Fiser Chaper 29. ESOPHAGUS Flashcards
Esophagus wall layers
Mucosa: squamous epithelium
Submucosa
Muscularis propria: longitudinal muscle layer
(no serosa)
Upper 1/3 and lower 2/3 esophagus
Upper 1/3: striated muscle
Lower 2/3: smooth muscle
Esophagus blood supply
Cervical: inferior thyroid artery
Thoracic esophagus: directly off aorta
Abdominal: left gastric and inferior phrenic arteries
Esophagus venous drainage
Hemi-azygous and azygous veins
Esophagus lymphatic drainage
Upper 2/3 drains cephalad
Lower 1/3 caudad
Right and left vagus nerve
Right travels on posterior portion of stomach as it exits chest; becomes celiac plexus; has criminal nerve of Grassi which can cause persistently high acid levels postop if left undivided after vagotomy
Left vagus travels on anterior portion of stomach; goes to liver and biliary tree
Thoracic duct
Travels from R to L at T4-5 as it ascends mediastinum; inserts into L subclavian vein
Where does thoracic duct enter into?
L subclavian vein
UES and LEs
UES: Cricopharyngeus (circular muscle which prevents air swallowing), 15cm from incisors, gets RLN innervation, most common site of esophageal perf (usually occurs with EGD); aspiration with brainstem stroke is due to failure of cricopharyngeus to relax
LES: anatomic zone of high pressure, NOT an anatomis sphincter; 40cm from incisors, relaxation mediated by inhibitory neurons, normal contracted at resting state (prevents reflux)
Normal UES and LES pressure
UES: 60mmHg at rest, 15mmHg with food bolus
LES: 15mmHgb at rest, 0mmHg with food bolus
Both are normally contracted between meals
Anatomic areas of esophageal narrowing (and perf)
- Cricopharyngeus muscle
- Compression by left mainstem bronchus and aortic arch
- Diaphragm
Swallowing stages
CNS initates swallow
- Primary peristalsis: food boluw and wallow initiation
- Secondary peristalsis: incomplete emptying and esophageal distension, propagating waes
- tertiary peristalsis: non-propagating, non-peristalsis (dysfunction)
Swallowing mechanism
Soft palate occludes nasopharynx
Larynx rises and airway opening is blocked by epiglottis
Cricopharyngeus relaxes
Pharyngeal contraction moves food into esophagus
LES relaxes soon after initiation of swallow (vagus mediated)
Surgical approach for different regions of esophagus
Cervical: Left
Upper 2/3 thoracic: Right (avoids aorta)
Lower 1/3 thoracic: Left
Hiccoughs causes
Gastric distension, temperature changes, EtOH, tobacco
Reflex arc: vagus, phrenic, sympathetic chain T6-12
Esophageal dysfunction primary/secondary
Primary: achalasia, DES, nutracker
Secondary: GERD (most common), scleroderma
Best test for heartburn
Endoscopy
Best test for dysphagia or odynophagia
Barium swallow (better at picking up masses)
Meat impaction dx and tx
EGD
Pharyngoesophageal disorders
trouble in transferring food from mouth to esophagus
Most commonly neuromuscular disease (MG, muscular dystrophy, stroke)
Liquids worse than solids
Plummer-Vinson syndrome
Upper esophageal web; IDA
Plummer-Vinson syndrome
Tx: dilation, Fe, need to screen for oral Ca
Upper esophageal dysphagia, choking hallitosis
Zenker’s diverticulum: caused by increased pressure during swallowing
Is a false diverticulum located posteriorly, located between pharyngeal constrictors and cricopharyngeus
Caused by failure of cricopharyngeus to relax
Dx: barium swallow, manometry, risk for perforation with EGD
Tx: Cricopharyngeal myotomy; can also resect or suspend (removal not necessary); via L cervical incision, leave drains, POD1 esophagogram
Regurgitation of undigested food, dysphagia, in some with recent inflammation/granulomatous disease/tumor
Traction diverticulum
True diverticulum, usually lies lateral and in mid-esophagus
Tx: Excision and primary closure if symptomatic, may need palliative therapy (XRT) if due to invasive ca; leave alone if symptomatic
Asymptomatic or dysphagia and regurgitation, found to have diverticulum and achalasia
Epiphrenic diverticulum
Rare, associated with esophageal motility disorders like achalasia
Most commonly in distal 10cm of esophagus
D: Esophagram and manomery
Tx: Diverticulectomy and esophageal myotomy on side OPPOSITE the diverticulectomy if symptomatic
Dysphagia, regurgitation, weight loss, respiratory symptoms
Achalasia
Caused by lack of peristalsis and failure of LES to relax after food bolus
Secondary to neuronal degeneration in muscle wall
Dx: Manometry shows increased LES pressure and incomplete LES relaxation, with NO peristalsis
Can get tortuous dilated esophagus and epiphrenic diverticula; bird’s beak appearance
Tx: Balloon dilatation of LES is effective in 80%; nitrates and CCBs; If medical tx and dilation fail, Heller myotomty (L thoracotomy, myotomy of lower esophagus ONLY, also partial Nissen)
T cruzi can produce similar symptoms
Chest pain, dysphagia, psychiatric history, manometry shows frequent strong non-peristaltic unorganized contractions and LES relaxes normally
DES
Tx: CCB, nitrates; Heller myotomy ifthose fail (myotomy of UPPER AND LOWER esophagus); surgery usually less effective than for achalasia
Chest pain and dysphagia, manometry shows high-amplitude PERISTALTIC contractions and LES relaxes normally
Nutcracker esophagus
Tx: CCB, nitrates; Heller myotomy if those fail (myotomy of UPPE AND LOWER esophagus); surgery usually less effective than for achalasia
Dysphagia and loss of LES tone with massive reflux and strictures
Scleroderma: fibrous replacement of smooth muscle
Tx: Esophagectomy usual if severe