Lecture 1 - Esophageal Disorders Flashcards
What is the diagnostic study of choice for oropharyngeal dysphagia?
Video Esophagography (aka videofluoroscopy - rapid sequence)
List 3 ways that Upper Endoscopy (aka esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EDG)) is both diagnostic and therapeutic?
1) Direct visualization
2) Allows biopsy of mucosal abnormalities and of normal appearing mucosa
3) Allows for dilation of strictures
What is the diagnostic study of choice for persistent heartburn?
Upper Endoscopy - aka esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EDG)
Which diagnostic study is more sensitive for detecting subtle esophageal narrowing due to rings, webs, achalasia, and proximal esophageal lesions?
Barium Esophagography (aka barium swallow x-ray/barium esophagram)
Which diagnostic study can be used to differentiate between mechanical lesions and motility disorders?
Barium Esophagography (aka barium swallow x-ray/barium esophagram)
In a patient with suspected achalasia in whom a mechanical obstruction cannot be found after endoscopy or barium study, which diagnostic study can be used?
Esophageal Manometry - assesses motility
List neurologic disorders which may be causes of oropharyngeal dysphagia?
- Brainstem cerebrovascular accident; mass lesion
- ALS, MS, Pseudobulbar palsy, Post-poli syndrome, Guillain-Barre syndrome
- PD, HD, and dementia
- Tardive dyskinesia
List the muscular and rheumatologic disorders which may be causes of oropharyngeal dysphagia?
- Myopathies, polymyolitis
- Oculopharyngeal dystrophy
- Sjogren Syndrome
List 4 metabolic disorders which may be causes of oropharyngeal dysphagia?
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Amyloidosis
- Cushing disease
- Wilson disease
List 2 types of medications which may have side effects causing oropharyngeal dysphagia?
- Anticholinergics
- Phenothiazines - used to treat serious mental and emotional disorders, including schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
What are 7 infectious agents which may cause oropharyngeal dysphagia?
- Polio
- Diptheria
- Botulism
- Lyme Disease
- Syphilis
- Candida
- Herpes
Intermittent dysphagia that is not progressive is a clue for what type of mechanical obstruction?
Schatzki ring
Chronic heartburn with progressive dysphagia that is worse for solid foods is a clue for what type of mechanical obstruction of the esophagus?
Peptic stricture
A patient presents with odynophahia (painful swallowing), especially with solid foods, and localized to the esophagus, what are 2 common etiologies for this type of presentation?
- Pill esophagitis
- Infection esophagitis
What are 7 alarm features (sx’s) of someone presenting with GERD that indicates the need for endoscopy (or abdominal imaging)?
- Weight loss (especially unintentional)
- Persistent vomiting
- Constant or severe pain
- Dysphagia/odynophagia
- Hematemesis
- Melana
- Anemia (iron deficiency)
What are 6 of the atypical or extraesophageal manifestations associated with GERD?
- Asthma
- Chronic cough
- Chronic laryngitis (laryngeoesophageal reflux)
- Sore throat
- Non-cardiac chest pain
- Sleep disturbances
Are initial diagnostic studies warranted for patients with typical GERD symptoms suggesting uncomplicated disease?
- No
- Only if “alarm features” present
Which type of diagnostic imaging should be used for someone with persistent GERD or alarm features and for detecting GERD complications?
Upper endoscopy - EGD
When would esophageal impedance-pH testing be warranted in a patient with GERD?
When extraesophageal sx’s persist after 3 months of 2x daily PPI therapy
Dysphagia occurs in 1/3 or patients with GERD and may be attributed to what 3 underlying issues?
- Erosive esophagitis
- Abnormal esophageal peristalsis
- Development of an esophageal stricture
What are 5 complications which can arise from GERD?
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)
- Esophagitis
- Stricture
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Adenocarcinoma
What is the hallmark of scleroderma?
- Thickening and hardening of the skin
- Microangiopathy and fibrosis of the skin and visceral organs
What is the typical age of onset for Scleroderma?
Which sex most affected?
More severe disease seen in which race?
- Age 30-50
- W>M
- More severe disease in blacks
What is the diagnostic study of choice for Zenker Diverticulum?
Barium esophagography (aka barium swallow)
Sjogren’s syndrome has a strong association with what type of cancer?
B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
What are 2 risk factors for the development of Barrett Esophagus?
- Chronic reflux (GERD)
- Truncal obesity independent of GERD
What is the standard treatment for Barrett Esophagus?
Reduce the risk of?
- Long-term PPI 1x or 2x daily to control reflux sx’s
- May reduce the risk of cancer
For patients with high grade dysplasia or intramucosal adenocarcinoma associated w/ Barrett Esophagus, what is the recommended treatment?
- Endoscopic therapy
- Removes or ablate dysplastic Barrett epithelium, using mucosal snare resection and radiofrequency wave ablation electrocautery
Which type of cancer is a long-term complication of Barrett Esophagus?
Adenocarcinoma
Preventative screening for Barrett Esophagus is not recommended in patients with GERD, except for when?
- Those w/ multiple risk factors for adenocarcinoma
- Chronic GERD, hiatal hernia, obesity, white race, male, and age 50+
Where are most peptic strictures found?
GE junction
What are the typical symptoms of a Peptic Stricture?
- Gradual development of solid food dysphagia progressive over months to years
- Reduction in heartburn because the stricture acts as a barrier to reflux
What is mandatory for the diagnosis of a Peptic Stricture?
Endoscopy w/ biopsy to differentiate peptic stricture from stricture by esophageal carcinoma
What is the treatment for Peptic Stricture, both at time of endoscopy and long-term?
- Dilation at time of endoscopy
- Long-term tx w/ PPI is required to decrease likelihood of recurrence
What are 7 risk factors for SCC of the esophagus?
Which risk factors are synergistic?
- Heavy smoking (synergistic w/ alcohol!)
- Alcohol
- Achalasia
- Plummer-Vinson Syndrome
- Tylosis
- Lye ingestion
- Hot beverags
Who is at the highest risk of SCC of the Esophagus?
Males > Females and AA > Caucasians