esophageal disorders Flashcards
esophageal symptoms
Dysphagia, odynophagia (painful swallowing), GERD/”heartburn” symptoms almost always indicate a primary esophageal disorder
-Esophageal dysphagia can be caused by mechanical lesions or by motility disorders
Dysphagia can be worse with solids vs. liquids or issues can be the same given solid or liquid boluses
-Dysphagia can be due to the oropharyngeal phase of swallowing or the esophageal phase of swallowing
Causes of oropharyngeal dysphagia and esophageal dysphageal
-Oropharyngeal dysphagia is caused by a variety of mechanical and neuromuscular conditions:
Drooling, food falling from the mouth, dry mouth, or inability to initiate swallow are hallmarks
-Esophageal dysphagia can be caused by mechanical lesions or by motility disorders
Dysphagia can be worse with solids vs. liquids or issues can be the same given solid or liquid boluses
Neurologic disorders that can cause oropharyngeal dysphagia
Brainstem mass, stroke
ALS, MS, GBS
Parkinson’s disease, Huntington disease
Tardive dyskinesia
Autoimmune issues that can cause oropharyngeal dysphagia
Myopathies, polymyositis
Sjogren’s syndrome, sicca
metabolic disorders that can cause oropharyngeal dysphagia
Thyrotoxicosis, amyloidosis
Cushing disease, Wilson disease
IDs that can cause oropharyngeal dysphagia
Polio, diphtheria, botulism, Lyme disease, syphilis, candida, HSV, CMV
Structural disorders that can cause oropharyngeal dysphagia
Zenker diverticulum Cervical osteophytes, esophageal webs Oropharyngeal tumors Radiation changes Pill ulcer
motility disorders that can cause oropharyngeal dysphagia
Upper esophageal sphincter dysfunction
Causes of Esophageal Dysphagia: Mechanical obstruction: Solids worse than liquids
Schatzki ring – intermittent dysphagia, not progressive
Peptic stricture – chronic heartburn, progressively worse
Esophageal cancer – progressively worse, usually age older than 50yo, smoker/drinker
Eosinophilic esophagitis – young adults, strictures, papules
Causes of Esophageal Dysphagia: Motility disorders: Solid and liquid foods equally
Achalasia – progressive dysphagia
Diffuse esophageal spasm (DES) – intermittent, presents with chest pain
Scleroderma (AI) – chronic heartburn, substernal discomfort
slide 6, dx?
Schatzki ring on barium swallow, ring of esophagus gets pinched down, may regurgitate food bolus, then may swallow just fine
slide 7??
“bird’s beak appearance”: esophageal achalasia
case: hx RA, w. painful swallowing worse over 2 wks, some substernal burning
questions?
worse with laying down
has had Raynaud’s in past
ask what on for RA (naproxen, steroids can affect esophagus)
dx: odynophagia
odynophagia is ??
Often due to infectious etiologies such as ??
This should be in the differential for ??
Odynophagia is sharp, substernal pain on swallowing
-esophageal candida, herpes, or CMV
-immunocompromised patients, HIV patients, etc.
tx empirically
dx studies : Upper Endoscopy (EGD)
Study of choice for evaluating persistent GERD, dysphagia, odynophagia, and structural abnormalities
-Biopsy, cultures, and intervention can be performed if warranted
Barium esophagography
Dysphagia patients often evaluated via barium swallow first before EGD is performed
If a high suspicion exists for a mechanical lesion, EGD often is done first
(intervention can be done at same time)
Esophageal manometry
Determines the etiology of dysphagia in patients where there is no obvious mechanical obstruction
Done pre-op as well prior to anti-reflux surgeries (Nissen fundoplication)
Esophageal pH recording
Provides information regarding esophageal reflux