Disorders of the Esophagus and Stomach Flashcards
Esophagitis
Injury of the esophageal mucosa with subsequent inflammation.
Esophageal Disorders
- Reflux Esophagitis
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis
- Infection
- HSV
- CMV
- Candida
- Mallory Weiss Tear
- Esophageal SCC
- Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Reflux Esophagitis
Chronic regurgitation of gastric contents into the esophagus producing various degrees of tissue damage. The acid-peptic action of gastric juices is critical to the development of injury to the esophageal mucosa.
Reflux Esophagitis - Pathogenesis
- Decreased efficacy of esophageal antireflux mechanisms.
- Inadequate / slowed esophageal clearance of refluxed material.
- Presence of a sliding hiatal hernia.
- Delayed gastric emptying and increased gastric volume.
- Reduced reparative capacity of esophageal mucosa by protracted exposure to acid
Reflux Esophagitis - Clinical Features
- Commoner in adults >40 years of age.
- Also occurs in infants and children.
- Cardinal features: Dysphagia, Heart burn, Regurgitation of sour “brash”
- Hematemesis and melena
- Chest pain (it may be severe enough to mimic a myocardial infarct)
Reflux Esophagitis - Gross Findings
•vary according to the degree of severity from mild edema and hyperemia to erosions and ulcers.
Reflux Esophagitis - Microscopic Findings
- Uncomplicated: Epithelial basal zone hyperplasia, exceeding 20% of the epithelial thickness; eosinophils, lymphocytes with or without neutrophils within the epithelium; congestion and elongation of lamina propria papillae, extending into the top third of the epithelium.
- Severe cases: Erosions and ulcers covered by fibrinopurulent debris.

Reflux Esophagitis - Complications
•Bleeding, stricture formation and Barrett’s esophagus.
Barrett’s Esophagus
•Condition in which the distal squamous esophageal mucosa is replaced by columnartype epithelium (glandular mucosa) as a complication of prolonged reflux esophagitis.
- 10% of symptomatic GERD patients will develop BE
- Portends increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Barrett’s Esophagus - Pathogenesis
The proposed theory is that long standing gastroesophageal reflux leads to inflammation and ulceration with healing by reepithelialization and ingrowth of immature pluripotent stem cells. These stem cells, in a low pH environment, differentiate into a gastric or intestinal type of epithelium that is more acid resistant.
Barrett’s Espohagus - Gross Findings
Tongues of red velvety glandular mucosa contrasting with the pale pink squamous mucosa within esophagus. Length 3cm: Long segment BE.

Barrett’s Espohagus - Microscopic Findings
- The hallmark of diagnosis is intestinal metaplasia of esophagus characterized by goblet cells (Intracytoplasmic pale blue mucin vacuole with remaining cytoplasm assuming the shape of a wine goblet).
- Dysplasia is recognized by the presence of cytological and architectural abnormalities (enlarged, crowded and stratified hyperchromatic nuclei, glandular proliferation and crowding with loss of intervening stroma).
- Precursor of adenocarcinoma.

Barrett’s Espohagus - Diagnostic Criteria
- Endoscopic identification of tongues of salmon-colored glandular mucosa projecting into pearly white squamous lined esophagus >/= 1cm in length
- AND • Histologic documentation of intestinal metaplasia, characterized by goblet cells within this salmon-colored patch
- Presently, intestinal metaplasia (goblet cells) is required for the diagnosis of Barrett’ s esophagus because intestinal metaplasia is the only type of esophageal columnar epithelium that clearly predisposes to malignancy
Barrett’s Espohagus - Risk Factors
• Well established risk factors for BE:
– Age >50
– White Male
– Chronic GERD with frequent symptoms
– Current or past history of smoking
– Central obesity
– First degree relative with BE and/or EAC
• Patients with multiple risk factors undergo screening for BE.
Barrett’s Esophagus - Clinical Manifestations
*same as reflux esophagitis
- Commoner in adults >40 years of age.
- Also occurs in infants and children.
- Cardinal features: Dysphagia, Heart burn, Regurgitation of sour “brash”
- Hematemesis and melena
- Chest pain (it may be severe enough to mimic a myocardial infarct)
Barrett’s Esophagus - Complications
Include ulceration, bleeding, development of strictures and a 30-40 fold risk for the development of carcinoma.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Characterized by infiltration of esophageal mucosa by a large number of eosinophils, particularly superficially.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis - Pathogenesis
Majority of individuals are atopic with other allergic conditions such as asthma and moderate peripheral eosinophilia. Etiology is believed to be allergy to food.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis - Clinical Features
Typical history of dysphagia and food impaction. Adults and children.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis - Complications
Stricture formation, esophageal dysmotility
Endoscopic Features of EoE

Microscopic Features of EoE

Eosinophilic Esophagitis - Management
- Identification of allergens and dietary restriction
- Proton pump inhibitors: Mechanism of action is by blocking recruitment of eosinophils and release of eotaxin
- Topical steroids
Chemical Induced Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Ingestion of mucosal irritants (ETOH, corrosive acids or alkalis) excessively hot fluid and heavy smoking; induced injury ranges from mild erythema and edema to severe necrosis and inflammation. Localized esophageal erosions may result from pharmaceutical tablets or capsules “sticking” to the mucosa (Pill-induced esophagitis).






















