Esophageal Conditions Flashcards

1
Q

Esophageal Disorders: Red Flags

A

– Weight loss, mass, symptoms time worsening, abrupt onset after 50
– Other: muscle weakness,neurological signs, pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Dysphagia

A

-Difficulty swallowing
-May say “food feels stuck”
-Liquids or colids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Causes of Dysphagia

A

NMS, obstruction of inflammation of esophagus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Odynophagia

A

-Pain with swallowing (often sharp)
-Usually associated with diffuse or severe inflammation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Pyrosis

A

Heartburn

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

In esophageal disorders, chest pain is often result of:

A

Motility issue which resembles heart

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Regurgitation

A

Small amount of content comes up

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Risk Factors of Dysphagia

A

-Older adults: Natural aging leads to decreased muscle tone*
-Neurological disorders/damage (ie. stroke)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Esophageal Disorders: Testing Procedures

A

-Palpation: lump, mass, hypertonic tissue
-Swallow (screening) test: pain, dysfunction
(Drinking water test)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Esophageal Disorders: Diagnostic Procedures

A

-Barium swallow (upper GI series)
-Endoscopic exam (upper GI endoscopy)
-CT, MRI

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Functional vs. Pathological Swallowing Issues

A

-Functional: No evidence, globus hystericus
-Pathological: Evidence, most conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Oropharyngeal: Location, Symptoms

A

-Oral cavity to upper esophageal sphincter
Symptoms
• Trouble initiating swallowing*
• Nasal regurgitation
• Coughing, choking or gagging w/ attempts to swallow
• Halitosis
• Drooling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Oropharyngeal Conditions

A

• NMS
• Medications
• Oral conditions
• Structural
• Obstructive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Esophageal: Location

A

Upper to lower esophageal sphincter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Esophageal Conditions

A

• Mechanical
• Motility (DES/achalasia)
• Obstructive
• Inflammation/ infection
• Other: hiatal hernia, Barrett’s syndrome, etc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Esophageal: Main Symptoms

A

• Food “gets stuck” (patient may indicate mid to lower part of throat region)*
• Sternal pain/ heart burn (pyrosis)*

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Oropharyngeal vs. Esophageal: Causes

A

-Oropharyngeal: muscle, nerve, structural
-Esophageal: mechanical, motility, obstructive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Globus Hystericus

A

• Sense of fullness or lump in throat
– Has no difficulty in swallowing
– No mass present

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Globus Hystericus: Causes (3)

A

– No specific etiology
– May be due to pharyngeal muscle spasm
– May result from GERD
– May be symptom of certain mood disorders/stress

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Globus hystericus can be confused with other disorders including:

A

Esophageal, GERD, skeletal muscle, mass lesions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Globus Hystericus: Diagnostic considerations

A

• Rule out true dysphagia conditions
-Consider other conditions: NMS, conditions causing post-nasal drip, psychosocial/stress

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

In Globus hystericus, a swallowing screen and palpation for neck masses will:

A

Come back normal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Diffuse Esophageal Spasm

A

Abnormal motility due to esophageal motor dysfunction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

DES is more common in:

A

-Age: Mid 40s+
-More common in women

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

DES Symptoms

A

• Vague Sx
– Usually intermittent & variable
– May last minutes to hours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

DES may evolve to:

A

Achalasia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

DES is also called

A

Corkscrew esophagus or rosary bead

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

DES: Symptoms

A

-Retrosternal pain (may radiate to the back)
-Dysphagia
-Regurgitation
-May occur: at night or with exercise,

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

DES: Red Flags

A

Spasms can cause substernal pain w/o dysphagia
-Mimics angina pain*

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

DES: Other DDx (5)

A

Achalasia, esophagitis, GERD, diverticula, rings

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

DES: Diagnostic testing

A

-Barium swallow*

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

DES: Medication

A

-Ca channel blockers, nitroglycerin, antidepressants
-Botox injections

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

DES: Dietary Factors

A

-Small meals, pureed foods, quick swallow liquids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Achalasia

A

• Neurogenic esophageal motility disorder
A. Ineffective peristalsis of esophageal smooth muscle
B. Inadequate relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter
C. Results in functional obstruction of esophagus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Achalasia: Time of Onset

A

Slowly progressive over months or years
-Usually begins between 20-60

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Achalasia is also known as

A

Esophageal aperistalisis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Achalasia: Symptoms

A

• Dysphagia (most common)
• Noctural regurgitation (33%)
• Chest pain possible
• Heartburn
• Weight loss:
– mild to moderate
– Rapid weight loss, may be secondary to tumor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Achalasia: Diagnostics

A

– Barium swallow preferred

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Narrowing of the esophagus at lower esophageal sphincter

A

Bird beak

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Esophageal dilation

A

Megaesophagus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Intrinsic Disorders of Esophagus

A

-Esophageal web
-Lower esophageal ring
-Esophageal tumors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

Extrinsic disorders of esophagus

A

-Cervical bony exostosis
-Thoracic tumor
-Aortic aneurysm

43
Q

Esophageal web

A

Obstructive disorder in upper esophagus

44
Q

An esophageal web can develop with what disorder?

A

Untreated severe iron deficiency anemia

45
Q

An Esophageal Web is also known as

A

– Plummer-Vinson Syndrome
– Sideropenic Dysphagia

46
Q

Esophageal Web: Symptoms

A

-Dysphagia of solids
-Possible thoracic pain
-Fatigue

47
Q

Esophageal Web: Diagnostic Testing

A

-Barium swallow (preferred)
-Labs: Related to IDA

48
Q

Esophageal Web: Treatment

A

-Treat IDA: Iron supplement
-Determine/address cause of IDA

49
Q

Esophageal Web should include a diet of:

A

Iron rich foods

50
Q

Lower Esophageal Ring

A

-Mucosal structure causing narrowing at distal esophagus
-Causes obstruction of food passing into gastric making it difficult to swallow
-Probably congenital

51
Q

When do symptoms usually begin for Lower Esophageal Ring

A

After 25

52
Q

Lower Esophageal Ring: Symptom

A

Intermittent dysphagia of food

53
Q

Lower Esophageal Ring: Diagnosis

A

-Barium
-X-Rays

54
Q

Lower Esophageal Ring: Treatment

A

Dilation, chew food well

55
Q

Other names for Lower Esophageal Ring

A

-Schatzki Ring or B ring

56
Q

*GERD Vs. Acid Reflux

A

-Acid Reflux: Reflux is common but not frequently; may include heartburn
-GERD: Chronic reflux; Occuring more than 2x/week; Heartburn is most common symptom

57
Q

GERD

A

Reflux of gastric content into esophagus

58
Q

GERD is caused by:

A

Incompetency of LES

59
Q

GERD: Causes of Incompetency of LES

A

Medication, food/diet, pregnancy, hiatal hernia, diabetes, tobacco, weight gain

60
Q

GERD: Specific Populations

A

– Older adults: possible increase d/t coexisting diseases
– Infants: uncomplicated reflux
• Normal to have brief episodes of spitting up
• Disappear by 10 month though may last until 2 yo
• If GERD, may see slow weight gain

61
Q

Contributor to GERD

A

Hiatal hernia

62
Q

Chronic GERD can lead to (5)

A

– Esophagitis
– Esophageal ulcers
– Esophageal strictures
– Barrett’s esophagus
– Esophageal adenocarcinoma (rarely)

63
Q

GERD Symptoms

A

• Heartburn* main sx
• Regurgitation
• Sour taste
• Dysphagia
• Sensation of lump in throat
• Chest pain
• Early satiety
• Abdominal fullness
• Bloating

64
Q

GERD diagnosis is typically diagnosed through:

A

History

65
Q

Esophagitis

A

Inflammation of the esophageal lining

66
Q

Causes of esophagitis

A

-Reflux
-Infection: bacteria, virus (herpes), fungal (candida)
-Other irritants: vomiting, medications

67
Q

Esophagitis: Risk Factors

A

Alcohol, smoking, diet (Similar to GERD)

68
Q

Disorders that can lead to esophagitis

A

GERD & hiatal hernia

69
Q

Esophagitis can lead to other problems including:

A

– Ulcers
– Scars and strictures
– Barrett’s esophagus

70
Q

Esophagitis: Symptoms

A

• Heartburn (most common)
• Regurgitation
• Dysphagia
• Chest pain
• Epigastric discomfort

71
Q

Esophagitis: Diagnostics (4)

A

– Endoscopy or biopsy
– Upper GI series or barium swallow

72
Q

Esophagitis: When to refer

A

Because sx may look like other conditions like GERD, refer if :
• ER: chest pain lasting more than a few minutes or history of heart dx
• Other: when doesn’t improve after few days, doesn’t improve w/ meds.

73
Q

Barrett’s Esophagus

A

• Abnormal cellular changes in lining of lower esophagus

74
Q

Barrett’s Esophagus: Risk Factors

A

– Chronic acid reflux
– Increases with age
– Male, Caucasian
– Overweight, Smoking

75
Q

Conditions causing Barrett’s Esophagus

A

– GERD
– Esophagitis

76
Q

Barret’s Esophagus is associated with:

A

– increased risk in esophageal cancer

77
Q

Barrett’s Esophagus: Symptoms

A

NONE
-May have history of GERD

78
Q

Barrett’s Esophagus: Diagnostics

A

– Endoscopic
– Biopsy

79
Q

Barrett’s Esophagus: Treatment/Prognosis

A

-Treat underlying reflux (GERD): Medication/lifestyle
-Ongoing surveillance to detect cancerous change*

80
Q

Hiatal Hernia

A

• Stomach protrudes through diaphragmatic esophageal hiatus

81
Q

Most common type of hiatal hernia (of 3 types)

A

Sliding (above diaphragm)

82
Q

Hiatal hernia: Most common cause

A

– Increased abdominal pressure
• Coughing, vomiting, lifting
• Straining from bowel movement
• Pregnancy, obesity

83
Q

Hiatal Hernia: Risk Factors

A

– Obesity, aging (70% in those older than 70) , smoking
– Chronic constipation related to low fiber diets

84
Q

Hiatal Hernia is associated with:

A

GERD (<50%)

85
Q

Complications of Hiatal Hernia

A

Heartburn, stricture, Barrett esophagus, esophageal cancer
(Complications from Reflux)

86
Q

Hiatal Hernia: Possible Symptoms

A

• Most asymptomatic

Possible sx:
• Heartburn
• Regurgitation
• Dysphagia
• Chest pain
• GI bleed
– Ex: Mallory Weiss

87
Q

Hiatal Hernia: Treatment

A

• Medication
– Treat GERD
– Tighten muscles
• Surgery

88
Q

Mallory-Weiss Syndrome

A

• Nonpenetrating laceration in gastroesophageal junction region

89
Q

Mallory-Weiss Syndrome: Causes

A

– Primary condition causes significant vomiting or vigorous coughing
– This causes a tear in the GE junction
– Leading to hematemesis

90
Q

Mallory-Weiss Syndrome: Risk Factors

A

– Chronic alcohol abuse
– Bulimia
– Male
– Age: 40-60

91
Q

Mallory-Weiss Syndrome: Associated Conditions

A

– Hiatal hernia (present up to 90% of patients)
– Esophagitis
– Gastritis

92
Q

Mallory-Weiss Syndrome: Signs/Symptoms

A

• Hematemesis-100%
• Melena-10%

93
Q

Mallory Weiss Syndrome: Diagnostics

A

– Endoscopy for definitive diagnosis (will see tear)*
– No specific labs
– May do CBC for bleeding

94
Q

Esophageal Cancer is more common in:

A

Men

95
Q

Esophageal Cancer: Proximal 2/3

A

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

96
Q

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Risk Factors

A

Alcohol, tobacco, achalasia, esophageal web

97
Q

Esopheageal Cancer: Distal 1/3

A

Adenocarcinoma

98
Q

Adenocarcinoma: Risk Factors

A

– Risk factors: Caucasian, smoking, Barrett’s esophagus, GERD

99
Q

Esophageal Cancer: Symptoms

A

– Dysphagia-progressive
– Weight loss

100
Q

Esophageal Cancer: Prognosis

A

Poor

101
Q

Mallory Weiss: Symptoms d/t vomitting

A

– Light-headedness
– Dizziness
– Syncope
– Abdominal pain
– Dyspepsia

102
Q

Esophageal: Other Symptoms

A

• Painful swallowing
• Regurgitation
• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Possible thoracic or upper abdominal pain

103
Q

DES: Can be initiated by

A

-Initiated by hot, cold or carbonated drinks