Oesophageal conditions Flashcards
Describe the anatomy of the oesophagus
Muscular tube composed of two layers:
- an outer longitudinal layer
- an inner circular muscle layer
Connects the pharynx to the stomach
Striated (voluntary) muscle in upper portion gradually changes to smooth muscle in lower part to become continuous with muscle layer of the stomach
Define achalasia
An oesophageal motor disorder of unknown aetiology, characterised by oesophageal aperistalsis and insufficient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation in response to swallowing.
The normal muscular activity of the oesophagus is disturbed (absent or uncoordinated)
What is the cause of achalasia?
Inflammatory destruction of inhibitory nitrinergic neurons (ganglion cells) in the oesophageal myenteric (Auerbach) plexus
Results in loss of peristalsis and incomplete lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation.
The exact cause of this inflammatory process is unknown, but possible triggers include infection, autoimmunity, and genetic factors.
Summarise the epidemiology of achalasia
- Achalasia may occur at any age; however, incidence increases with age.
- The median age at diagnosis is 53 years.
- Achalasia affects both sexes equally.
- Annual incidence 1/100,000
Recognise the presenting symptoms of achalasia
Achalasia cannot be diagnosed on the basis of history alone.
Symptom onset is insidious, during which time many patients may adapt to significant symptoms by slowly altering their diet or eating habits.
- The key symptom is dysphagia to solids and liquids.
- liquids is common only in oesophageal motor disorders (not obstructions)
- May be intermittent
- Retrosternal pressure/pain- may be relieved by drinking cold water.
- Regurgitation- when in recumbant position. different to GORD- food retained in oesophagous tastes bland not sour
- gradual weight loss- different to malignancy rapid WL
- heartburn- secondary to fermentation of food retained in the oesophagus
- slow eating
- coughing/choking while recumbent- 2/2 regurgitation of retained food and liquids
- recurrent chest infections- aspiration of retained food
- sensation of a lump in the throat (globus)
- hiccups- 2/2 delayed transit of food in the oesophagus and diaphragmatic irritation.
Recognise the signs of achalasia on physical examination
Posturing to aid swallowing- to manage dysphagia, patients may adopt particular postures, such as:
- arching the neck and shoulders
- raising the arms, standing
- sitting up straight during the meal
- walking around after a meal.
May show signs of complications:
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Malnutrition
Identify appropriate investigations for achalasia
-
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
- low sensitivity for the diagnosis of early achalasia
- essential 1st line to exclude malignancy- causes pseudoachalasia
-
Barium swallow
- loss of peristalsis and delayed oesophageal emptying
- dilated oesophagus that tapers smoothly to a beak-like narrowing at the gastro-oesophageal junction
- advanced disease the dilated oesophagus may be tortuous and sigmoid-shaped with diverticula.
-
High-resolution oesophageal manometry- assesses pressure at LOS. May show:
- Elevated resting LOS pressure (> 45 mm Hg)
- Incomplete LOS relaxation
- Absence of peristalsis in the smooth muscle portion of the oesophagus
-
CXR
- Appearance may suggest achalasia, but test has a low sensitivity and is not diagnostic.
-
Bloods:
- may do serology for antibodies against T. cruzi if CHAGAS DISEASE is a possibility (and blood film may detect parasites)
- presence of myenteric plexus antibodies
Algrove syndrome
The triple-A (Allgrove) syndrome, characterised by:
- achalasia
- alacrima
- adrenocorticotrophic hormone-resistant adrenal insufficiency
Autosomal recessive disorder that has been mapped to chromosome 12.
Define GORD
Symptoms or complications resulting from the reflux of gastric contents into the oesophagus or beyond, into the oral cavity (including larynx) or lung
Explain the risk factors of GORD
- family history of heartburn or GORD
- older age
- hiatus hernia- reducing competence of the gastro-oesophageal junction and inhibiting clearance of oesophageal acid post-reflux
- obesity/pregnancy- intr-abdominal portion of oesophagus uses diaphragm as a sphincter
- diet: LOS pressure reduced by smoking, alcohol and coffee and some drugs (calcium-channel blockers, nitrates, beta-blockers, progesterone).
State some mechanisms that usually prevent reflux
- Lower oesophageal sphincter
- Acute angle of junction (angle of His)
- Mucosal rosette
- Sling fibres around the cardia
- Crural fibres of the diaphragm
Explain the aetiology of disease of GORD
- LOS regulates food passage from the oesophagus to the stomach
- Contains both intrinsic smooth muscle and skeletal muscle.
- Episodes of transient LOS relaxation are a normal phenomenon, but they occur more frequently in GORD, causing reflux of gastric contents into the oesophagus.
- Transient LOS relaxation is more common after meals and is stimulated by fat in the duodenum.
Summarise the epidemiology of GORD
common- affects between 10% and 30% of people in developed countries.
Recognise the presenting symptoms of GORD
- Retrosternal burning pain, radiating to epigastrium, jaw and arms.(Oesophageal pain is often confused with cardiac pain.)
- Aggravated by:
- Lying supine
- Bending
- Large meals
- Drinking alcohol
- Pain is relieved by antacids
- Waterbrash (regurgitation of an excessive accumulation of saliva from the lower part of the oesophagus often with some acid material from the stomach)
- Aspiration - may result in hoarseness, laryngitis, nocturnal cough and wheeze +/- pneumonia (rare)
- Dysphagia - caused by formation of peptic stricture after long-standing reflux
Recognise the signs of GORD on physical examination
Usually NORMAL- can have halitosis, enamel erosion
Occasionally -
- epigastric tenderness
- wheeze on chest auscultation
- dysphonia
Identify appropriate investigations for GORD and interpret the results
Diagnosis is clinical, supported by testing when required. Heartburn and regurgitation are the most reliable symptoms
- If suspected: PPI Trial
- Further tests are indicated if symptoms do not improve with therapeutic 8-week trial of a PPI
- or if patient has alarm symptoms
If GORD persists:
-
Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) and biopsy
- may show oesophagitis (erosion, ulcerations, strictures) or Barrett’s oesophagus
- can exclude malignancy – must exclude for all >55 years
- Barium swallow and meal: sliding hiatus hernia, oesophageal ulcer,stricture.
- Ambulatory 24-hour pH monitoring: assess the degree of reflux.
-
Oesophageal manometry
- evaluates oesophageal contractions and lower oesophageal sphincter function.
- It may detect subtle presentations of oesophageal motility disorders such as achalasia or diffuse oesophageal spasm.
State a general management plan for GORD
Lose weight, avoid smoking, coffee, alcohol, chocolate, tomatoes and citrus juices.
Avoid tight garments, stooping and large meals.
Elevate head of bed. Avoid of late-night eating if nocturnal symptoms are present.
State a medical management plan for GORD
Control acid secretion
- H2 receptor antagonists (e.g. ranitidine)
- PPIs (e.g. omeprazole, esomeprazole).
- Antacids (sodium bicarbonate) may be effective in controlling symptoms in mild disease.
- Provides rapid symptom relief and healing in oesophagitis (>80% of patients).
Minimize effects of reflux
- Alginates to protect oesophagus
Improve LOS tone and promote gastric emptying.
- prokinetic agents
- (e.g. bethanechol, metoclopramide, domperidone)
State a surgical/interventional management plan for GORD
Endoscopy:
- Annual endoscopic surveillance - looking for Barrett’s Oesophagus
- May be necessary for stricture dilation or stenting
Surgery:
- Antireflux surgery if refractory to medical treatment
- eg Nissen Fundoplication: fundus of the stomach is wrapped around the lower oesophagus - helps reduce the risk of hiatus hernia and reduce reflux
- gives excellent results.
- Indicated in approximately 20% of patients with GORD:
- failed optimum medical treatment
- complications of reflux (benign stricture, Barrrett’s oesophagus)
- severe oesophagitis on endoscopy
- ‘large volume’ reflux.
Identify the possible complications of GORD
- Oesophageal ulceration
- Peptic stricture
- Anaemia
- Barrett’s oesophagus
- Oesophageal adenocarcinoma
- Associated with asthma and chronic laryngitis
Summarise the prognosis of patients with GORD
- 50% respond to lifestyle measures alone
- In patients that require drug therapy, withdrawal is often associated with relapse- however, there are risks associated with long-term use of these drugs
- 20% of patients undergoing endoscopy for GORD have Barrett’s oesophagus
- Oesophageal adenocarcinoma may be a serious though rare complication of GORD.
Define Barrets oesophagus
A metaplastic change in the normal squamous epithelium of the oesophagus to specialised intestinal metaplasia (columnar epithelium)
SQUAMOUS → COLUMNAR
Explain the aetiology of Barrett’s oesophagus
The primary aetiological factor involved in Barrett’s oesophagus is gastro-oesophageal reflux.
However, there is evidence that combined acid and bile reflux are the primary causative agents.
Explain the pathophysiology of Barrett’s oesophagus
Prolonged exposure of the normal squamous epithelium to refluxate of GORD leads to mucosal inflammation and erosion
This leads to replacement of the mucosa with metaplastic columnar stem cell
State the risk factors for Barrets oesophagus
Mix of environmental and genetic factors
- acid/bile reflux or GORD
- increased age
- white ethnicity
- male sex
- family history of Barrett’s oesophagus or oesophageal adenocarcinoma
- obesity
- smoking
Why is Barrets oesophagus potentially life-threatening?
Intestinal cell metaplasia caused by Barrets could develop to low-grade dysplasia
This is a PREMALIGNANT condition - high grade displasia can then develop to adenocarcinoma