Dysphagia Flashcards
Differential diagnosis for dysphagia?
Functional: "ACE - nut des les sem" Achalasia Chaga's Esophageal spasm syndromes Nutcracker esophagus Diffuse esophageal spasm (DES) Hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter Non-specific elongated motor disorders
Mechanical disorders "HaNDS" Hiatal hernia Neoplasm Diverticuli - Zenker, epiphrenic, traction Stricture
Dysphagia
Disordered or difficulty swallowing
Achalasia
failure of relaxation of the LES
Mechanism of achalasia?
loss of vagal innervation of the esophageal body, LES resulting in incomplete relaxation
Triad of physiological findings in achalasia
- Atony and aperistalsis
- Dilatation
- Failure of LES to relax
Age of onset for achalasia and what increased risk happens?
30s-40s
Slightly increased risk of esophageal cancer
HPI for achalasia?
Dysphagia, difficulty swallowing liquids and solids, regurgitation, chest pain
Diagnostic test for achalasia?
Barium swallow - birds beak with proximal dilatation
Esophagoscopy - dilatation with retained food, mucosal evidence of retention esophagitis
Esophageal manometry - incomplete or absent LES
Treatment for Achalasia?
Medical: CCBs, Long acting nitrates for short period of time
Mechanical: Esophageal dilation 65-81% good response, Botulinum toxin - direct injection into LES via endoscopy
Surgical: Longitudinal esophagomyotomy from 1 cm below EG junction to 6 cm above EG junction with partial fundoplication. 80-95% relief
Chaga’s disease
- caused by Trypansoma cruzi which destroys myenteric plexus
- South America
- Indistinguishable from achalasia
What causes esophageal spasm disorders?
disruption of normal motility
HPI for esophageal spasm disorders?
Chest pain + dysphagia
- dysphagia to solids and liquids (functional) exacerbated by stress or liquids that are hot or cold.
- Neck pain radiates to neck or down arm
Diagnostic testing for Esophageal spasm disorders
Video esophogram - first step, r/o anatomic causes
Endoscopy - evaluate for anatomic or mucosal abnormalities, not helpful for spastic disorders
Manometry - gold standard to ID esophageal motor disorders, measure pressures for 24 hours.
24 hour pH Monitoring - differentiate spasm from GERD (both cause chest pain). Differentiate if dysphagia present with adequate acid suppression.
Tx for esophageal spasm disorders?
Medical: Diltiazem lowers distal contraction of esophagus and reduces chest pain in nutcracker esophagus
Nifedipine, hydralazine isosorbide for DES
Mechanical - dilitation only works for DES
Surgical - long esophageal myotomy - only for recurrent, <30% mealtime effectiveness
Name esophageal tumors:
Leiomyomas
Esophageal polyps
Squamous cell cancer
Adenocarcinoma
What age doe most leiomyomas occur? How many?
20-50 y/o, multiple in 3-10% of patients
HPI for benign tumor?
symptomatic when > 5 cm in diameter, dysphagia, vague retrosternal pain
Diagnosis for benign tumor?
Barium swallow
Esophagoscopy to r/o cancer
Endoscopic U/S - hypoechoic homogenous masses beneath intact mucosa