Esophageal Disorders Flashcards
What are the risk factors of esophagitis?
- pregnancy
- smoking
- obesity
- ETOH
- spicy foods
- meds (NSAIDs, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers)
Medical term for painful swallowing?
odynophagia
Esophagitis is most commonly caused by?
GERD
What are the different causes of esophagitis?
PIECE
- pill-induced
- infectious
- eosinophilic
- caustic
- GERD
What is the hallmark symptom of esophagitis?
Odynophagia!!
What are the main causes of infectious esophagitis?
- candida
- CMV (cytomegalovirus)
- HSV (herpes simplex virus)
- HIV
Endoscopy findings of candida esophagitis will show…
linear yellow-white plaques (oral thrush)
Endoscopy findings of CMV esophagitis will show…
large superficial shallow ulcers
Endoscopy findings of HSV esophagitis will show…
small, deep ulcers
1st line tx for candida esophagitis?
PO Fluconazole
1st line tx for CMV esophagitis?
val or ganciclovir (IV)
1st line tx for HSV esophagitis?
acyclovir
Eosinophilic esophagitis is most commonly associated with _____
atopic disease (allergies, asthma, eczema)
What are the most common causes of pill-induced esophagitis?
- NSAIDs
- bisphosphonates
- beta blockers
- calcium channel blockers
- Abx (doxy, bactrum)
What is the tx for pill-induced esophagitis?
drink pills with at least 4 ounces of water, avoid recumbency for at least 30-60 minutes of pill ingestion, remove pill all together, PPI until inflammation resolves.
What is the pathophysiology of GERD?
weakened LES —> allows gastric acid reflux —-> produces esophagitis and mucosal injury
What are the major complications of GERD?
- esophagitis
- esophageal stricture
- Barrett’s esophagus
- esophageal adenocarcinoma
What is Barrett’s esophagus?
When the squamous cell epithelium of the esophagus is replaced by columnar (precancerous) cells from the cardia of the stomach. Columnar cells are used to the acidity.
What are the “typical” symptoms of GERD?
- pyrosis (heartburn)– hallmark*
- worse when supine
- relieved with sitting and antacids
- regurgitation (sour taste in mouth)
What are the “atypical” symptoms of GERD?
- hoarseness
- weight loss
- nocturnal asthma**
What are considered the “alarming” symptoms of GERD?
- dysphagia
- odynophagia
- wight loss
- bleeding
**suspect malignancy or cancer!
What is the first step in diagnosis/treatment of GERD?
Trial PPI and lifestyle modifications for 6 weeks!
ex. avoid recumbency for 3 hours after eating, decrease fat and ETOH intake, weight loss, smoking cessation, avoid food triggers
What is the next step in management if PPI and lifestyle modification fails for GERD symptoms?
EGD with biopsy and manometry
What is the BEST test for the evaluation of GERD, but is often not performed?
24 hour ambulatory pH monitoring
What is the hallmark sign for Barrett’s esophagus?
pt has esophagitis s/sxs for years and then it gets better on its own (sign that squamous cells have switched to columnar cells)
What is the treatment/management for Barrett’s (metaplasia) esophagus?
high dose PPIs bid and increase the frequency of EGDs and biopsies
What is Nissen Fundoplication and when is it considered for treatment?
It is when the stomach is wrapped around the LES, which creates a new sphincter. It is considered once metaplasia (Barrett’s esophagus) is found.
What is the medical term for heartburn?
pyrosis
What is the pathophysiology of achalsia?
There is proximal loss of Auerbach’s plexus, which normally produces nitric oxide to relax the smooth muscle of the LES. Without the nitric oxide, there is increased LES tone (can’t relax) and lack of peristalsis.
What are the most common s/sxs of achalasia?
- dysphagia to both solids and liquids***
- weight loss
- feeling of knot or ball of food stuck
What is the gold standard for diagnosing achalasia and what will it show?
Esophageal manometry!
Shows increased LES pressure > 40 mmHg and decreased peristalsis
What will a barium swallow show in a patient with achalasia?
Bird’s beak appearance (LES narrowing) with proximal esophageal dilation and loss of peristalsis distally
What is the management options for achalasia?
Botulinum toxin injection for temporary relief Nitrates Calcium channel blockers Dilation of LES Myotomy (removal of the sphincter)
What is the etiology of diffuse esophageal spasm?
strong non-peristaltic esophageal contractions
What is the most common s/sx of esophageal spasm?
stabbing chest pain that gets better with nitrates and CCBs
Must rule out a MI!!!!