure:
decompensating chronic liver failure differential
HEPATICUS:
Haemorrhage
Electrolyte
disturbance
Protein load/ Paracetamol
Alcohol binge
Trauma
Infection
Constipation
Uraemia
Sedatives/ Shunt/ Surgery
Cirrhosis:
causes of hepatic cirrhosis HEPATIC:
Hemochromatosis (primary)
Enzy me deficiency
(alpha-1-antitrypsin)
Post hepatic
(infection + drug induced)
Alcoholic
Ty rosinosis
Indian childhood
(galactosemia)
Cardiac/ Cholestatic
(biliary)/ Cancer/
Copper
(Wilson's)
Hepatic
encephalopathy: precipitating factors HEPATICS:
Hemorrhage in GIT/ Hyperkalemia
Excess protein
in diet
Paracentesis
Acidosis/ Anemia
Trauma
Infection
Colon
surgery Sedatives
Diabetic
ketoacidosis: precipitating factors · 5 I's:
Infection
Ischaemia
(cardiac, mesenteric)
Infarction
Ignorance (poor
control)
Intoxication
(alcohol)
Whipple's disease:
clinical manifestations SHELDA:
Serositis
Hy
perpigmentation of skin
Eating less
(weight loss)
Ly mphadenopathy
Diarrhea
Arthritis
Celiac sprue
gluten sensitive enteropathy: gluten-containing grains BROW:
Barley
Ry e
Oats
Wheat
· Flattened intestinal villi of celiac sprue are smooth,
like an eyebrow.
Liver failure
(chronic): signs found on the arms CLAPS:
Clubbing
Leukonychia
Asterixis
Palmar
erythema Scratch marks
Splenomegaly: causes
CHIMP:
Cy sts Haematological ( eg CML, myelofibrosis)
Infective (eg viral (IM), bacterial)
Metabolic/ Misc (eg amyloid,
Gauchers)
Portal
hypertension
Constipation: causes
DOPED:
Drugs (eg
opiates)
Obstruction (eg
IBD, cancer)
Pain
Endocrine (eg
hypothyroid)
Depression
COMMENTS