GastroExam1 Flashcards
What is acid reflux?
When food moves backwards into the esophagus
What is pyrosis?
Also called heartburn, described as burning retrosternal discomfort that may move up and down the chest like a wave
Pertinent positives of heartburn/pyrosis are?
Aggravation by bending forward, straining, or lying recumbent, worse after meals
Relieved by upright posture, swallowing salvia/water, or more reliably antacids
Dysphagia to what suggests a motility disorder?
Solid and liquids
Dysphagia to solids that later involves liquids suggest what?
Mechanical Esophageal Obstruction
How will a patient with achalasia typically present?
Progressive dysphagia to liquids and solids, regurgitation
Occasional chest pain
What age does achalasia typically affect?
Ages 25-60
In achalasia, the idiopathic loss of what causes failure of LES relaxation and a lack of peristalsis
Auerbach’s Plexus
What does this show/how do you describe the radiograph and what disease is associated with it?
Bird/Parrot Beak
Achalasia
For achalasia, the treatment goal and treatment options are?
Goal - Decrease LES pressure so the sphincter no longer impedes the passage of the ingested material
Treatment options:
Mechanical - Dilation or surgery
Surgery - Heller Myotomy most effective!
Pharmacological - Botulinum toxin for temporary relief, oral nitrates
Typical presentation of diffuse esophageal spasm?
Complaints of stabbing chest pain that is worse with hot or cold liquids and food
What does this show/how do you describe the radiograph and what disease is associated with it?
Corkscrew esophageal appearance which indicates diffuse esophageal spasm
What is the goal and treatment of diffuse esophageal spasm?
Goal - Provide relief of symptoms
Treatment - Antidepressants, low-dose tricyclics (imipramine)
Persistent symptoms can try CCB -diltiazem
If no relief from others, then endoscopic treatment - botulinum toxin injection and pneumatic dilation
What is neurogenic dysphagia?
Dysphagia to liquid and solids
Weakness and incoordination of the muscles in pharynx that propel food into the esophagus
Results from faulty transmission of nerve impulses to pharyngeal muscles. Generally caused by neuromuscular diseases such as myasthenia gravis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or stroke
What is Zenker Diverticulum?
Sac-like outpouching of the mucosa and submucosa
How does Zenker Diverticulum typically present?
Regurgitation of undigested food and liquid several hours after eating, foul odor of breath
Should be suspected in middle age or older adults with progressive dysphagia (usually solids)
What does this show and what disease is it an indication of?
It shows a sac-like outpouching which indicates Zenker Diverticulum
What is the gold standard diagonostic procedure for Zenker Diverticulum? What is a second diagnostic that is easy to do?
Gold standard is EGD (Upper Endoscopy)
Another diagnostic is barium swallow
What is the treatment for Zenker Diverticulum?
Observation if small and asymptomatic (<1cm divertitula)
Otherwise can do diverticulectomy, cricopharyngeal myotomy if symptomatic and >2cm diverticula
Zenker Diverticulum normally emerges from this area of weakness in the muscular wall of the hypopharynx which is known as?
Killian’s Triangle
How do patients with esophageal stricture normally present?
They present with solid food dysphagia and have a history of GERD. Scarring is typically at the distal end of the esophagus due to chronic exposure from GERD
What is a thin (<2 mm) eccentric membrane that protrudes into the esophageal lumen called?
Esophageal web
What is always found in association with a hiatal hernia and recognized as a thin membrane (2 mm) that constricts the esophageal lumen and can decrease the diameter of the lumen to 13 mm or less?
Schatzki ring (AKA B ring)
A patient presents with Zenker’s diverticulum, dermatologic and immunologic disorders, and iron deficiency anemia. What diagnosis would you lean towards?
Esophageal web
What is Plummer-Vinson Syndrome?
Triad of iron deficiency anemia, dysphagia, and cervical esophageal web
Who is more affected by esophageal strictures/Plummer-Vinson Syndrome, men or women? At what age do esophageal strictures normally affect these patients?
White women in the 4th to 7th decade of life, though can occur in children and adolescents
What two main things are Schatzki rings normally associated with?
Hiatus Hernia
Esosinophilic Esophagitis
67 year old patient presents to you with intermittent, nonprogressive dysphagia for solid food. He recently went to Texas de Brazil and wolfed down enough meat to make it worth his money. What diagnosis would you lean towards?
Esophageal stricture - Schatzki ring “steakhouse syndrome”
How will a patient with esophageal varices present?
Hematemesis, melena, hematochezia, possibly hypovolemia. Typically have cirrhosis
What labs would you get for esophageal varices?
Albumin/totel serum protein PT/INR Bilirubin AST/ALT ALP GGT ANA AMA Ferritin/Iron Hep Panel A1-antitrypsin USg CT Scan
That are the treatments for esophageal varices?
Treatment of choice - Nonselective beta blockers (propranolol, nadolol)
Isosorbide
Fluoroquinolones
Endoscopic banding/IV octreotide
Transjugular intrahepatic shunts
A 21 year old college students comes to your clinic drunk out of their mind. They present with hematemesis, vomiting, and retching after alcohol intake. Patient endorses this happening before when they go out to party and drink. What would you diagnose and how would you treat it?
Mallory Weiss Tear
No treatment generally needed, depends on patient’s presentation
How will patient with esophageal neoplasm present?
Progressive dysphagia to solids along with weight loss, chest pain, hoarseness, reflux, hematemesis.
What is most common cause of esophageal neoplasms in US? What is it usually a complication of?
Adenocarcinoma is most common cause
Usually a complication of GERD/Barrett’s esophagus
What are esophageal infections normally caused by and how would you treat it?
HSV-1
Acyclovir
A patient with HIV presents with odynophagia, dysphagia, chest pain, yellow-white mucosal plaques. What would you think the culprit is and how would you treat?
Candidiasis
Flucanazole