Gastrointestinal: Luminal, Esophagus Flashcards
Esophageal A ring
The dynamic muscular ring just above the vestibule
Esophageal B ring
The fixed mucosal ring just below the vestibule at the GE junction
Note: If this narrows and becomes symptomatic, its called a Schatzki ring.
At what point does the esophageal B ring become a Schatzki ring?
Symptomatic dysphagia
AND
Narrowing to <13 mm
Esophageal Z line
The squamocolumnar junction between the esophageal and gastric epithelium (only seen on endoscopy)
What is the upper esophageal sphincter made of?
The cricopharynxgeus muscle (at the level of C5-C6)
How does the larynx move while swallowing?
The larynx elevates and moves anteriorly while swallowing
Which hand should the barium cup go in while doing LPO and RPO swallows?
Whichever hand is closer to the detector (e.g. if RPO, put the barium in the pts right hand)
Esophagram demonstrates a high stricture and hiatal hernia…
Think Barretts esophagus in the setting of esophageal reflux
Feline esophagus (fine transverse folds in the mid and lower esophagus), suggestive of reflux esophagitis
Esophagram demonstrates a narrowing with irregular contour and abrupt (shouldered) edges…
Think cancer
Esophagram demonstrates irregular narrowing in the mid esophagus with shouldering in a pt with a history of smoking and alcohol use disorder…
Think squamous cell carcinoma
Esophagram demonstrates irregular narrowing in the distal esophagus with shouldering in a pt with a history of longstanding esophageal reflux…
Think adenocarcinoma
What distinguishes T3 from T4 esophageal cancer?
Whether there is invasion into adjacent structures on CT (which would make it stage 4)
What are the major types of hiatal hernia?
- Type 1 sliding hiatal hernia (GE junction above the diaphragm)
- Type 2 paraesophageal (GE junction remains at the diaphragm)
- Type 3 mixed
- Type 4 (additional organs herniated through)
Nissen fundoplication
When the gastric fungus is wrapped 360 degrees around the distal esophagus to reinforce the lower esophageal sphincter
What is the major early complication of a fundoplication
Esophageal obstruction due to post operative edema or a too tight fundoplication
Note: This is most common around week 2 post op.
What are the two main indications for a fundoplication?
- Hiatal hernia
- Reflux
What is the most common reason for recurrent reflux s/p fundoplication?
Slipped Nissen (telescoping of the GE junction through the fundoplication wrap)
What is the most common reason for a slipped Nissen s/p fundoplication?
A short esophagus (e.g. a hiatal hernia that is fixed/non-reducible and is greater than 5 cm)
What is the treatment for short esophagus?
Collis gastroplasty (esophageal lengthening and fundoplication)
How can you tell that a fundoplication wrap has slipped?
Fundoplication should cause a distal esophageal narrowing of <2 cm (anything longer than that suggests a slipped wrap)
Can you vomit after a fundoplication?
No
Where is the GE junction s/p fundoplication?
At the level of the diaphragm
Note: If the GE junction is above the diaphragm, the fundoplication has failed (recurrent hiatal hernia).
Risk factors for esophageal candidiasis
- Immunocompromised (HIV, transplant pts)
- Motility disorders (achalasia, scleroderma)
Classic imaging findings in esophageal candidiasis
- Discrete plaque-like lesions
- Mucosa with nodularity, granularity, and fold thickening
- Shaggy esophagus with irregular luminal surface
Asymptomatic elderly pt
Think glycogenic acanthosis (epithelial collections of glycogen)
Note: This looks like candidiasis, but occurs in asymptomatic elderly people.
What are the major causes of esophageal ulcers?
- Herpes (multiple small)
- CMV/HIV (large flat)
- Crohns (rare)