Gusack- GI Path X 9-Leah, DONE :)!!! Flashcards
Normal location of esophagus (where does it run):
vertebral level of diaphragmatic penetration?
anatomic span?
Cricopharyngeal muscle of pharynx –> GE junction (T11/12)
Location of two esophageal sphincters:
(essentially at the top and bottom of esophagus)
upper: at cricopharyngeus
lower: at diaphragm; just proximal to GE junction
What determines the tone of the LES (3)?
Is it effected by vagotomy?
- Ach, gastrin, serotonin
- Not effected by vagotomy
Five layers of the normal esophagus:
from lumen –> outward
mucosal epi –> lamina propia –> muscularis mucosa –> submucosa –> muscularis propia
(same as rest of GI tract)
Compare the mucosal and muscular GE junctions.
- How far apart are they?
- Which is called the “Z line”?
mucosal: transition from SQUAMOUS epi of esophagus to COLUMNAR epi of the stomach; aka the “Z line”
muscular: transition from distal esophagus to proximal rugae
muscular is 2-3 cm distal to mucosal
When a congenital esophageal condition is detected, what other conditions should be considered?
Congenital heart disease, often co-exist
Describe atresia/ TE fistula:
Atresia: esophagus is a non-canalized blind pouch; two segments may be present that do not join
(proximal connects pharynx, distal connects stomach, center missing)
TE fistula: connection between the esophagus and the trachea
Two conditions often co-exist
How many types of TE fistula/ atresia conditions exist? Describe the most common type.
- A-E (five)
- Type C most common (90%); blind upper pouch, fistula between lower segment and trachea
Describe the findings assc with TE fistula/ esophageal atresia (at birth and later…)
At birth: regurgitation, aspiration; aspiration pneumonia
Later: would lead to GERD, esophagitis
*Must correct surgically early, if compatible with life.
Describe the location of ectopic gastric vs pancreatic tissue in the esophagus.
Which is more common?
Which is more dangerous?
- gastric: postcricoid region; red-orange well demarcated inlet patch
- pancreatic: GEJ; has ducts and acini (like pancreas!)
Pancreatic (16% endoscopies) more common than gastric (2-4%)
Pancreatic usually benign but CAN become ductal carcinoma
Esophageal web: gross appearance location size population 3 causes
- mucosal protrusion w/ fibrous core
- UPPER esophagus
- less than 5 mm into lumen
- women over 40
- idiopathic (#1), radiation, or Graft v. Host Disease
Schatzki ring:
location
appearance
what should you compare this to?
- ring just above Z line
- has gastric epi at undersurface
(compare to webs, which are in UPPER esophagus and have a FIBROUS core)
Esophageal stenosis: describe the -submucosa -muscularis -epi -overall esophageal lumen:
Most general cause:
submucosa: thickened (“sub more submucosa”)
muscularis: atrophied
epi: ulcerated
overall: esophageal opening is narrowed
Caused by: severe injury/ inflammation/ scarring
What are four injuries that may induce esophageal stenosis?
What should you always screen for?
Main symptom?
- radiation
- reflux
- scleroderma (E in CREST)
- caustic injury (lye/ poison ingestion)
- Screen for AI disease and suicide risk
Sx: progressive dysphagia (solids–> solids + liquids)
Achalasia:
What are the two functional deficits of this disease?
What is its proposed cause?
- Failure of LES relaxation + esophageal peristalsis
- No food gets into stomach!
- T cell destruction/ absence of MYENTERIC PLEXUS
Population that gets achalasia?
Sx?
Tx?
- young adults
- progressive dysphagia –> regurgiation and aspiration
- esophagomyotomy/ dilation
Secondary achalasia causes:
- 1 parasitic
- 3 neuro related
- 3 others
- Chagas (T. cruzi)
- Polio/ neuropathy/ surgical nerve ablation
- Tumor/ amyloidosis / sarcoidosis
Long term achalasia may lead to what complications?
- 4 physical
- 1 cancer
- 1 infectious
- mega-esophagus/ diverticula/stricture/rupture
- ^^ SCC risk
- Candida
Early vs Late (3) histo appearance of achalasia?
Early: EOS + T cells in myenteric plexus
Late: replacement of nerves by collagen; muscular hypertrophy; mucosa has papillomatosis + basal cell hyperplasia
Pseudoachalasia:
what is it and how common is it?
- 2-4% patients w/ achalasia sx
- Tumor (usually adenocarcinoma) invades myenteric plexus = failure of LES to relax
What are the two types of hiatal hernias and which is more common? Which is more dangerous and why?
- SLIDING (bell shaped) v. ROLLING (paraesophageal; fundal)
- sliding most common
**Paraesophageal more dangerous because can result in strangulation –> necrosis
What causes hiatal hernias?
-separation of diaphragmatic crura –> widening of space between crura and esophageal wall
How common are hiatal hernias?
Are they usually sympomatic?
What accentuates symptoms?
-1-20% adults
(probably under diagnosed)
- only 9% have GERD, rest are asx
- symptoms accentuated by increasing pressure in abdomen (obesity/pregnancy/ leaning forward)
Mallory Weiss Tears: location classic cause treatment most serious sequalae?
- longitudinal tear at GEJ/proximal gastric MUCOSA
- classically in alcoholics due to retching
- supportive tx
- esophageal rupture (boerhaave syndrome) may be lethal outcome
A true esophageal diverticulum (any type) must include ____?
all visceral layers of the alimentary tract
Epiphrenic diverticulum:
- location
- cause
- symptoms
- above LES; due to lack of proper muscle coordination (phrenic = diaphragm, so just above LOWER sphincter)
- get nocturnal regurgitation
mid-esophageal diverticulum:
current belief vs. past beliefs regarding etiology
- current: motor dysfunction vs congenital
- previously thought to be caused by TB/lymphadenitis
Zenker’s diverticulum:
location
causes
population
- False diverticulum proximal to UES, posterior wall
- Weakness in wall at pharyngeal junction, disordered fxn of the cricopharynxgeus
- Eldery
Zenker’s diverticulum:
possible complications?
- Regurgitation, aspiration, halitosis, ^ risk SCCA
- May simulate a NECK MASS*
(MISTAKEN FOR CANCER IN ELDERLY)
How do esophageal varices form?
Describe the blood flow pattern:
-portal HTN –> development of collaterals between portal/ caval systems
(blood flow: portal vein –> Lt GASTRIC VEIN–> esophageal collaterals –> IVC –> heart)
I think we need to know the portal-caval anastomosis implicated here so I added Lt gastric vein
Two most common causes of portal hypertension and varices?
#1- alcoholism #2- hepatic schistosomiasis (s. mansoni + japonicum, vs. haematobium)
Describe the severity of varices?
- 40% die in first episode of bleeding!!!
- half of survivors will rebleed in first year!!
BADDDDDD– don’t have clotting factors!
Treatment for esophageal varices? (2)
sclerotherapy
balloon tamponade
(kill the extra vessels)
Most common cause of esophagitis?
1- GERD
GERD:
usual age
possible consequences (4)
- adults over 40
- esophagitis, minor bleeds, stricture, Barretts
Physiologically, how does GERD injure the esophagus?
gastric acid/ bile acid exposure = decreased restorative capacity of the esophagus!
**GERD Biopsy criteria (3):
- basal cell hyperplasia
- heightened papillae of LP
- intraepi eos
**NOTE: Eos in LP are NORMAL; abnormal in epi
Carditis:
where is the inflammation?
what are the causes?
Significance?
- just distal to Z line (proximal stomach)
- GERD or H pylori
- incidence of gastric cardia cancer is ^^.
Barret’s esophagus:
appearance (micro + gross)
#1 cause
MC populations?
- intestinal metaplasia with COLUMNAR AND GOBLET CELLS!; red velvety patch grossly
- # 1 cause is GERD
- usually seen in older white men, also kids with CF or radiation
What is the management for Barrett’s?
- anti-reflux agents
- Biopsies (2cm) every 1-2 years to detect any dysplasia or cancer
Barrett’s is a major risk factor for ____ esp in ____. Definitive diagnosis depends on the presence of _______.
- adenocarcinoma; white males; goblet cells
Describe the progression from normal epi to Barrett’s related carcinoma
-squamous epi –> esophagitis –> Barrett’s –> Dysplasia –> Carcinoma
*NOTE: dysplasia is NEOPLASTIC but does NOT INVADE THE LAMINA PROPIA!
Carcinoma is INVASIVE!
Management of low grade vs high grade esophageal dysplasia?
- low: intense antireflux + surveillance (similar to Barrett’s management)
- high: rebiopsy/second opinion; consider esophagectomy if confirmed
- Four grades for Barrett’s related dysplasia?
- When should you be conservative about making a dx of esophageal dysplasia?
- When is low grade dysplasia less likely to become invasive?
- negative, indefinite, low grade, high grade
- if neutros are present, consider reactive changes
- less likely to invade if less than 2 cm or at GEJ (close to stomach)
Eosinophilic Esophagitis:
who gets it?
what does it resemble and how do you distinguish (2 ways)?
- Young white males
- Looks like GERD but pH is not acidic
- Does not response to anti-relux therapy
Aside from dysphagia, what findings are assc with allergic/ eosinophilic esophagitis? (3)
- peripheral eosinophilia
- atopy (genetic predisposition to allergies)
- allergen skin tests +
(draw blood if suspected!)
Corrosive esophagitis:
histo findings (3)
complications (3)
- ingestion of chemicals i.e. lye
- hemorrhage, necrosis, +/- bacterial infection
- progresses to: strictures, Barrett’s, rarely SCC
Infectious esophagitis:
- population infected
- common agents (3)
- typical signs on endoscopy/ biopsy
immunocompromised
candida (#1), HSV, CMV
see exudate and ulceration + neutros/necrosis
Candida esophagitis:
what is required for dx (on microscopy)?
what do you see on endoscopy?
- fungal invasion (presence of pseudohyphae)
- see “thrush” – grey/white plaques
CMV esophagitis:
describe the inclusions assc with CMV ulcers; where are they found?
- Intranuclear w clear halo
- Coarse granules in cytoplasm
- Found in endothelium + enlarged stromal cells at the base of ulcers
- Seen in columnar NOT squamous epi
Esophageal ulcers:
Ddx
CMV vs HSV
*must rule out HSV in ulcers seen in immunocompromised because can lead to rupture or dissemination!
Describe viral inclusions of HSV ulcers
- in multinucleated squamous epi cells
- eosinophilic, intranuclear (Cowdry A)
- clear halo and ground glass like CMV
In addition to inclusion bodies, what histo finding may suggest CMV/HSV esophagitis?
perivascular mac aggregates
3 things CMV/HSV esophagitis have in common
- ulcers
- inclusions
- perivascular macs
(HSV more dangerous, EOSINOPHILIC inclusions are in MULTINUCLEATED cells.)
4 Less common causes of esophagitis
- radiation/ chemo
- pills (DOXY DID THIS TO ME!)
- intubation
- uremia
SCC of the esophagus:
- typical presentation (late or early?)
- 3 MC sites for mets
- 3 areas with highest incidence?
- usually late stage (invasion to muscularis, nodes mets etc)
- mets to liver, lungs/pleura
- iran, asia, china (bc hot tea)
SCC vs adenocarcinoma of the esophagus:
which is most common?
Adenocarcinoma previously confused for?
- SCC but the two are now nearly equal
- AC preciously dx’ed as gastric carcinoma
What sex and race most commonly get esophageal SCC? What section of the esophagus is usually involved?
- Black males
- mid third most common
Causes of/ risk factors for SCC of the esophagus
- 3 social
- 3 dietary
- 1 infectious
- alcohol/tobacco/urban environment
- vitamin deficiencies, nitrosamines, betel nuts
- fungus
AC of the esophagus:
sex and race usually involved?
age?
usual precursor
white males ~50 yoa
most arise from Barretts
Esophageal AC:
usual presenation? (late v early)
prognosis compared to SCC?
- advanced at presentation, tends to invade lymphatics
- similar prog. to SCC
Esophageal AC:
histo
- mucin producing intestinal mucosa (like Barretts)
- may have signets, germ cells or papillary structures; signets are BAD SIGN.
Five regions of the stomach
- cardia
- fundus
- body
- antrum
- pylorus
Two key cells found in the antrum?
Two key cells found in the fundus + body ?
antrum: G cells, Mucous cells
funds + body: Chief cells (pepsin), Parietal Cells (HCl)
Heterotopic pancreas of STOMACH:
- tissue size
- incidence
- common location
In what other organ was this seen?
- up to 1cm; 1-2% people
- located in atrum or pylorus
-Also seen in the lower esophagus (GEJ junction)!
Heterotopic pancreas:
- gross appearance
- histo
- complication?
- nipple like projection; may be cystic
- acini+ DUCTS (most obvious on images)
**can get pancreatic ca in one of these jacked up locations
Congenital Pyloric Stenosis:
- male or female?
- 4 associations
- 2 key clinical signs
- 75% males
- ^ monozygotic twins concordinance
- Edwards (18), Turners, Esophageal atresia
- nonbilious PROJECTILE vomiting in neonate (**1-2 wks old!)
- visible peristalsis
Acquired Pyloric Stenosis:
- male or female
- 2 associations
- differential diagnosis
- mostly elderly males (like congenital)
- antral gastritis or pyloric ulcers
- Ddx: neoplastic obstruction
Gross appearance of pyloric stenosis?
Treatment?
- 3-5cm fusiform “olive like” mass made of pyloric muscle
- pylorotomoy (cut it open)
Congenital Diaphragmatic hernia:
- cause
- usual location (left or right?)
- what contents protrude?
- most dangerous complication?
-Defective closure of the diaphragm
(failure of pleuroperitoneal folds to form)
-MC on LEFT
-Usually stomach, can be bowel/liver
-can cause pulmonary hypoplasia –> respiratory distress –> death
An acquired diaphragmatic hernia would be due to?
-trauma (rare)
List 5 mucosal defenses of the stomach:
Loss of these functions contribute to?
- mucus
- bicarb
- epi barrier
- mucosal blood flow
- Prostaglandins
Loss of protective mechanisms –> acute gastritis
How does mucus function to protect the stomach? (2)
- Low diffusion coefficient for H+
(acid stays in lumen of stomach; water has higher diffusion constant)
-“Jets” send pepsin + acid through mucus layer preventing epi contact
How does the epi barrier protect the stomach wall? (2)
- tight junctions prevent H+ backflow
- rapid growth and restoration in the setting of damage
How does mucosal blood flow sustain the stomach? (2)
- provides O2/nutrients (like all blood?) and bicarb
- helps remove waste (like all blood?) and acid
How do prostaglandins protect the stomach?
- ^^ mucus and bicarb
- lower acid secretion
- E/I vasodilation = ^^ mucosal blood flow
What layer of the stomach limits injury?
How long does it take a superficial injury to heal? Deep injury?
(What defines a superficial vs deep injury?)
- muscularis mucosa LIMITS INJURY
- damage limited to the mucosa (superficial) takes only hours –> days to heal
- damage in the submucosa can take weeks
Describe the difference between gastritis and gastropathy:
- gastrITIS: inflammation of the gastric mucosa
- gastropathy: mucosal damage without inflammation
(Leah: not sure I understand how you get damage without any inflammation? Maybe like mechanical injury? Regardless, this is the definition he gave.
Melissa: I don’t know either. I do not recall FA or pathoma discussing this and I think he made it up. )
Describe the difference between an erosion and ulcer:
erosion: loss of the superficial epi; does not cross muscularis mucosa
ulcer: full thickness defect; extends to muscularis mucosa
Acute gastritis:
3 possible complications
- sloughing of the mucosa (erosion)
- hemorrhage (cause of acute GI bleed, esp in alcoholics = hematemesis, melena)
- death due to blood loss
*Can also be mild pain/ nausea etc
Causes of ACUTE gastritis:
- drugs x3
- social x2
- others x 4
- NSAIDs, chemo, acids/alkali
- alcohol, smoking
- uremia
- infection
- ischemia/shock/stress
- trauma
Aside from loss of the 5 main protective mechanisms, how might acute gastritis occur?
-bile reflux
Contrast the appearance of mild vs severe gastritis
mild: edema, congestion, neutros but EPI IS INTACT
severe: MUCOSAL DAMAGE, erosion, hemorrhage, fibrinous + purulent exudate
Chronic gastritis may cause what complications? (2)
- mucosal atrophy –> intestinal metaplasia
- dysplasia –> adenocarcinoma
Causes of CHRONIC gastritis? (5) #1?
1: H. pylori
- autoimmune (pernicious anemia, Chrons)
- alcohol/ smoking
- post surgical/motor/mechanical
- radiation
How common is chronic gastritis?
-50% of US pop over age 50!!
but prevalence is decreasing due to treatment
Chronic gastritis:
- most common presenation?
- 4 possible findings?
- MC: mild GI discomfort
- HYPOchloridia (destruction of parietal cells)
- (+/-) ^ gastrin
- peptic ulcer
- carcinoma/ lymphoma
Autoimmune gastritis is rare but most commonly involves Abs against _____.
components of parietal cells:
- H/K ATPase
- gastrin receptor
- intrinsic factor
Presenation of severe autoimmune gastritis? (3)
What CANT it cause?
- Hypochloridia –> ANchlorhydria
(note: chronic gastritis may have hypochlorhydria but never ANchlorydria) - Hypergastrinemia
- Small subset have pernicious anemia (B12)
**CANNOT be a cause of ULCERS!! ULCERS REQUIRE ACID.
Autoimmune gastritis is assc with what other 3 AI disorders?
Patients with this disease are at risk for?
-Hashimotos, Addisons, DM1!
(MONITOR KIDS NUTRITION IN DM1!!!!)
-Gastric carcinomas, Endocrine tumors
BUT NOT ULCERS
Inheritance pattern for AI gastritis?
Gastric auto-antibodies: are they always symptomatic?
What two areas of the stomach mucosa are targeted?
- AD
- Not all carrier’s of Abs are symptomatic.
- body and fundus targeted
Peptic ulcers penetrate the _____, which distinguishes them from ______.
They are most common in the ___ +____.
- muscularis mucosa
- erosions
- duodenum + stomach
In order from least to greatest, rank the following locations of peptic ulcers:
antrum, proximal duodenum, GE junction
#1 prox. duodenum #2 antrum #3 GEJ
Multiple peptic ulcers in stomach, duodenum, and even distal small intestine (ileum, jejunum) are suggestive of?
Gastrin Secreting neoplasm
Zollinger Ellison Syndrome
Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD):
Most common in males/ females?
Incidence increasing or decreasing?
Most common age?
- males more often, esp. duodenal ulcers
- middle age/ older adults
- incidence duodenal decreasing, gastric unchanged
The most common cause of both stomach and duodenal ulcers is ______.
______ is required for ulcer formation.
What other disease process is almost always present in these patients?
- H pylori #1 cause!
- ACID presence is required (but not necessarily increased acid)
- Most all duodenal ulcer patients and ~65% of gastric ulcer patients will have chronic gastritis.
How does H. pylori colonize the duodenum?
-H. Pylori of stomach enhances acid secretion; impairs bicarb secretion –> lower pH in duodenal lumen –> favorable conditions for gastric metaplasia = site for H pylori in duodenum
What makes an H. pylori strain virulent?
What percentage of duodenal ulcer patients harbor this strain?
Cage positive–> produce VacA toxin
*Seen in 80% patients.
What are the four components/ layers of an ulcer, histologically
- fibrinous exudate at surface
- inflammatory cells (PMNs)
- granulation tissue
- fibrotic tissue at base
(may also see re-epithelialization at margins)
\_\_\_\_\_ % of patients colonized with H. pylori actually get PUD. What are 8 risk factors? -2 social -2 drugs -3 diseases -2 others
~10-20%
- alcoholism/cirrhosis, tobacco
- NSAIDs, corticosteroids
- COPD, chronic renal disease, hyperPTH
- rapid gastric emptying, stress
(& obviously having the virulent strain)
How might COPD increase the risk of ulcer formation? HyperPTH?
- COPD: ^^ CO2 due to poor respiration –> ^ gastrin –> PUD
- HyperPTH: ^^Ca –> ^^ gastrin production –> ^^ acid –> PUD
What distinguishes an ulcer from a malignant carcinoma?
What sizes and locations are also suggestive of a benign process?
- ulcers: “punched out”; sharp, clean borders; leveled edges, NO heaping edges. aka: it LOOKS benign
- 90% of benign ulcers will be less than 4 cm and close to the pyloric ring (proximal duodenum/distal stomach) BUT this is NOT diagnostic.
What occurs when an ulcer penetrates beyond the submucosa, mucusoa muscularis, and eventually the entire stomach wall?
Adhesions or perforations…
- Base can become adherent to other organs (i.e. pancreas, liver, omental fat)
- OR can perforate
What does a healing ulcer look like, grossly?
-scarring causes puckering of surrounded mucosa in a “radial”/ “spokelike” fashion
How can peptic ulcers be distinguished from acute erosive gastritis or stress ulcers?
- Look at the surrounding mucosa!
- Most peptic ulcer patients will show CHRONIC GASTRITIS changes!
- Stress ulcers and erosive gastritis will have normal surrounding mucosa
In PUD: describe what a patient would tell you about the “CARTS” of “OLD CARTS”
Where might there be referred pain in the case of a perforated ulcer?
- burning pain
- worse ~1-3 hours following a meal
- GASTRIC = worse with food
- DUODENAL = better with food
- worst at night
*If perforated, pain may refer to LUQ, back, chest.
When diagnosing an MI/ acute coronary syndrome, what should be on your differential?
-PUD, esp. perforated ulcer because PAIN CAN REFER TO CHEST.
How long does it take a peptic ulcer to heal
- with treatment?
- without treatment?
-with treatment: few weeks
-without: avg of fifteen years
(Leah: I would love to know how they know this.)
What is the #1 ulcer complication/ cause of 25% PUD deaths?
What is a more rare complication but the cause of 2/3 ulcer deaths?
What ulcer complication may lead to intractable vomiting?
Is malignant transformation a risk?
- # 1 complication: bleeding
- 2/3 deaths: perforation
- scarring–> vomiting, esp in pyloric channel ulcers
-no malignancy seen in duodenal ulcers, rarely see in gastric.
Hypertropic gastropathy:
-gross appearance
*Grossly, what does this condition mimic?
-grossly: cerebriform enlargement of rugae (inside of stomach looks like brain)
Grossly, looks the same as lymphoma/ infiltrating carcinoma!
Hypertrophic gastropathy:
What are the three types?
- Menetrier
- Hypertrophic/hypersecretory gastropathy
- gastric gland hyperplasia
Describe the cause of the following gastropthies (gastric hypertrophies):
- menetrier
- hypertrophic hypersecretory gastropathy
- gastric gland hyperplasia
- menetrier: mucosal epi hypertrophy, glandular atrophy
- hypertrophic hypersecretory: parietal and chief cell hyperplasia
- gastric hyperplasia: gland hyperplasia in the setting of ^^ gastrin (Zollinger Ellison)
Gastric varices:
more or less common than esophageal?
most common location?
may be mistaken for?
- less common than esophageal
- usually at GEJ
- may be masslike/ mistakenly biopsied= bleeding = BAD.
A caliber persistant artery can occur nearly anywhere, including the stomach. What is it?
main arterial branch extends abberantly into superficial tissues; they look like a mass and are accidentally biopsied BAD
Gastric Polyp:
what does the term apply to?
how are they classified?
what is NECESSARY management step in evaluation of polyps?
- mass projecting above mucosa
- may actually be lipoma/leiomyoma
- classified as neoplastic or non-neoplastic
- MUST BIOPSY
1 type non-neoplastic gastric polyp?
- most common location
- most common co-existing condition?
- hyperplastic polyp
- # 1 site: antrum
- usually in chronic gastritis setting
Describe the three histo components of a hyper plastic gastric polyp:
- hyperplastic epi
- cystic dilation of glandular tissue
- LP has inflammatory cells and smooth muscle strands
Inflammatory fibroid gastric polyp:
what are the histo components?
- vascularized fibromuscular tissue
- many eos