GI Flashcards
How do you take an abdominal pain history?
https://geekymedics.com/gi-history/
Site abdo pain examples
Epigastric pain/acute abdo - pancreatitis, gastro duodenal ulcers, perforation
Groin lump - hernias
RIF - appendicitis
LIF - IBD, diverticular disease
RUQ - gallstones
From epigastric to whole of abdomen- peritonitis (if spread to chest then cardiac)
Other - intestinal obstruction, stoma’s
Onset epigastric pain examples
Sudden - perforation of viscus (like ulcer)
Maximal intensity at 10-20 mins - acute pancreatitis or billary colic
Maximal intensity at Hours - cholecystitis, hepatitis, pneumonia
Epigastric pain character examples
Crushing or tight - cardiac (spread ro jaw neck and arm)
Sharp/burning - peptic Ucler, gastritis, duodenitis
Deep ‘boring’ - pancreatitis (with spread to back)
Retrosternal - oesophagitis
Relieving and aggravating factors epigastric pain examples
Sitting forward - acute pancreatitis better
Eating - duodenal better and gastric worse
Movements - peritonitis worse
Deep breathing - pleural inflammation worse
Fatty meals - billary colic worse
Which epigastric pain conditions are likely to present to hospital?
Pancreatitis, perforated peptic ulcer and MI
What other symptoms are common with epigastric pain?
Nausea/vomit - acute pancreatitis amd inferior MI(irritation of diaphragm)
After vomit - pain - boerhaave’s syndrome - perforation of oesophagus
Fever - infection - hepatitis or peritonitis
Dyspepsia- heartburn, bitter taste - GORD
Change in stool - pale - bile blocked or if stetorrhea so float, pale and foul smell - pancreatic exocrine insuffiency or billary disease
Cough - basal pneumonia
How do you perform an abdo exam?
https://learn-eu-central-1-prod-fleet01-xythos.content.blackboardcdn.com/5bfe8efc36910/2138481?X-Blackboard-Expiration=1661709600000&X-Blackboard-Signature=KltoaT1A5woXZmZBxdU8wbjCWuyWLnQAwInxlDTlLI4%3D&X-Blackboard-Client-Id=160309&response-cache-control=private%2C%20max-age%3D21600&response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%2A%3DUTF-8%27%27Examination%2520Checklists%2520-%2520Cardiovascular%252C%2520Respiratory%252C%2520GI%252C%2520CNS%2520%2528Cranial%2520and%2520Peripheral%2529%2520%25282%2529.pdf&response-content-type=application%2Fpdf&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEI3%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaDGV1LWNlbnRyYWwtMSJGMEQCIDSmSZ8oiE52YgmYZLM%2FDu6URxmEi%2Fo%2BZ3RmeH6mp%2BXqAiANbVsFDKZMpZgfMpO3Xh2n5edXNmTty4m8KDrq%2B7tncSrcBAgWEAIaDDYzNTU2NzkyNDE4MyIMvkVPrVPr%2FqjIgu2gKrkEKlGdVedOq%2Bh1nhykOXA6EPzl3%2F%2FU5ZCMweyMcfOE2phDzJtQoCGf2CpsIOHKoCrwEq7ON7e%2F%2ButXjYeD61oxEheoXPTe4Jq5glJz3gH177qwiInl6%2B%2Fg9Ys1AMoguPJX%2FoH4UjuhzUQ%2F77p%2Fmn6NbYYjQSSZyCEAEC5ADdd5SFIzc%2FCF58Rfn9kcHQ7JQB66g3K4C%2BfDPJX5MU8ZkYMiueFGsjBmES%2FcAKNjpM5rg3PskqQJtYDWKBMz20C9LE4XK17JWBt3L9qhHs%2FPbFmZpFJ9L2UxC5%2BzbNDh7HybcDJ71VG30e8aaDD7H%2BWiEPjaPYO6M5xKJDJNJyB1hE0WPdDspj4%2FuxCDEbBlfLVHqkE%2FH477ynrVwY37wQjsBWsvKq4bbcpOV1QmChCtYLl%2BbSeBJPaGjnd6d%2FNuLOomTZkjJj5aomMccWP0U45Q7qZDKCwDiXcXFODdiCPBIU5BxgHIwy6rkE0fU2KE%2Bwyu5HS3VEpeEmRxlFmqKdPqOI%2BLctgrh1%2BtWfaRam5r1Di2YhClSaw5Oe%2Bp7aXAvB0rQLv04VETbGXnIBzag7RklokN2whTCc7hWR8l9JSYC3bmvj3Fc0XnBHQPjHUrdOuXB%2B7DlHN3ykRb5G7tNC0CIrPCZphhxJA2FeJ%2FgnujP6ZIM6il05uftcJybUUlE0erFucXcciwxjU6MlNXVt5U7PMcliUL5421%2B2DEqQ9kdleZidkfvmGFhyO%2BgxGxc2OFmU4gdfjRrOPcXzEwxNStmAY6qgFJqtFnWKU3L282Tsyx5A4HOWD9U2MmepYAKxDQ5jGlEPg7lzsiGuNVlYKeoEVVEcdX0s%2BMQVcMEgsxbbK4JRvh5UIwHQcV7haHVxX0yPa7dJkcYG59Qhnov%2BpNklLn4HzSGxhyGNue1VVnxzx5CNBP1osGH8gGE1CF%2F4Jk20r828SPkYMJEMAdreRBk9GkZdVdLAx5%2BWgBBKzWtX8%2FL1BDROLOI0l9e1mpQQ%3D%3D&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Date=20220828T120000Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=21600&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAZH6WM4PL7LRB5MCL%2F20220828%2Feu-central-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Signature=7b6ab6eb065679004e4923c58c76396ede6f9f1407044089ee918300dfeca4f8
What are common acute surgical conditions?
Intestinal obstruction
Rupture AAA
Ruptured ectopic pregnancy
Bleeding gastric ulcer
Peritonitis
Ischaemic bowel
What is the common presentation for intestinal obstruction?
Small bowel - peri umbilical pain suddenly, (early) nausea and vomit, abdo tender and distended, more younger
High pitched bowel sounds, absolute constipation
Large bowel - periumbilical pain, abdo tender and distended, N+V, constipation then diarrhoea, older
How do you manage an intestinal obstruction?
Diagnosed - x ray - distended loops peripherally or centrally
Air enema or surgery
What are the causes of an intestinal obstruction?
Small bowel - intra abdominal adhesions (fibrous bands between organs or tissues or both), prior surgery, incarcerated hernias, meckels diverticulum, strictures from crohns, tumours, foreign body
Large - colorectal cancer, caecal or sigmoid Volvulus, strictures from diverticulitis
What are the common presentations of an upper GI haemorrhage?
Haematemesis - coffee ground like as partially digested blood
Altered bowel habits - dark tarry stools (malaena) or haematochezia - fresh blood
Epigastric abdo pain
Syncope due ro hypovolaemia or cerebral hypoperfusion
Tachycardia
Hypotension
How do you manage an upper GI haemorrhage?
FBC UE
Endosocpy
Prophylactic antibiotics
Medication
What are the common causes of an upper GI haemorrhage?
Peptic ulcer
Mallory-Weiss tears
Varices
Oesophagitis
What are the common presentations of stomach cancer?
Similar pain to peptic ulcer
How do you manage a patient with stomach cancer?
FBC, tumour markers,X ray, CT/MRI, endoscopy/colonscopy, TNM, Duke’s
Surgical resection, chemo, radio, palliative
What are the causes of stomach cancer?
Smoker, high diet, h.pylori, men, FHx
How does oesophageal cancer present?
Dysphagia
Epigastric pain
Malaena
Haematemesis
How do you manage oesophageal cancer?
FBC, tumour markers,X ray, CT/MRI, endoscopy/colonscopy, TNM, Duke’s
Surgical resection, chemo, radio, palliative
What are the common presentations of HPB?
Hepato - hepatomegaly, jaundice, unintentional weight loss, painless, ascites
Pancreatic - jaundice, vague symptoms
What is the management of HPB cancer?
FBC, tumour marker (CA19-9 - pancreatic)X ray, CT/MRI, endoscopy/colonscopy, TNM, Duke’s
Surgical resection, chemo, radio, palliative
What are the causes of HPB cancer?
men, fh, smoker! chronic pancreatitis
What are the presentations of colorectal cancer?
Unintentional weight loss, unexplained abdo pain, PR bleeding,, change in bowel habitn(ride sided - late change, left -early), anaemia, tenesmus
What is the management of colorectal cancer?
FBC, tumour marker (CEA), X ray, CT/MRI, endoscopy/colonscopy, TNM, Duke’s
Surgical resection, chemo, radio, palliative
What are the causes of colorectal cancer?
FHx, IBD, polypodies syndrome, diet snd lifestyle (low fibre), coeliac (small)
What is the common presentation of different hernias?
Not incarcerated - fullness/swelling, gets larger when intra abdo pain increases, aches
Incarcerated - pain, nor moveable, N+V, symptomatic sx if ischaemic
What is the management of hernias?
Reduce it and cut out any ischaemia bowel
What are the causes of hernias?
Weakness in cavity - congenital (if processes vaginalis doesn’t close - connection from peritoneal cavity to scotum), post surgery,
Increases in abdo pressure - obesity, weightlifting, constipation/cough, pregnancy
What is the presentation of gallstones?
RUQ - shoulder tip
Complication - billary colic - RUQ pain after eating fatty pain, acute cholecystitis - murphy’s sign, acute ascending cup,angitis - pain, inflammation and jaundice (Charcot)
What is the management of gallstones?
USS (radio lucent), analgesia, biliary colic and acute cholecystitis- elective cholecystectomy, ascending cholangitis - Iv antibiotics, fluid amd relieve obstruction
What are the causes of gallstones?
High cholesterol, overweight, 40\5., woman, pregnancy,
What are the common presentations of acute pancreatitis?
Epigastric pain radiating to back, vomit, Cullen and Grey turners
What is the management of acute pancreatitis?
CR/MRI to detect necrosis, raised lipases
Fluids and organ support
What are the causes of acute pancreatitis?
Gallstones, alcohol, trauma, steroids, mumps, autoimmune, hyperlipidaemia, drugs
What are the presentation f intrahafominap/subcutaneous and peri anal abscess or sepsis?
What is the management of a patient with an abscess/sepsis?
What are the causes of abscess/sepsis?
What are the common presentations requiring a stoma?
What is the initial management with a stoma?
How are wounds managed?
Why might someone require a stoma?
What are the causes of oesophageal cancer?
Smoker, Barrett’s
what is the pathophysiology of a bowel obstruction?
mechanical blockage of bowel..gross dilation of proximal limb of bowel…increased peristalysis, secretion of electrolyte rich fluid into bowel
what is the most common cause of bowel obstruction
- small bowel
- large bowel?
small - adhesions and hernia
large - malignancy, diverticular disease and volvulus
what are the causes of bowel obstruction
-intraluminal
-mural
-extramural?
intraluminal - gallstone ileus, foreign body, faecal impaction
mural - cancer, strictures, intessusception, meckel’s diverticulum,lymphoma
extramural - hernia, adhesion, volvulus
what are the cardinal features of bowel obstruction?
abdo pain -colicky or cramp
vomit - early if proximal and late if distal
constipation - vice versa
distension
what may be found on examination of someone with bowel obstruction?
distension
cachexia - malignancy
previous surgical scars
hernia
tympanic sound on percussion
tinkling bowel signs
differentials for bowel obstruction
paralytic ileus
toxic megacolon
constipation
which investigations are required for suspected bowel obstruction?
urgent bloods - fbc, ue (lots of third space losses), crp, lfts and group and save
venous blood gas - lactate shows signs of ischaemia
imaging - CT with contrast of abdo and pelvis, may use abdo x ray (>3cm in small, >6cm in large, >9cm in caecum)
how do small and large bowel look different on x ray?
small - central, valvulae conniventes (completely cross bowel )
large - peripheral, haustra (halfway)
what is the initial management of a patient with bowel obstruction?
IV fluid rescusitation (to drip)
urinary catheter
NBM
NG tube (and suck - to decompress bowel)
analgesia and anti emetics
what are some red flag sx of bowel obstruction indicative of ischaemia?
focal tenderness, pyrexia and pain worse on movement #
how is the management of bowel obstruction decided?
if previous surgery resulting in adhesion - treated conservatively unless evidence of ischaemia
if not resolves within 24 hrs with conservative management…water soluble contrast…not reach colon by 6 hours..surgery
if not had surgery and has obstruction - usually requires surgery
if needs surgical correction, ie strangular hernia - surgery
fails to improve within 48 hours -surgery
what are the 3 most common complications of bowel obstruction?
bowel ischaemia
bowel perforation
dehydration
define melena
black tarry stools with offensive smell - upper gi bleed..alteration and degradation of blood by digestive ienzymes
define melena
black tarry stools with offensive smell - upper gi bleed..alteration and degradation of blood by digestive ienzymes
- PID, liver disease and gastric cancer…confirmed by DRE
how can liver cirrhosis result in melena?
varices- dilation of the porto-systemic anastomses in oesophagus…due to portal hypertension secondary to liver cirrhosis which can rupture
what features are important to ellicit in a patient with melena?
colour and tecture
abdo pain, dyspepsia, dysphagia
smoking/alcohol
steroids, nsaids, anticoag
which investigations are required for melena?
FBC, UE, LFT, clotting - drop in Hb, Liver damage, rise in urea:creatinine ratio
group and save and 4 units cross matched
ABG
OGD or CT abdo with contrast
how is melena managed?
A to E approach
if PID = injections of adrenaline and cauterisation, high dose PPI IV
if varices - endoscopic banding, prophylactic abx, somatostain analogue (reduce splanchnic blood flow), tube inserted to compress bleeding
if GI malignancy - biopsies, surgical/oncological management
- may require blood transfusion and correction of coagualtion
what are the causes of Gi perforation?
diverticulitis
PUD
Gi malignancy
iatrogenic - endoscopy
trauma
foreign body
appendicits or meckel’s diverticulum
mesenteric ischaemia
toxic mgacolon
excess vomiting
what are the clinical features of GI perforation?
pain is rapid and sharp
systemically unwell
malaise
vomit
lethargy
features of peritonism - localised, generalised rigid abdomen
which investigations are required for perforation?
FBC, UE, LFT, clotting, G and S
usually raised WCC + CRP
CT scan - free air
which investigations are required for perforation?
FBC, UE, LFT, clotting, G and S
usually raised WCC + CRP
CT scan - free air
which investigations are required for perforation?
FBC, UE, LFT, clotting, G and S
usually raised WCC + CRP
CT scan - free air
which investigations are required for perforation?
FBC, UE, LFT, clotting, G and S
usually raised WCC + CRP
CT scan - free air
which investigations are required for perforation?
FBC, UE, LFT, clotting, G and S
usually raised WCC + CRP
CT scan - free air
which investigations are required for perforation?
FBC, UE, LFT, clotting, G and S
usually raised WCC + CRP
CT scan - free air
how is gi perforation managed?
broad spectum abx
NBM
NG tube
IV fluid resuscitation
analgesia
repair of perforated viscus and washout
localised diverticular perforation and sealed upper gi perforation and elderly patients - conservative
what presentations require urgent intervention?
bleeding so in hypovolaemic shock- ruptured AAA- refer to vascular team and immediate surgery
- ruptured ectopic pregnancy
- bleeding gastric ulcer
- trauma
perforated viscus = peritonitis
- peptic ulceration
- obstruction
- diverticular disease
- IBD
lay still, tachy and hypo, rigid abdomen, involuntary guarding, reduced bowelsounds
ischaemic bowel - severe out of proportion, raised lactate, diffuse pain,CT with contrast
others which are less acute - colic - can not get comfortable
- peritonism (not peritonitis)
which investigations are required for acute abdo pain?
urine dipstick - infection, haematuria, preg
ABG - septic or bledding
routine blood - fbc, ue,lft, crp, amylase,group and save
blood cultures - infection
imaging - erect chest x ray for free air
- USS for KUB - hydronephrosis, nilliary tree and liver for gallstones, transvaginal for tubo-ovarian pathology
- possible CT
what is the general management of acute abdo pain?
IV access - large bore cannulas
NBM
analgesia
anti emetics
imaging
VTE prophylaxis
urine dip
bloods
catheter
NG tube
Iv fluids
what are the emergency causes of haematemesis?
oesophageal varices
gastric ulceration
what are the non emergency causes of haematemesis?
mallory-weiss tear
oesophagitis
gastritis
gastric malignancy
meckel’s diverticulum
define oesophageal varices
porto systemic venous anastomoses in oesophagus
dilated veins prone to rupture
common underlying cause - alcoholic liver disease
what is the first line investigation of a patient with haematemesis and history of alcohol abuse?
URGENT OGD
where can gastric ulceration most commonly occur?
blood vessels supplying:
lesser curve of stomach
posterior duodenum
define mallory weiss tear
forceful vomiting causes a tear in epithelial lining of the oesophagus
most cases benign but if prolonged - OGD
what are the causes of oesophagitis?
GORD
infections such as candida albicans
medications - bisphosphonates
radiotherapy
ingestion of toxic substances
crohns disease
what features are important in a history with haematemesis?
timing, frequency, volume
history of dyspepsia, dysphagia
past medical hx and smoking and alcohol
use of steroids, nsaids, anticoagulations, bisphosphonates
which investigations are required for haematemesis?
fbc may not show anaemia
LFT - liver damage
group and save and 4 units cross matched
OGD
chest x ray - pneumoperitoneum
what system is used to risk stratify patients admitted with upper GI bleed?
glasgow-blatchford bleeding score
how are patients with haematemesis managed?
rapid A->E
-2 large bore Iv cannulas
- fluid resuscitation
- crossmatch blood
- OGD
how is peptic ulcer managed?
injections of adrenaline, cauterisation of bleeding
high dose PPI
H.pylori eradication
how is oesophageal varices managed?
blood products
prophylactic abx
endoscopic banding
somatostatin analogues or vapressors
how is an active bleed managed?
angio-embolisation
what are the causes of dysphagia?
oesophageal malignancy
benign strictures
extrinsic compression - thyroid
pharngeal pouch
foreign body
post stroke
achalasia
myasthenia gravis
MS
what is the medical term for pain when swallowing?
odynophagia
what sx do you need to ask about with a patient who has dysphagia?
regurgiation
sensation of food getting stuck
hoarse voice
weight loss
referred ear or neck pain
which investigations are required for dysphagia?
endoscopy +- biopsy
FBC, LFT
barium swallow
define gastric outlet obstruction
mechanical obstruction between gastric pyloris and proximal duodeum so stomach can not empty
what are some causes of gastric outlet obstruction?
peptic ulcer, gastric cancer/small bowel cancer, iatrogenic
what are the clinical features of a patient presenting with gastric outlet obstruction?
epigastric pain
postprandial vomiting
early satiety
dehydrated
hypovolaemic
tachycardic
tender upper abdomen
medical term for delayed gastric empyting
gastroparesis
which investigations are required for gastric outlet obstruction?
fbc, crp, ue, clotting, group and save
abdo x ray or CT with contrast
endoscopy
how is gastric outlet obstruction managed?
resuscitation fluids
catheter
NG tube to decompress stomach
IV PPI
endocopy can dilate
surgery if all else fails
what are some lower GI causes of rectal bleeding?
diverticular disease, ischaemic or infective colitis, haemorrhoids, malignancy, crohn’s or UC
define haemorroids
engorged vascular cushions in the anal canal
what are important to ask in a hx with per rectal bleeding?
duration,frequency, colour, relation to stool and defecation
associated sx
family hx of bowel cancer or IBD
which investigations are required for per rectal bleeding?
bloods - fbc, ue, lft, clotting, group and save
stool culture - rule out infective cause
urgent CT angiography if haemodynamically unstable
flexible sigmoidoscopy - left colon malignancy
OGD
how is per rectal bleeding managed?
unstable rectal bleeding (less common) - A->E, IV fluids, blood products
any Hb<70 - red cell transfusion
endoscopic haemostasis - injected diluted adrenaline
arterial embolisation
possible surgical tx
what are the risk fx for GORD
age, obesity, male, alcohol, smoking, caffeine/spicy
what are the risk fx for GORD
age, obesity, male, alcohol, smoking, caffeine/spicy
what are the risk fx for GORD
age, obesity, male, alcohol, smoking, caffeine/spicy
what are the clinical features of GORD
chest pain
burning retrosternal sensation
worse after meals, lying or bending over
relieved by antacids
possible - belching, odynophagia, chronic cough
what are the red flag symptoms for GORD?
dysphagia
weight loss
early satiety
malaise
loss of appetite
what is GORD a risk fx for?
barretts oesophagus
what red flag sx required urgent endoscopy?
dysphagia
>55 with upper abdo pain, weight loss, dyspepsia,reflux
what investigations are required for GORD and when would you consider investigating?
endoscopy - worsen depsite PPI, new onset and in older pts
24 hr pH monitor is gold standard for GORD + manometry to exclude dysmotility
how do you manage GORD?
conservative - less caffeine, weight loss, smoking cessation, PPI
what are the indications for surgery in GORD?
failure to response, patient preference, with complications - recurrent pneumonia
how is GORD handled surgically?
fundoplication - fundus wrapped around GOJ
what are the main complications of GORD?
aspirational pneumonia, barrets, strictures, cancer
what are the risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma?
middle and upper thirds -
smoking and alcohol
achalasia
what are the risk factors for adenocarcinoma?
lower third (usally barretts)
LONG STANDING gord
OBESITY
HIGH FAT INTAKE
what are the clinical features of oesophageal cancer?
dysphagia
weight loss
odynophagia
hoarseness
supraclavicular lymphadenipathy
which investigations are required for oesophagus cancer?
OGD within 2 week, biopsy
staging - CT CAP, endoscopic USS, staging laproscopy
how is squamous cell v adenocarcinoma treated?
scc - chemo - radiation
adeno -neoadjuvant chemo or chemo radiotherapu following resection
what is the main surgical management for oesophageal cancer?
oesophagectomy - removes tumour, top of stomach, surrounding lymph nodes
ivor lewis or mckeon procedure
whaat is post op function post oesophagectomy?
lose the reservoir function of the stomach. Many centres will routinely insert a feeding tube into the small bowel (a “feeding jejunostomy”) to aid nutrition. However, most patients will need to eat 5-6 small meals per day to meet their nutritional requirements.
whaat is post op function post oesophagectomy?
lose the reservoir function of the stomach. Many centres will routinely insert a feeding tube into the small bowel (a “feeding jejunostomy”) to aid nutrition. However, most patients will need to eat 5-6 small meals per day to meet their nutritional requirements.
prognosis of oesophageal cancer
poor - 5-10% as late presentation
define oesophageal perforation
full thickness rupture
if spontaenous - boerhaave’s syndrome
define oesophageal perforation
full thickness rupture
if spontaenous - boerhaave’s syndrome
Perforation will result in leakage of stomach contents into the mediastinum and pleural cavity, which triggers a severe inflammatory response which will rapidly become overwhelming, resulting in a physiological collapse, multi-organ failure, and death.
what are the clinical features of oesophageal perforation?
retrosternal chest pain, resp distess, subcutaneous emphysema
which investigations are required for oesophgeal perforation?
routine bloods
chest x ray - pneumoperitoneum
CT chest abdo pelvis with contrast
what is involved in the initial management of oesophageal perforation?
septic and require urgent fluid resus
what are the indications for surgical management of oesophageal perforation and what surgery?
spontaneous perforation
thoractomy to control leak and wash out chest
how is oesophageal perforation managed non surgically and the inidcations?
iatrogenic tend to be more stable
or if too frail/co morbidities to undergo surgery
Initial suitable resuscitation and transfer to Intensive Care / High Dependency Unit
Appropriate antibiotic and anti-fungal cover
Nil by mouth for 1-2 weeks, with endoscopic insertion of an NG tube on drainage
Large-bore chest drain insertion
Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) or feeding jejunostomy insertion
what is the prognosis of oesophageal perforation?
mortality and morbidity high
define mallory weiss tear
lacerations in mucosa usually at GOJ
after profuse vomiting
short period of haemaetemsis
managed conservatively
the anatomy of the oesophagus
The upper oesophageal sphincter is comprised of skeletal muscle, and prevents air from entering the GI tract. The lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) is composed of smooth muscle, and prevents reflux from the stomach.
Peristaltic waves, controlled by the oesophageal myenteric neurones, propel ingested food down the oesophagus. The primary wave is under control of the swallowing centre and the secondary wave is activated in response to distention.
define achalasia
failure of relaxation of LOS and absence of peristalysis along oesophagus
increased risk of cancer
what are the clinical features of achalasia?
progressive dysphagia for solids and liquids
regurgitation
resp complications, chest pain, dyspepsia,weight loss
which investigations are required for suspected achlasia?
OGD - cancer
oesophageal menometry - Absence of oesophageal peristalsis
Failure of relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter
High resting lower oesophageal sphincter tone
conservatyive management of achalasia
sleep with pillows, eating slowly, chewing, fluids