Case 11- Pathology Flashcards
Oesophagitis
Inflammation of the oesophageal mucosa
Causes of Oesophagitis
CRAMPS V
Chemical injury by acidic/alkaline solutions Radiation therapy Alcohol abuse Medications Physical injury Surgery Vomiting
Most important cause is reflux of gastric contents in to the lower oesophagus i.e. GORD
Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR)
When the stomach contents move back up the oesophagus. Having GOR once in a while is common
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
Symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abdominal reflux of gastric contents into the oesophagus. Often chronic and relapsing. Acid reflux from the stomach.
Symptoms of GORD and Oesophagitis
Regular heartburn, a painful burning sensation in the middle of your chest behind the sternum (breastbone) and in the middle of the abdomen. Taste of food or acid in the back of your mouth.
Common GORD symptoms
Bad breath, nausea, pain in your chest or the upper part of your abdomen, problems swallowing or painful swallowing, respiratory problems and vomiting.
Causes of GORD
RETCH
Resistance= mucosal resistance is reduced, junctional complexes break down and allow acid to enter the mucosa. Reduced bicarbonate
Emptying= decrease in gastric emptying increases the likelihood and frequency of reflux
Tone= Lower oesophageal sphincter tone is reduced, due to pregnancy, obesity and medication
Clearance= oesophageal clearance is reduced, reduction in salivary flow and production. Seen in smokers, the elderly, alcohol
Hernia= loose hiatus muscles in the diaphragm, allows contents from the stomach to enter the oesophagus
Two main symptoms of GORD
Symptoms:
Heartburn- aggravated by fatty/spicy/acidic foods. Most common nocturnally
Acid regurgitation- bitter taste in mouth. Bad breath, nausea, dysphagia, vomiting
Diagnosis of GORD/ oesophagitis
- Clinical- symptoms of heartburn
- Endoscopic- red/congested mucosa
- Manometric- decreased sphincter pressure
- pH- below 4
- Pathological- microscopic evidence of oesophagitis i.e. the presence of acidification and necrotic cells
Complications of GORD
Oesophageal stricture- damage to cells cause scar tissue formation and narrowing of the oesophagus leading to dysphagia
Oesophageal bleeding- can cause ulceration which can haemorrhage
Oesophageal ulcers - where mucosal erosion extends to the submucosa and beyond
Barrett’s Oesophagus
Gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach lining
Gastritis symptoms
Vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, burning and anorexia
Gastritis risk factors
Unhealthy food, drug induced (NSAID), H-pylori/ infection, alcohol, spicy food, smoking, reflux
How NSAIDs cause gastritis
NSAIDs inhibit gastroduodenal prostaglandin synthesis, resulting in reduced secretion of mucus and bicarbonate and decreased mucosal blood flow. These factors are normally protective of the mucosa and the balance of mucosal protection/acidic attack can be upset, promoting ulcer formation.
Acute gastritis
Associated with neutrophil infiltration
Surface erosion causing severe mucosal damage
Haemorrhage development
Erosion of the epithelium doesn’t cross the muscularis mucosa, unlike in peptic ulcers
Acute gastritis- aggressive factors and protective factors
Due to an imbalance in aggressive factors and protective factors.
Aggressive factors- increased acid secretion with back diffusion.
Protective factors- decreased production of a bicarbonate buffer. Reduced blood flow and disruption of the adherent mucus layer. Direct damage to the epithelium.
Pathogenesis of acute gastritis
Triggers lead to increase in acid secretion and decrease in protective factors
Decreased bicarbonate production
Direct damage to epithelium
Acute gastritis symptoms
Abdominal pain
Haematemesis
Nausea
Heartburn
Chronic gastritis
Associated with lymphocytes and plasma cells. The presence of chronic mucosal inflammatory changes leading eventually to mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. Mucosal atrophy is loss of gastric glandular cells. Loss of gastric glandular cells
Intestinal metaplasia = surface, glandular and foveolar epithelia are replaced by intestinal epithelium
Causes of chronic gastritis
- Autoimmune
- Bacterial- H.pylori (90%)
- Chemical- bile and bicarbonate, pyloric bypass operations, gallstones and disorganised motility
- Drugs- Aspirin, NSAID
Symptoms of chronic gastritis
Often asymptomatic. Associated with epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting