Dysphagia Flashcards
What word is used to describe pain on swallowing?
Odynophagia
How might a patient’s impression of the level of pharyngeal/oesophageal obstruction differ from the actual level of obstruction?
Level of obstruction is generally lower than indicated
List 3 causes of oropharyngeal dysphagia
Stroke
Head and neck surgery/radiotherapy
Structural disorders: stricture, web, pharyngeal pouch or diverticulum
List 3 stricturing and 3 functional causes of oesophageal dysphagia
Stricture: reflux disease, malignancy, extrinsic compression
Functional: achalasia, dysmotility (diffuse oesophageal spasm/scleroderma), pouches/diverticula
What is globus hystericus?
The sensation of having a “lump” in one’s throat, associated with anxiety
What does a sudden onset of symptoms suggest about the underlying cause of a dysphagia?
?bolus obstruction or CVA
What does a progressive course of dysphagia imply about the underlying aetiology?
Suggests malignancy, stricture or achalasia
What does an intermittent non-progressive course of dysphagia imply about the underlying aetiology?
Benign stricture, web or hiatus hernia
What does an intermittent progressive course of dysphagia imply about the underlying aetiology?
Functional (e.g. achalasia, scleroderma, spasm)
What does a dysphagia of liquid vs solids imply about the underlying aetiology?
Solids: likely structural problem (e.g. malignancy, pharyngeal or oesophageal pouch)
Liquids: functional disorder (e.g. achalasia)
What does a dysphagia with weight loss suggest in terms of the underlying cause?
Malignancy
Achalasia
What does a dysphagia associated with long term reflux suggest about the underlying cause?
Peptic stricture
What does a dysphagia associated with aspiration suggest about the underlying cause?
Neuromuscular issues (e.g. achalasia, CVA)
What signs MAY be observed on examination in the setting of dysphagia?
General inspection: wasted (?malignancy)
Periphery: scleroderma (CREST syndrome)
Head and neck: LNs, previous Sx, gurgling pouch in the neck
Neurological function
What Ix can be ordered for oropharyngeal dysphagia?
Video swallow (provides functional information; can identify a pharyngeal pouch)
What Ix can be ordered for oesophageal dysphagia?
Gastroscopy Barium swallow CT scan Oesophageal manometry Endoscopic U/S
What is the aim of performing a gastroscopy in the setting of oesophageal dysphagia?
Can identify structural abnormality (e.g. cancer, web, stricture, extrinsic compression)
Can be therapeutic (e.g. stricture dilation, removal of foreign body)
When might a barium swallow be useful in the context of dysphagia?
Uncommonly required but may be useful for achalasia or if pharyngeal pouch suspected
What information may be supplied by a CT scan in the setting of dysphagia?
May be useful for assessment of large hiatus hernia or extrinsic compression
What information may be supplied by oesophageal manometry in the setting of dysphagia?
Assessment of achalasia or diffuse oesophageal spasm
What information may be supplied by endoscopic U/S in the setting of dysphagia?
Can characterise lesions in the wall such as GI stromal tumours (GIST)
What is the cause of a pharyngeal pouch?
Dysfunction/spasm of upper oesophageal sphincter
Describe the natural Hx of a pharyngeal pouch
Gurgling in the neck
Brings up previously eaten foods
How is pharyngeal pouch diagnosed?
Barium swallow