Oesophageal disorders Flashcards
Define Achalasia
failure of esophageal peristalsis and failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax with swallowing
- difficulty swallowing solids and liquids
- may be associated with chest pain and regurgitation
- thought to be due to degeneration of the myenteric plexus resulting in loss of inhibitory neutrons in the lower oesophageal sphincter
- rare: 1/100,00
How is Achalasia diagnosed
Barium swallow shows “birds beak” appearance
- initial test
Manometry is gold standard - esophageal aperistalsis and incomplete (or absence of) relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter with wet swallows
How is Achalasia managed?
Surgical release of LOS with myotomy - often complicated by GORD which may require Nissen fundoplication
- most effective
Balloon dilatation
Botox injection to LOS - lasts 6-9 months
Calcium channel blockers and nitrites - short term management
What are some common causes of infectious oesophagitis and their treatments?
Candida - dysphagia, white plaques on endoscopy
- treat with Fluconazole
HSV - multiple superficial ulcers
- treat with Acyclovir
CMV - isolated oesophageal ulcers, CMV inclusion bodies on histology
- treat with IV Gancyclovir
- all usually in immunocompromised individuals
What medications commonly cause “pill induced oesophagitis” ?
Tetracyclines Iron Bisphosphonates NSAIDs Potassium Quinidine
How is eosinphilic oesophagi’s defined?
eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal mucosa
greater than 15 eosinophils/hpf on esophageal endoscopic biopsy and by exclusion of GORD (must trial PPI prior to diagnosis)
- typically presents with solid-food dysphagia and food impaction
What is the epidemiology of eosinophilic oesophagitis?
Usually presents in adults
incidence is increasing in parallel to increased rates of asthma and allergy
- high rates of asthma in those with eosinophilic oesophagi’s
54 per 100,000 in the United States
M > F
What is the management of eosinophilic oesophagitis?
initial treatment is with swallowed aerosolized corticosteroids
- often requires repeated treatment
Patients with refractory disease may need a combination of esophageal dilation, systemic corticosteroids, or a food elimination diet
What are the alarm symptoms of GORD?
dysphagia, anemia, vomiting, or weight loss
- suggests complications from mucosal injury
- this should prompt investigation with endoscopy
What is the gold standard investigation fro GORD?
Ambulatory pH monitoring
- performed if no response to PPI with normal endoscopy
What is the treatment algorithm for GORD?
symptoms without alarm features - trial PPI, lifestyle modification
if no response to PPI then refer for gastroscopy
- H2 blockers may be used in patients who are intolerant of or allergic to PPIs. Tachyphylaxis may occur with H2 blockers.
Name two associated diseases thought to be increased by PPI use.
Pneumonia
C. diff
* increased cardiovascular events on Clopidogrel + PPI is questionable
When is surgery considered in GORD?
Refractory reflux
Confirmed with ambulatory pH studies
PPI allergies
Nissen fundoplication is about as effective as PPI
- small but significant rate (10% to 15%) of dysphagia, bloating, and diarrhea after successful antireflux surgery
What is Barrett’s Oesophagus?
a premalignant complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease in which the normal squamous epithelium of the distal esophagus is replaced by specialized columnar epithelium normally found in the stomach
- it is most common in white patients with long-standing, severe GORD
- Approximately 10% of patients with chronic GERD symptoms have BE on endoscopy
What is the risk of malignancy with Barrett’s Oesophagus?
30-50 fold increase risk of adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus
Annual incidence of 0.5%