Lab 6&7 Gastrointestinal Pathologies Flashcards
What is an Achalasia?
“failure to relax” lower esophageal sphincter
What is an Esophageal Web/Ring?
concentric, smooth, thin (3-5mm) extension of normal esophageal tiss. into lumen (all 3 layers)
What pathology is the loss/absence of ganglion cells in the esophageal myenteric plexus assocaited with?
Achalasia
what features are visualized on a barium swallow for Achalasia?
- megaesophagus: widened esophagus: absent peristalsis = food retention
- “birds beak”/”rat tail” deformity: tonic contraction of pyloric sphincter
what are the clinical features of an Achalasia?
- odynophagia (pain swallowing)
- regurgitation (tends after meals
what is the etiology of an Esophageal Web/Ring?
often idiopathic, but predisposing factors include:
- Plummer-Vinson Syndrome: severe iron deficiency
- autoimmune/inflammatory disorders
what is the preferential location of Esophageal Rings?
usually distal esophagus (but anywhere along esophagus)
what diet is prescribed to those with an Esophageal Web?
gradullay convert to semi-solid, followed by liquid diets
what are the clinical features of an Esophageal Ring?
- asymptomatic
- Intermintent dysphagia
What condition may be visualized on a upper GI biopsy sample in a patient with chronic heartburn?
Barrett Esophagus
what is the normal epithelia of the esophagus?
stratified squamous
what gross characteristics would be visualized at the gastro-esophageal jct. in a patient with Barrett Esophagus?
columnar epithelium creeps upward above the GE jct. (normally a straight line)
what is Barrett Esophagus? what are the cellular events?
columnar metaplasia of the esophagus:
- stratified squamous epithelium replaced w/ simple columnar epithelium w/ goblet cells
what is the etiology of Barrett Esophagus?
gastroesophageal reflux
why is treatment of Barrett Esophagus important?
it’s a risk factor for Adenocarcinoma
what cellular events occur in Barrett Esophagus as GERD continues?
dysplastic cell changes:
- decrease goblet cells
- ^hyperchromatic cells
- hyperplasia
what histological feature is indicative of the malignant transformation of Barrett Esophagus into frank Adenocarcinoma?
invasive glands deep to basement membrane (“fern-leaf” glandular pattern)
what is a potentially disastrous complication of ^portal venous hypertension?
Esophageal Varices
what is the gross view of Esophageal Varices?
dilated veins on the external surface of the esophagus
massively dilated veins often accompany what pathology?
Liver Cirrhosis
what is the etiology of portal vein hypertension?
Hepatic Cirrhosis (alcoholism)
what is the pathogenesis of Chronic Hepatic Cirrhosis?
alcoholism -> hemochromatosis (build up iron) -> extensive scarring
what is a clinical feature of Esophageal Varices?
massive hematemesis (vomit blood)
why does massive hematemesis create a high mortality statistic for Esophageal Varices?
- high % develop fatal bleed = Hypovolemic shock
- those who survive often re-bleed w/in 1 yr w/ same mortality rate
massively dilated veins below the mucosa are prone to ____.
rupture & hemorrhage into the lumen
what feature of Liver Cirrhosis makes Esophageal Varices especially fatal?
hypofunctioning liver can’t produce clotting factors (vomit blood)
what is the pathogenesis of Mallory-Weiss Tear/Syndrome?
- a single episode of severe retcing results in sudden ^intra-esophageal pressure
- mechanically tears the gastro-esophageal jct. = small linear fissure of lower esophagus
- trend toward minor anemia
what population is Mallory-Weiss Syndrome seen in?
alcoholics
what pathology is demonstrated in a patient who feels ill and has an episode of vomiting that resembles “coffee grounds”
Acute Gastritis
tiny hemorrhages seen in an edoscope of Acute Gastritis are termed ____.
small petechial hemorrhages
what are the etiologies of Acute Gastritis?
- infection
- insult
- NSAIDs
- overindulgence of alcohol/caffeine
what is the MC etiology of Chronic Gastritis? what is another etiology of this condition/
- Helicobacter Pylori MC
- Autoimm. destruction of gastric parietal cells (in stomach body & fundus)
what are the clinical features of Chronic Gastritis?
- mucosal atrophy w/ intestinal metaplasia
- achlorhydria w/ ^gastrin & antral G-cell hyperplasia
- lack of intrinsic factor = megaloblastic (pernicious) anemia
what pathology does Chronic Gastritis predisope an individual to?
^risk of gastric adenocarcinoma (intestinal type)
what are the 2 locations of Peptic Ulcers? which is MC?
- Gastric Ulcer (stomach)
- Duodenal Ulcer MC (1st part / distal to pyloric sphincter)
what is the MC etiology of Peptic Ulcer disease?
Helicobacter Pylori MC
describe the appearance of a Gastric Ulcer.
rugae surrounding lesion
what are the characteristic clinical features of Gastric Ulcers?
symptomatic w/:
- mere contemplation of food (added hylochloric acid)
- immediately after eating
- aversion to food
- weight loss
what are the characteristic clinical features of Duodenal Ulcers?
- symptomatic relief immediately after eating (produce bicarbonate)
- ^symptoms 2-3 hours after eating
- snacking (constant bicarbonate production)
- weight gain
what feature of Gastric Ulcers can be visualized on and endoscope?
zone of hyperemia surrounding lesion
what event can result in a Gastric Ulcer surgical emergency?
ulcer can borrow thru mucosa, submucosa, & deeper = perforation (uncommon)
what is visualized on a microscopic preperation of an Ulcer?
epithelia loss extending into submucosa + muscularis externa (punched out area)
what are the 2 types of Gastric Carcinomas?
both adenocarcinomas:
- intestinal type
- diffuse type
what is the preferential location of Intestinal type Gastric Carcinomas?
lesser curvature of the stomach
what is the gross appearance of Diffuse type Gastric Carcinomas?
Linitis Plastica “Leather Bottle”
- overall thickening of stomach wall w/o stretch during digestion
how is Diffuse adenocarcinoma of the stomach unlike typical adenocarcinomas
- Signet-Ring appearance (rather than glandular)
- invade submucosal & muscular layers of the stomach
what is the histological appearance of Intestinal type adenocarcinoma?
glandular “fern leaf” pattern
a patient presents w/ change in eating habits as well as conspicuous weight loss, biopsy would most likely reveal ___.
Diffuse or Intestinal type Adenocarcinomas
what is the etiology of Diffuse adenocarcinoma of the stomach?
bacterial infection leads to peptic ulcer disease + neoplasm
how would an Intestinal type adenocarcinoma present grossly?
ulceration of gastric mucosal
- result of tumor growth
- central zone of necrosis
- bleeding ulcerated area surrounded by raised lesion
biopsy of Intestinal type adenocarcinoma would most likely display what?
glandular epithelium of mucosa extending throughout deeper layers
invasion of glands strongly suggests ____
Gastric adenocarcinoma
what condition is characterized by mucosal changes that occur in longstanding inability to tolerate wheat-containing foods?
Celiac disease
what is Celiac disease?
production of Ab against wheat proteins (hypersensitivity)
what immunoglobulin is generated & deployed at the intestinal mucosa in Celiac disease?
IgA
describe the histological mucosal changes that occur in Celia disease.
inflammatory reaction in small intestine:
- loss of microvilli brush border
- infiltration of many plasma cells
what are the normal characteristics of intestinal mucosa?
- microvilli brush border (nutrient absorption)
- simple columnar epithelium
- normal intraepithelial lymphocytes
what clinical features will present in an individual w/ Celiac disease?
- pain
- gas
- bloating
- weight loss
- Dermatitis Herpetiformis
what is the cutaneous complication of Celiac disease?
Dermatitis Herpetiformis:
- IgA immune complexes deposit in skin creates vesicular pattern in non-dermatomal fashion