Disorders of the Esophagus High Yield Flashcards
Two types of dysphagia
- Oropharyngeal
- Esophageal
2 MC Symptoms of GERD
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation
3 Dysfunctions of the GEJ that cause GERD
- Transient LES relaxation
- Anatomic disruption of GEJ
- Hypotensive LES
Typical symptom of GERD
Heartburn
Besides heartburn, what else can occur in GERD?
Extraesophageal or atypical manifestations
Asthma
Chronic cough
Chronic laryngitis
Sore throat
Non-cardiac chest pain
Sleep disturbances
When do we do further studies on someone with GERD?
- Only if they have alarm symptoms
- Only if they fail empiric PPIs
What imaging modality is best to observe GERD?
EGD
What kind of patient almost always has an associated hiatal hernia?
90% of Barrett’s patients
Which hiatal hernia type is worse?
Sliding
MC Risk factors for hiatal hernia
- Age > 50
- Obesity
What endoscopic finding is diagnostic of Barrett’s?
Biopsy of salmon colored gastric type epithelium
Tx of low-grade Barrett’s
- Resect
- EGD 6mo
- Annual EGD
Tx of high-grade Barrett’s
- Resect
- Immediate EGD
- 3,6,12 mo EGD
- Annually for 5 years, then q3-5years
Tx of mild, intermittent GERD
- Lifestyle modifications
- Antacids or H2RA
Tx of failed H2RA therapy or severe GERD?
PPIs
Who gets long-term PPI therapy?
- Severe erosive esophagitis
- Barrett’s
Best surgery for GERD
Surgical fundoplication laparoscopically
3 groups that can get surgical fundoplication
- Extraesophageal manifestations of GERD
- Severe reflux and refuse lifelong PPI
- Large hiatal hernias despite PPI
When is gastric bypass better than surgical fundoplication
Obese GERD patients
Who can use a LINX procedure
Hiatal hernias < 3cm
What epithelial type is esophageal cancer due to Barrett’s?
Adenocarcinoma
MC type of esophageal cancer
Where are most esophageal cancers located?
Distal 3rd
Top two modifiable risk factors that contribute to Squamous cell carcinoma?
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
What esophageal cancer type is more common in blacks vs whites and where does it occur in the esophagus?
Squamous cell carcinoma in the MIDDLE esophagus
What is the common symptom of esophageal cancer?
Significant weight loss
How to diagnose esophageal cancer?
EGD with biopsy
Treatment of curable eso cancer
Surgery +/- chemoradiation
Treatment of INcurable eso cancer
Chemo/chemoradiation, local therapy for obstructions.
Two most important predictors of POOR survival in eso cancer
- Adjacent mediastinal spread
- Lymph node involvement
What is the suspected cause of Zenker’s
Loss of elasticity of UPPER esophageal sphincter
What two things are associated with most Zenker’s patients?
- Hiatal hernia
- Reflux
What unique symptoms suggest Zenker’s
- Halitosis
- Nocturnal choking
- Protrusion of neck
Diagnosis of Zenker’s
Barium swallow
Tx of Zenker’s
Myotomy of obstruction and excision of diverticulum
What is achalasia
Distal narrowing of esophagus (LES)
S/S of achalasia
- Gradual onset of dysphagia for solid foods and liquids
- Specific manuevers to eat properly
Diagnose achalasia
- Esophageal manometry (#1)
Barium swallow result for achalasia
Symmetric bird’s beak tapering of the distal esophagus
Tx of achalasia
- Pneumatic dilation (#1)
- Botox
- Heller myotomy
Botox and nitrates for non-surgical candidates
Diagnostic finding for diffuse esophageal spasms
Corkscrew esophagus with barium swallow
Tx of DES
- CCBs (Dilt)
- TCA
- SL NTG
- Sildenafil
- Botox
Non-pharm tx of scleroderma
- Eat upright
- Drink liquids when swallowing solids
Pharm tx of scleroderma
- PPI
- Metoclopramide
Strong predisposing factor for mallory-weiss tears
Alcoholics
What is the most common historical finding in mallory weiss patients?
Lifting, straining, retching, vomiting
Diagnose mallory weiss tear
EGD with 0.4-0.5cm linear tear near GEJ or below
What makes someone more likely to keep bleeding from a mallory weiss tear
Portal HTN
Initial management of mallory-weiss tear
Fluids + transfusions
Management of continued bleeding in mallory weiss tears
- Epi
- Cautery
- Compression
- Angiographic arterial embolization for last resort
- PPIs
Where are webs MC found
Upper to mid esophagus
Where are rings MC found
Distal esophagus
Tx of a single ring or web
Dilators or incision
MCC of esophageal varices
Portal HTN
MCC of portal HTN
Cirrhosis
Bleeding risk factors for esophageal varices
- Large > 5cm
- Red wale markings
- High child’s score (liver severity)
- Active alcohol abuse
Initial management of esophageal varices
- Acute resucitation via fluids and transfusions.
- NG tube
- Supplemental O2
4 mainstays of esophageal varices besides stabilizing them
- IV rocephin
- Octreotide
- Vit K
- Lactulose (prevent ammonia buildup)
When is emergent endoscopy and banding indicated in esophageal varices treatment?
AFTER they are hemodynamically stable
How to prevent recurrent bleeding of esophageal varices
BBs and variceal band ligation
Propranolol
What kind of patients should be screened for esophageal varices and what do they give?
- Anyone w/ cirrhosis
- BBs reduce first-time risk
When to refer for esophageal varices?
- Upper GI bleeding and suspected varices
- Cirrhosis patients
When to admit for varices?
Acute upper GI bleed and suspected cirrhosis => ICU
Last resort treatments for varices
- Balloon tamponades
- TIPS
MC risk factor to get infective esophagitis
Immunosuppressed
3 MC pathogens that cause infective esophagitis
- Candida
- HSV
- CMV
What pathogen can cause infective esophagitis in normal ppl
HSV
Diagnose infective esophagitis
EGD w/ biopsy and brushings
Tx of infective esophagitis
- CMV: antiretrovirals
- Candidal: systemic fluconazole
- HSV: Oral acyclovir
What does esophageal manometry test?
Motility testing