CSI 8 Flashcards
How long is the fibromuscular tube of the Oesophagus approximately?
25cm
Describe the path of the Oesophagus from where it originates to where it ends?
Origniates from the Inferior border of the cricoid cartilage (C6)
Descends downwards into the superior mediastinum of the thorax, positioned between the trachea and the vertebral bodies of T and T4.
It then enters the abdomen via the Oesophageal hiatus (opening in the the right side of the diaphragm) at T10
Terminates by joining the cardiac oriface of the stomach at level T11.
How long is the abdominal portion of the Oesophagus approximately?
1.25cm
What are the 4 layers of the Oesophagus?
Adventitia- outer layer of connective tissue ( but very distal and intraperitoneal portions of oesophagus have a outer serosa layer instead)
Muscle Layer-external layer of longitudinal muscle and inner layer of circular muscle.
Submusosa
Mucosa -Non-keratinised stratified squamos epithelium (contiguous with columnar epithelium of the stomach)
Describe the 3 layers of the exernal longitudinal layer of muscle in the oesophagus?
Superior third -voluntary striated muscle
Middle third- voluntary striated and smooth muscle
Inferior third- smooth muscle
How is food transported dpown the Oesophagus?
Peristalsis -rhythmic muscle contractions
What is dysphagia?
difficulty swallowing
can bne caused by hardening of muscles involved in peristalsis
What is the structure/location and function of the upper oesophageal sphincter?
Structure:
- anatomical straited muscle sphincter at the junction between the pharynx and oesophagus
- produced by the cricopharyngeal muscle
Function:
-to constrict(normally like this) to prevent the entry of air into the oesophagus
Location and function of the Lower oesophageal sphincter?
Location:
-Physiological sphincter located in the gastro-oesophageal junction(junction between the stomach and oesophagus tot he left of the T11 vertebra ), it is marked by the change from oesophageal to gastric mucosa
Function:
- During Oesophageal peristalsis the sphincter is relaxed to allow food into the stomach
- At rest the sphincter prevents the reflux of acidic gastric contents up into the Oesophagus
What is the structure of the lower oesophageal sphincter?
classified as a physiological (or functional) sphincter, as it does not have any specific sphincteric muscle. Instead, the sphincter is formed from four phenomena:
- The oesophagus enters the stomach at an acute angle.
- The walls of the intra-abdominal section of the oesophagus are compressed when there is a positive intra-abdominal pressure.
- The folds of mucosa present aid in obstructing the lumen at the gastro-oesophageal junction.
- The right crus of the diaphragm has a “pinch-cock” effect.
Where is food most likely to get stuck in the Oesophagus?
The anatomical relations of the Oesophagus which has given rise to 4 physiological constriction remembered as ABCD:
- Arch of the Aorta
- Bronchus
- Cricoid cartilage
- Diaphragmatic hiatus
What is Barretts Oesophagus?
What causes it?
- Metaplasia of lower oesophageal squamous epithelium to gastric/intestinal columnar epithelium.
- usually caused by chronic acid exposure due to malfunctioning lower oesophageal sphincter. The acid irritates the oesophageal epithelium, leading to a metaplastic change.
How can you detect barrets?
Endoscopy of the Oesophagus
What proportion of malignancies in the UK are oesophageal carcinomas?
2%
What are the clinical features of Oesophageal carcinomas?
Dysphagia- difficulty swallowing, becomes worse as tumour increase in size =restricts passage of food
Weight loss
What are the 2 major types of Oesophageal cancer?
Squamos cell carcinoma- most common type(occurs at any level of the oesphagus)
Adenocarcinoma- occurs in inferior third of the oesophagus.. It usually originates in the metaplastic epithelium of Barretts
What are oesophageal varices?
What is the problem with them?
- Normally the abdominal oesophagus drains into systemic and portal vein circulation to form an anastomosis
- varices are weird mini sub mucosal veins in the wall of the oesophagus that lies within the anastomosis
- Usually made when portal hypertension happens ot their is blockage of the portal vein as the blood will then travel via the varices instead which is dangerous as these veins are weak can can burst.
- Patients tend to present with haematemsis(vomiting blood).
What causes Oesophageal varices?
Who is at high risk of getting them ?
Causes- portal hypertension which is caused by chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis
Alcoholics are at high risk
What is heartburn?
burning sensation in the chest because of acid reflux (stomah acid goes up oesophagus and into the mouth)
What is another term for reflux?
Gastro-oesophageal relux disease (GORD)
What is some treatmetn for reflux?
- Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) for 4-8 weeks
- H2 blocker(offered if PPI doesnt work)
What is the treatment for severe Oesophagitis?
Oesophagitis=severe inflammation
- PPI for 8 weeks
- If symptoms come back after you’ve stopped using PPI you should be given a higher dose or treatmetn with a different PPI. You may have to take treament for a long time
- if it doesnt work your symptoms and lifestyle will be reviewed by GP and they may give a different PPI or get some specialist adivice e.g. a gastroenterologist
When is surgery for reflux and Oesophagitis appropriate?
What is the most common surgery for reflux and describe?
-For people who dont want to take medicine long term it have unpleasant side effects from medication
Laparoscopic fundoplication- A keyhole surgery technique, in which the surgeon stitches and folds the top of the stomach, just below where the oesophagus meets the stomach, to create a smaller opening. The aim is to reduce the amount of stomach contents re-entering the oesophagus.
What does the term dyspepsia encompass?
- recurrent epigastric pain
- heartburn
- symptoms of acid regurgitation(with or without bloating)
- nausea and vomitting
- indigestion
- tummy-ache
- reflux
If Oesophageal reflux was a cause of a patients dyspepsia what additional symptoms might they experience?
- belching
- excess salivation in the mouth(water brash)
If gastroenteritis was the cause of the dypepsia what additional symptoms might occur?
- Fevers
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
What are possible causes for dyspepsia?
- Coeliac
- Inflammatory Bowel disease
- Upper GI malignancy
- GORD
- Gastritis
- Pancreatitis
- Medication Side Effects
- Functional Dyspepsia
- Gall Bladder disease
- Gastroenteritis
- Stress
- Peptic Ulcer disease
- Coronary Heart disease
What are the most common causes of dyspepsia in outpatients and what do they present with?
66% caused by functional dyspepsia-present with gastritis and normal results
19% caused by GORD-presents with Oesophagitis
13% caused by Peptic Ulcer disease- present with Duodenal ulcer and Gastric Ulcer
2% caused by Upper GI cancer - Gastric adenocarcinoma, Oesophageal cancer, Gastric Lymphoma
gastritis is pretty common and often resolves slef and may not always explain the symptoms opf dyspepsia
Why is the term functional dypepsia used to describe the cause of dyspepsia instead of gastritis?
In functional dyspepsia their is an element o gastritis present most of time but even if gastritis is present it does not correlate with the degree of symptoms which is why the term functional dyspepsia is attributed to the cause;
What can cause probelmatic and symptomatic gastritis?
when it is caused by:
- infection
- medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which effects the integrity of theprotective mucus lining of the stomach
- excess alcohol
Why is stress a risk factor of dyspepsia?
can be assosiated with functional dyspepsia, overt gastritis or peptic ulceration
What are common symptoms of GORD?
Discomfort particulary worse when eating especially after lying down and can feel like a burning pain behind the sternum
Describe colicky pain and its causes?
Colicky pain- refers to the type of intermittent, spasmodicpain that occurs when a hollow tube contracts to try and get rid of an obstruction. Things that cause colicky pain include Gallstones, renal stones and intestinal obstructions.
Gallbladder and billarty disease can presen tas dyspepsia but the pain is more of a colicky pain.
What are other possibilties to consider for causes of dyspepsia that are very unlikely but dangerous if missed?
Coronary disease-Mr muller has risk factors of this e/g stressful job and smoking. In some patients cardiac ischemia which would normally present as angina type pain can present as dyspepsia or atypical pain.
Due to this those with acute coronary syndrome with atypical symptoms are often misdiagnosed.
Also consider upper gastrointestinal malignancies which often present with dyspepsia
What is a red flag?
signs and symptoms found in a patients history and clinical exams that are indicators of a possible serious underlying condition.
What are red flags that might make a doctor think that someone with dyspepsia has upper GI cancer?
- weight loss
- haematemesis(vomited blood)
- dyphagia
- anaemia
- upper abdominal pain with low haemoglobin level
- raised platelet count
- pain and vomitting may not be red flags if only for a couple of days as they might just be due to acute gastroenteritis, but if it were to persist for a long period of time without treatment particularly in over 55 =red flag
What 7 investigations should the GP conduct to find the cause of the dyspepsia?
Testing for H.Pylori, FBC, alcohol history, medication history, Weight, ECG, LFT’s(liver function tests)
This may vary based on the patient
Reasons to do each of the 7 tests to find the cause of dypepsia?
ECG- quick and non-invasive so good to look for cardiac abnormalities, get ECG done during the pain to see whether it was associated with cardiac ishchemia but an ECG could be useful regardless in highlighting old myocardial infarcts or other abnormalities.
Weight- simple and free, useful to have records on system to compare and monitor, good chance to calculate and discuss BMI
Alcohol history-recommended weekly limit is 14 units per week which Mr Muller is suggesting he may be above this, risk factor of dyspepsia, in excess can causes relevant problems like alcoholic gastritis or liver damage, regardless of its links to his current problem its important to discuss the risks of drinking to much with Mr Muller and advise and offer support if he’d like any.
Medication History- including any over the counter treatments might highlight medications that are contributing to dyspepsia such as those that can relax the oesophageal sphincter causing reflux (includes beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and nitrates) and those that can effect the gastric mucosa or it protective mucosa layer(nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs and aspirin)
Testing for H.Pylori – a bacteria that is commonly implicated in dyspepsia as it can cause a lot of the differentials e.g. gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and malignancies including adenocarcinoma and MALT Lymphoma (Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue). Infection with Helicobactor is highly prevalent and probably 50% of the worlds population have it living in their stomachs. It doesn’t always cause symptoms but if it does it needs treating.
FBC- need to know if he is anaemic and also if his platelets are high, both of which featured in the referral guidelines for suspected GI malignancy and are considered Red flags. A number of cancers can cause an elevated platelet count(thrombocytosis) due to release of cytokines that encourage platelet production. In GI cancers anaemia can occur due to occult blood loss because GI cancers are prone to bleeding and also because cancer cytokines can impact red blood cell production through interference with erythropoietin action.
Liver function tests-From Mr Mullers history Biliary disease is unlikely but not impossible, can show alcohol induced liver changes which could be considered an opportunistic test as it doesn’t bother him as he’ll be having blood test taken anyway.
Wht other investigations might be necessary to do to find the reason for the dyspepsia?
-stool sample(parasites, cysts and ova), stool sample(Microscopy, culture and sensitivities)- these my be more indicated if Mr Muller had diarrhoea, recent travel or a history more in keeping with gastroenteritis
-upper GI endoscopy(OGD-oesophago Gastro Duodenoscopy)- involves a camera being fed down the oesophagus and into the stomach where it gets a direct view of the upper GI tract as far as the beginning of the duodenum. This could be an essential investigation for certain people with dyspepsia however it requires a referral into secondary care, is invasive, often requires sedation and is not needed in everyone. Mr Muller has no features concerning enough to warrant an ODG at this time.
-digital rectal examination-used to look for evidence of upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding where it can identify presence of melaena (dark and offensive smelling faeces containing digestive blood from the upper GI tract, Mr Muller gives a really clear history and denies stool changes or vomiting blood so probs unnecessary. Rectal exam would be more relevant if a patient couldn’t answer those questions or in an acute scenario with an unwell patient
-Echocardiogram- may be relevant if his history showed more suspicions for cardiac involvement or if his ECG was abnormal, otherwise probs wont add much
-Abdomen radiograph-probs don’t need to do it on someone who presents as stable within the community, useful in an acute setting particularly when looking for an intestinal obstruction or perforation, but they don’t show more subtle findings in the soft tissues
CT Scan- probs wont help in Mr Mullers diagnosis, it is inconvenient, uses radiations and is expensive
What does H.Pylori do?
- In the stomach there’s lots of HCL to kill pathogens
- Foveolar cells in the stomach create an alkaline mucus to coat and protect the stomach linig from being corroded by the acid.
- H.Pylori synthesises a molecule called ureases when it enters the stomach to neutralise the the acid surrounding it.
- Urease converts urea into ammonia and CO2, ammonia is basic so can neutralise the acid surrounding H.Pylori to forma buffernig layer around it.
- H.Pylori is not an acidophile so it swims to the musucs layer of the stomach where the pH is safer
- It uses adhesion molecules to try to stick to the epithelial cells of the stomach lining e.g. Lipopolysaccharides(LPS) and BabA. The act of adherence itself is not harmful so the majority of people with H.Pylori in the stomach are going to be asymptomatic.
But some molecules in H.Pylori can turn it into a pathogen. A molecule called CagA disrupts the tight junctions between the epithelial cells in the stomach lining leading to an inflammation(lots of immune cells assemble at a certain site) because the site of inflammation is the stomach the inflammation is called gastritis.
- vacA molecule form H.Pylori causes the cells in the epithelial cells in stomach lining to undergo apoptosis and die.
- The combined effects of cagA and vacA can be bad as they both disrupt the stomach lining leading the underlying cells being exposed to the corrosive effects of gastric HCL which can lead to ulcers
What are the strains of H.Pylori?
cagA -ve or +ve
The +ve strains are more assosiated with gastric diseases
Not all stains are harmful and different people rect differently to different strains
What causes H.Pylori to go towards the stomach lining?
- flagella propels it
- guided by a chemotactic gradientn towards the stomach lining
When would you do a test for H.Pylori?
When patient has upper GI porblems
What are the 4 tests that test for H.Pylori?
Caron 13 urea breath test
stool antigen test
serum serology test
CLO Test
What are the pros and cons of the Carbon 13 urea breath test?
Pros:
- Non-invasive
- High sensitivity and specificity
- can be used as a diagnosis and as a test of cure
CONS:
- Requires specialist analysing equipment, samples may need sending away
- If the patient is on antibiotics or PPIs the results might be falsely negative
- requires fasting conditions
What are the Pros ans cons of the Stool antigen test?
PROS:
- non-invasive, simple, safe
- Hihg sensitivity and specifictiy
- can be used for diagnosis and theoretically as a test of cure
CONS:
Patients might prefer other tests
- samples need refrigeration
- If the patient is on antibiotics or PPIs the results might be falselty negative
- sufficient evidence lacking for use as a test of cure
What are the Pros ans cons of serum serology test?
PROS:
- Cheap and wisely available
- maybe useful for diagnosing a patient that is newly infected
CONS:
- IgM poorly sensitive for new infection
- IgG does not tell you if infection is current (as will remain positive after infection cleared)
- cannot test for cure
What are the pros and cons of CLO test?
PROS:
- high sensitivity and specificity
- instantaneous results
CONS:
-If the pateint is on antibiotic or PPIs, the result might be falsely negative
Which of the H.Pylori tests does not probe for human genes?
Serology test
What do both the carbon 13 and CLO test test for?
presence of urease protein produced by H.Pylori