GI 1 Flashcards
Tracheoesophageal Fistula
Communication between the trachea and esophagus (that is not usually there)
Can be Congenital/Acquired
Often lead to severe/fatal pulmonary complications
How does Tracheoesophageal Fistula appear on radiographic image
Contrast media will show contrast outlining areas of communication
Esophageal Atresia
Congenital: Failure of esophagus to develop as a continuous passage. Ends in a pouch.
Does Esophageal Atresia require surgery?
Yes, immediately otherwise the patient will starve to death
What is the radiographic appearance of esophageal atresia
Contrast will show the esophagus end abruptly
What is GERD short for
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
What is GERD pathologically
A broad term for any type of reflux of stomach content…stomach acid entering esophagus
What often happens along with GERD
Haital hernia, reflux esophagitis, superficial ulcerations, burning chest pain
What is the radiographic appearance of GERD
(Using barium study): The barium will re-enter the esophagus/streaks or dots of barium will remain indicating erosions/ulcerations
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
Radiographic appearance of Dysphagia
STRUCTURAL abnormalities/masses. Barium cannot be swallowed as per norm
What is the most common site of Esophageal Carcinoma
Esophagogastric junction
What is typically seen progressively with esophageal carcinoma
progressive dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
What is strongly correlated (as a cause) to esophageal carcinoma
Alcohol and smoking
How will esophageal carcinoma appear on an image
Flat, plaque-like lesions with central ulceration
Irregularity in esophageal wall
Constriction
Thickening of lumen
Zenker’s Diverticulum
Small bulging pouches in the lining of the digestive system
Why may zenker’s diverticulum develop
Posterior outpouching may occur de to the circopharyngeal muscle in the hypopharynx doesn’t work properly.
What is the major danger in a patient with Zenker’s Diverticulum
Aspiration
Esophageal Varices
Dilated veins in the wall of the esophagus
What is the most common cause of Esophageal Varices
Portal Hypertension
What is a notable feature radiographically of esophageal varices
Serpiginous (wavy border)/thickening of folds…seen as round or oval filling defects
Hiatal Hernia
Part of the stomach protrudes through diaphragm
What is the most common pathology seen on GI exams
Hiatal Hernia
Is a Hiatal Hernia always symptomatic
No, it can slide and sometimes return to normal position as well as produce minimal or no symptoms
What is a term applied to a variety of birth defects that involve abnormal development of the diaphragm
Diaphragmatic Hernia (Congenital)
What is a Diaphragmatic Hernia
Malformation of the diaphragm which allows abdominal content into the chest which then impedes proper development
When might abdominal organs prolapse into the thoracic cavity
Then there is an ACQUIRED Diaphragmatic Hernia… usually from trauma
Achalasia
Functional obstruction of the distal esophagus
How will Achalasia look on image
Progressively dilated esophagus with a narrowing distally
How do foreign bodies get introduced into the GI tract
Aspiration, Ingestion, Penetrated
Do you always have to remove a foreign body surgically
No, sometimes they will pass themselves
Do you always retrieve foreign bodies through the mouth
No, depending on position it can be rectally or surgically as well
What is most common cause of a perforated esophagus
Severe vomiting or coughing
What does a perforated esophagus look like on an image
Free air in mediastinum or periesophageal soft tissues…Lucent line if there is an intra mural dissection
Situs Inversus
Body organs on opposite side from normal
Pyloric Stenosis
Occurs when two muscular layers of the pylorus become hyperplastic/hypertrophic (constricting the passageway)
What are radiographic indications of pyloric stenosis
Filling defect, Mushroom sign
Peptic
Pertains to digestion and acid
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Ulcers within the stomach and duodenum. The most common cause of upper GI bleeding
Duodenal Ulcers
Most common manifestation of peptic ulcer disease
Where are most Duodenal ulcers located
Duodenal bulb
Gastric Ulcers are usually where
In the lesser curvature
What percentage of Gastric Ulcers are malignant
5%
How does a gastric ulcer present on an image
A collection of contrast may stay in them, or erosions are small that show as a dot with a halo
Carcinoma of the Stomach
Stomach cancer
What type of carcinoma is usually in the stomach
adenocarcinomas
How may stomach carcinoma present on an image
Uneven stomach contours, narrowing, polypoid masses indenting the stomach, irregularity/ulceration
