Dysphagia, Odynophagia and Atypical Chest Pain Flashcards
What is an iatrogenic cause of esophageal perforation?
What are some spontaneous causes of esophageal perforation? (3)
Trauma - NG tube, endoscopy, etc.
Retching/vomiting
History of alcohol abuse
Boerhaave’s - transmural rupture at the GEJ
What is used to DX an esophageal perforation?
CXR with air in the mediastinum/subQ emphysema or CT chest w/ contrast
What should be avoided diagnostically in a patient with an esophageal perforation? What is used instead?
Avoid barium swallow, as it will invade the mediastinum and cause inflammation.
Use Gastrografin (water-sol.) instead.
What is the treatment for esophageal perforation? (4)
NPO
Parenteral ABX
Surgery
Endoscopic stenting
What 3 findings may be found in a patient with Boerhaave’s or iatrogenic esophageal perforation?
SubQ emphysema: 30-60% of pts. Typically detected in the neck or precordial region.
Hamman’s sign: 12-50% of pts. A crunching, rasping sound synchronous with the heart beat.
Dyspnea: 30-60% of pts.
What are the 2 most common places for PUD to occur?
What age group is more likely to develop PUD at either location?
Duodenal bulb (DU) and stomach (GU)
DU most common in pts. 30-55 y/o
GU in pts. 55-70 y/o
What is the description given of the epigastric pain in a patient with PUD?
Gnawing, dull, aching or “hunger-like”
What are signs of a GI bleed?
Coffee ground emesis, hematemesis, melena or hematochezia
What is the PE like in a patient with uncomplicated PUD?
What might be elicited on exam?
Oftentimes normal.
Mild, localized epigastric tenderness to deep palpation. Possible hyperactive bowel sounds.
What is the first step of DX PUD?
What else could be done?
EGD w/ BX (exclude malignancy in GU)
CXR/CT/MRI to eval. perforation, obstruction, etc. NG lavage (if negative for blood, a bleeding DU cannot be excluded)
What is the unique protocol to test for H. pylori?
How is H. pylori tested for? (5)
Must stop PPI for 14 days before fecal and breath tests.
Fecal Ag test Detection of IgA Abs Urea breath test Upper endoscopy w/ gastric BX Warthin-Starry's silver stain
What is the overall treatment for H. pylori?
Suppress acid D/C smoking Treat H. pylori D/C NSAIDs Endoscopic intervention or surgery consult
What are 2 major complications of PUD?
- An ulcer along the posterior wall of the duodenum or stomach may perforate into structures like the pancreas, liver or biliary tree.
- Bleeding, obstruction, perforation, etc. into the pancreas can cause pancreatitis.
What occurs in nutcracker esophagus?
What is it associated with?
Hypertensive peristalsis
- swallowing contractions are too powerful
- greater amplitude and duration, but normal coordinated contraction (>180 mmHg)
Increased freq. of depression, anxiety and somatization
What occurs with the LES in nutcracker esophagus vs. diffuse esophageal spasm?
Nutcracker: relaxes normally, but has elevated pressure at baseline
Diffuse esophageal spasm: LES function is normal
What occurs in diffuse esophageal spasms?
What does it look like on barium XR?
Spastic contractions of the SM lead to uncoordinated peristalsis > “corkscrew esophagus”
“Rosary bead esophagus”
What are primary vs. secondary causes of diffuse esophageal spasm?
Primary: idiopathic
Secondary: GERD, stress, DM, alcoholism, neuropathy, radiation, ischemia, etc. MANY things.
What are the symptoms of both nutcracker esophagus and diffuse esophageal spasms?
Dysphagia to solids and liquids, which is intermittent and non-progressive
Atypical chest pain
How is nutcracker esophagus vs. diffuse esophageal spasm DX?
Nutcracker: manometry, video fluoroscopy
Diffuse: manometry, EGD. barium swallow
Nitrates, Ca++ antagonists and mental health consult
When should an EGD be done in GERD?
If there are alarm features, like weight loss, vomiting, severe pain, etc.
Which hiatal hernia is associated with increased risk for GERD?
Sliding hiatal hernia
Which patients are at an increased risk for sliding hiatal hernia?
Obese pts., pregnancy, etc.
What occurs in paraesophageal hernia?
What can it lead to? (3)
Herniation into the mediastinum including a visceral structure other than the gastric cardia (usually the colon)
“Upside down stomach”
Gastric volvulus
Strangulation of the stomach
How are hiatal hernias diagnosed?
What is the treatment?
Barium XR
None if ASX, surgery if SX