Gastroenterology - MTB Flashcards
Dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
Odynophagia
pain while swallowing
Alarm symptoms in which endoscopy should be done
Patient complains of dysphagia w/
- weight loss
- blood in stool
- anemia
Achalasia
- inability of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax due to loss of nerve plexus within lower esophagus
- aperistalsis of the esophageal body
- Young patient (under 50)
- Progressive dysphagia to BOTH solids and liquids at the SAME TIME
- No association w/ alcohol and tobacco use
Achalasia
Most accurate test for achalasia
Manometry
Achalasia: diagnostic tests
- Barrium esophagram shows “bird’s beak”
- Manometry shows failure of LES to relax
- CXR shows abnormal widening of esophagus
- Upper endoscopy shows normal mucosa in achalasia but useful to r/o malignancy
Achalasia: Treatment
- Pneumatic balloon: inflatable balloon to enlarge esophagus
- Botulinum toxin: relaxes LES but only lasts for 3-6 months
- Surgical sectioning / myotomy: can help alleviate symptoms
Esophageal Cancer
- age 50 or olrder
- dysphagia FIRST FOR SOLIDS, LATER FOR LIQUIDS
- associated w. alcohol and tobacco use
- more than 5-10 years of GERD symptoms
Best initial test for esophageal cancer
- Barium esophagram
* * but cannot diagnose cancer, need biopsy**
Most accurate test for esophageal cancer
Biopsy
** only biopsy can diagnose cancer
Esophageal Cancer: Diagnostic Tests
- Endoscopy
- Barium testing
- CT and MRI scans to determine extent of spread to surrounding tissues
- PET scan to determine content of anatomic lesions
Esophageal Cancer: Treatment
- No resection = no cure
- Chemotherapy and radiation plus surgery
- Stent placement used for nonresectable lesions to keep esophagus open for palliation
Esophageal Spasm
- sudden onset of chest pain
- precipitate by drinking cold liquids
- EKG and stress test will be normal
Most accurate test to distinguish esophageal spasm and nutcracker esophagus
Manometry
Esophageal Spasm: Treatment
- Treated w/ calcium channel blockers and nitrates (similar to Prinzmetal angina)
43 y/o M recently diagnosed w/ AIDS comes to the ED w/ pain on swallowing that has become progressively worse over the last several weeks. There is no pain when not swallowing. His CD4 count is 43 mm^3. Patient is not currently taking meds. What is the most appropriate next step?
Oral fluconazole
- infectious esophagitis likely esophageal candidias
Pills that cause esophagitis w/ prolonged contact
- Doxycycline
- Alendronate
- KCl
Schatzki ring
- often from acid reflux and associated w. hiatal hernia
- scarring or tightening of distal esophagus (peptic stricture)
- associated w/ intermittent dysphagia
- detected on barium studies
- treated with pneumatic dilitation
Plummer Vinson syndrome
- associated w/ iron deficiency anemia
- glossitis
- can rarely transform in to squamous cell cancer
- seen on barium studies
- treated w/ Fe replacement which may lead to resolution
Zenker diverticulum
- outpocketing of posterior pharyngeal constrictor muscles
- dysphagia, hallitosis, and regurgitation of food
particles - diagnosed w/ barium studies
- repaired w/ surgery
Steakhouse syndrome
- dysphagia from solid food associated with Schatzki ring
Scleroderma
- presents with symptoms of reflux and clear hx of scleroderma or systemic sclerosis
- diagnosed w/ manometry which shows DECREASED LES pressure from inability to close LES
- treat w/ PPIs
Manometry is best test for which conditions?
- Achalasia
- Spasm
- Scleroderma