Pathology of the Esophagus

Question 1

This disorder is a protrusion of the stomach into the chest through an enlarged diaphragmatic opening.

Answer 1

Hiatal hernia (sliding or paraesophageal)

Question 2

This type of esophageal obstruction is due to high resting pressure or failure to relax.

Answer 2

Lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction

Question 3

What is the most common cause of infectious esophagitis?

Answer 3

Candidiasis

Question 4

This type of esophageal obstruction is short-lived due to a lack of coordination in the muscular layers.

Answer 4

Nutcracker esophagus

Question 5

Where is esophageal adenocarcinoma most likely to develop?

Answer 5

Distal esophagus since this is where Barrett’s esophagus originally develops

Question 6

What is the most common esophageal cancer worldwide?

Answer 6

Squamous cell carcinoma

Question 7

This esophageal pathology is similar to esophageal webs, but includes thicker and circumferential protrusions.

Answer 7

Esophageal rings

Question 8

What is the most common cause of esophageal varices in developed countries?

Answer 8

Portal hypertension due to cirrhosis

Question 9

What is the most common benign tumor of the esophagus?

Answer 9

Leiomyoma

Question 10

What is the most common esophageal cancer in the USA?

Answer 10

Esophageal adenocarcinoma

Question 11

What are the most common causes of viral esophagitis?

Answer 11

HSV (healthy people and people with transplants), CMV (immunosuppressed)

Question 12

What is esophageal stenosis?

Answer 12

Narrowing of the esophageal lumen due to fibrotic thickening

Question 13

Esophageal lacerations are generally secondary to what cause?

Answer 13

Acute intoxication

Question 14

What are known risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus?

Answer 14

Alcohol, tobacco, Plummer-Vinson Syndrome, hot drinks, radiation, diets deficient in fruit and vegetables

Question 15

This disease is a complication of chronic GERD that causes intestinal metaplasia in the esophagus.

Answer 15

Barrett’s Esophagus

Question 16

What are the most common causes of esophageal bleeding?

Answer 16

Lacerations, perforations, varices

Question 17

Barrett’s esophagus increases the risk of development of what malignancy?

Answer 17

Esophageal adenocarcinoma

Question 18

What is the least severe cause of esophageal bleeding that rarely requires medical intervention?

Answer 18

Lacerations (Mallory-Weiss Tears)

Question 19

Esophageal perforations are life-threatening bleed of the distal esophagus. What is a common cause?

Answer 19

Sudden increase in intraluminal pressure (usually due to violent vomiting)

Question 20

What tumor suppressor genes are implicated in esophageal adenocarcinoma?

Answer 20

TP53, CDKN2A

Question 21

These outpouchings may form in the esophagus due to increased wall stress and may capture food.

Answer 21

Zenker diverticulum

Question 22

A “bird’s beak” appearance is associated with what esophageal disorder?

Answer 22

Achalasia

Question 23

What is achalasia?

Answer 23

An esophageal disorder characterized by incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, increased sphincter tone, and a-peristalsis of the esophagus

Question 24

How do esophageal adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma differ with regard to location?

Answer 24

Esophageal adenocarcinoma appears in the distal esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma commonly appears in the proximal and middle esophagus

Question 25

What are esophageal varices?

Answer 25

Dilated veins in the lower esophagus - a medical emergency when they rupture

Question 26

What is the most common type of esophagitis?

Answer 26

Reflux esophagitis

Question 27

This type of esophageal obstruction is due to repetitive and simultaneous contracts of the distal esophageal muscles.

Answer 27

Diffuse esophageal spasm / Corkscrew esophagus