EXAM #1: PATHOLOGY OF THE ESOPHAGUS Flashcards
What is the definition of odnophasia?
Painful swallowing
What should you think when a patient complains of odnophasia?
Infectious cause
What is the pathologic feature of Achalasia?
Failure of relaxation of the LES
What are the symptoms of Achalasia?
Progressive dysphagia
What causes Achalasia?
1) Idiopathic
2) Degenerative changes leading to decreased myenteric ganglia
3) Secondary causes
What morphology is seen in Achalasia?
Dilated esophagus proximal to the LES
What are patients with Achalasia at risk for?
1) SCC
2) Aspiration
3) Esophagitis
4) Diverticula formation
5) Obstruction
What disease can cause Secondary Achalasia?
Chagas Disease
Trypanosoma cruzi –parasite– that destroys ganglion cells
List the secondary causes of Achalasia.
1) Chagas Disease
2) Disorders of the vagal dorsal motor nuclei
3) Diabetic neuropathy
4) Infiltration disorders
What are the two types of Hiatal Hernias?
1) Sliding*
2) Paraesophageal
*Most common
Which of the hiatal hernias is more dangerous?
Paraesophageal–risk of strangulation
What are the symptoms of a hiatal hernia?
GERD
What is the definition of a diverticula?
Outpouching of the GI tract
What are the three different types of diverticula seen in the esophagus? Which are false and which are true?
1) Zenker- False
2) Traction- True
3) Epiphernic- True
Where is a Zenker diverticula?
Proximal–immediately above the UES
Where are Traction diverticula?
Midportion of the esophagus
Where are Epiphrenic diverticula?
Distal–just above the LES
What is the primary presenting symptom of an esophageal diverticula?
Halatosis
What can cause a Traction Diverticula?
Mediastinal lymph nodes in TB “pulling” the esophagus out
What is a Mallory-Weiss tear?
Longitudinal tear at the gastroesophageal junction
What are the common causes of Mallory-Weiss tears?
1) Alcoholics
2) Bulemia nervosa
3) Hyperemesis gravidarum
What happens when there is rupture of a Mallory-Weiss tear?
Booerhave Syndrome