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Oesophageal disorders Flashcards

1
Q

Define dyspepsia

A

Upper GI symptoms typically present for 4+ weeks, including: upper abdominal pain/discomfort, heartburn, acid reflux, NaV

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2
Q

Define GORD

A

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is a chronic condition of abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the oesophagus, which causes predominant symptoms of heartburn and acid regurgitation.

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3
Q

What is ‘proven GORD’?

A

Endoscopically-determined reflux disease

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4
Q

How does GORD typically present?

A 
Oesophageal symptoms:
Heartburn (25%) - burning retrosternal discomfort
Acid brash - acid or bile regurgitation
Water brash - excessive salivation
Odynophagia - pain on swallowing
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5
Q

Name 3 atypical clinical features of GORD

A 
Extra-oesophageal symptoms (atypical):
Chest pain, epigastric pain, bloating
Nocturnal asthma
Chronic cough
Laryngitis (Cherry-Donner syndrome)
Sinusitis
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6
Q

Name 5 risk factors for GORD

A

Lifestyle: obesity, trigger foods, smoking, alcohol, coffee, stress
Drugs: CCBs, anticholinergics, theophylline, BDZs, nitrates
Pregnancy

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7
Q

What complications can occur due to GORD?

A 
Oesophagitis
Ulcers
Benign strictures
Iron-deficiency anaemia
Barrett's oesophagus ➔ Oesophageal adenocarcinoma
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8
Q

What is Barrett’s oesophagus?

A

A precancerous stage seen in 10-15% GORD, associated with the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (1-10% in next 20yr).

Metaplasia of oesophageal stratified squamous epithelium ➔ simple columnar epithelium

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9
Q

Name 3 causes of GORD

A

Lower oesophageal sphincter problems
Delayed gastric emptying e.g. gastric outlet obstruction
Hiatus hernia
Obesity/pregnancy

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10
Q

What may be seen on histology of GORD?

A

Gastric metaplasia ➔ low risk of malignancy
Intestinal metaplasia ➔ 2 yearly surveillance
Low-grade dysplasia ➔ 90% develop cancer within 6yr
High-grade dysplasia ➔ 50% have adenocarcinoma

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11
Q

What is used to grade Barrett’s oesophagus?

A

Prague C and M endoscopic grading system

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12
Q

How is Barrett’s oesophagus treated?

A

High-grade dysplasia: Surgical resection, endoscopic mucosal resection, or ablation

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13
Q

Name 3 differential diagnoses for GORD

A 
Oesophagitis from:
Corrosives
NSAIDs
Herpes
Candida

Peptic ulcer disease
Cancer
Cardiac cause e.g. MI

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14
Q

Describe the pathology of strictures in GORD

A

Chronic fibrosis and epithelial destruction

Eventual shortening and narrowing of the lower oesophagus ➔ potential fixation and susceptibility to further reflux

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15
Q

What are the annual and lifetime recurrence risks of GORD? Which patient group is more likely to relapse?

A

Annual recurrence risk of untreated GORD: 50%
Lifetime risk of recurrence: 80%

More likely to relapse in people with severe oesophagitis

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16
Q

Name 4 indications for investigations for GORD

A 
Age >45
Symptoms last >4wks
Persistent vomiting
GI bleeding or iron deficiency
Palpable mass
Dysphagia
Weight loss
Failed medical treatment
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17
Q

Why could OGD be preformed for any presentation of GORD in over 45s?

A

Exclude oesophageal malignancy

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18
Q

How is GORD investigated?

A

Endoscopy
24h continuous pH monitoring +- manometry
Barium swallow - may show hiatus hernia

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19
Q

Describe a positive pH investigation result for GORD

A

GORD symptoms correspond with pH peaks

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20
Q

What physiological features protect against GORD?

A

Lower oesophageal sphincter
Fundus located posteriorly and superiorly
Crus of diaphragm
Expansion of stomach

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21
Q

Outline the lifestyle management of GORD

A 
Smoking cessation
Weight loss
Decrease alcohol consumption
Small regular meals
Avoid trigger foods
Sleep with head of bed raised
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22
Q

Outline the initial medical management of GORD

A

Review and stop any drugs that exacerbate symptoms

  • Relax LOS: nitrates, anticholinergics, CCBs
  • Damage mucosa: NSAIDs, K+ salts, bisphosphonates

Full-dose Omeprazole or Lansoprazole for 4 weeks
If severe oesophagitis ➔ 8 weeks

23
Q

How should refractory or recurrent GORD be medically managed?

A

Consider alternative diagnosis
Check patient adherence to initial management
Reinforce lifestyle advice
Further 4wks of PPI at full-dose or double-dose, or
Add H2R antagonist at bedtime
If severe ➔ 8wk PPI

Offer full-dose PPI long-term as maintenance treatment
Switch to H2RA if endoscopy-negative reflux

24
Q

What are the surgical indications for GORD?

A

Refractory to treatment, persistent, or unexplained
Controlled on PPI/H2RA, but does not want long-term or cannot tolerate treatment
Associated with risk factors for Barrett’s oesophagus

Large volume reflux with risk of aspiration pneumonia
Complications: stricture and severe ulceration

25
Outline the surgical management of GORD
Laparoscopic 'Nissen' fundoplication: wrapping the fundus around the lower oesophagus
26
Name and differentiate between the types of hiatus hernias
Sliding hiatus hernia (80%): Gastro-oesophageal junction slides up into the chest. Gross acid reflux is commoner. Rolling hiatus hernia (20%): Gastro-oesophageal junction remains in chest, but a bulge of the stomach herniates into the chest, alongside the oesophagus. Symptoms include hiccough, 'pressure' in chest, odynophagia.
27
Outline the medical management of hiatus hernias
Weight loss Symptomatic relief with H2RAs PPIs Metoclopramide - promote oesophageal and gastric emptying
28
What investigations are used for suspected hiatus hernia?
Barium swallow* Upper GI endoscopy - exclude oesophageal mucosal pathology CT thorax - acute presentation
29
Define hiatus hernia
Presence of part or all of the stomach within the thoracic cavity. Usually by protrusion through the oesophageal hiatus in the diaphragm.
30
Outline the surgical management of hiatus hernias
Prophylactic surgical hernia repair - avoid strangulation Gastropexy: reduction and fixation of stomach to oesophagus Nissen fundoplication: if GORD symptoms predominate
31
Name 3 types of oesophageal tumours
Adenocarcinoma (commonest) Squamous carcinoma Lipoma and GI stromal tumours Rhabdomyo(sarco)ma
32
Differentiate between the pathological features of oesophageal adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma: Associated with dietary nitrosamines, GORD, and Barrett's oesophagus. Most commonly occurs in the lower 1/3 of oesophagus. Squamous carcinoma: Associated with smoking, alcohol, poor fruit/veg intake, chronic achalasia, and chronic caustic strictures. May occur anywhere in the oesophagus.
33
Describe the presentation of oesophageal tumours
``` Painless progressive dysphagia (any new dysphagia, esp in over 45s, is assumed to be tumour until proven otherwise) Haematemsis - rare Heartburn/GORD - if LOS involvement Weight loss/malnourishment Incidental finding ``` Disseminated disease: Cervical lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly (mets), epigastric mass (para-aortic lymph) Local invasion: Dysphonia (RLN palsy), cough and haemoptysis (tracheal), neck swelling (SVC obstruction), Horner's syndrome (Miosis, partial ptosis, anhidrosis)
34
Name 5 risk factors for oesophageal tumours
Obesity Smoking, alcohol, diet - squamous carcinoma Age >45 - new dysphagia is tumour till proven otherwise Barrett's oesophagus Alchalasia Radiotherapy
35
How are suspected oesophageal tumours investigated?
Flexible oesophagoscopy and biopsy | Barium swallow if failed intubation or suspected post-cricoid carcinoma (often missed by endoscopy)
36
What staging investigations are done for oesophageal tumours?
Endoluminal USS - assess depth of local invasion CT - local invasion, lymph involvement, liver PET - disseminated disease
37
What are the commonest patters of oesophageal cancer metastases?
``` Lymph nodes Lung Liver Bones Adrenal glands Brain ```
38
Outline the management of oesophageal tumours
Palliative (many present with incurable disease) - Endoluminal metal stent for dysphagia - External beam radiotherapy - Systemic chemotherapy Potentially curative - Squamous: Radical chemoradiotherapy or neoadjuvant chemo + resection - Adeno (small) or high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's oesophagus: Surgical resection, endoscopic mucosal resection, or ablation - Adeno (large): Neoadjuvant chemo + resection
39
Define achalasia
A primary oesophageal motility disorder characterised by the absence of oesophageal peristalsis and impaired relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter in response to swallowing.
40
What is the pathology of achalasia?
Degeneration of the myenteric plexus
41
Describe the presentation of achalasia
``` Slow progressive dysphagia (fluids ➔ solids) Chest pain/Heartburn Regurgitation of undigested food (late) Weight loss Secondary recurrent aspiration pneumonia ```
42
How can achalasia be investigated?
Barium swallow CXR Manometry Oesophagoscopy - exclude malignancy
43
What findings may be present on CXR with achalasia?
Fluid filled dilated oesophagus Right convex opacity behind right cardiac border Small/absent gastric air bubble Anterior displacement and bowing of trachea Patchy alveolar opacities - aspiration pneumonia
44
What findings may be present on barium swallow with achalasia?
Bird beak sign Oesophageal dilatation Incomplete LOS relaxation uncoordinated with peristalsis Pooling/stasis of barium (late)
45
How is achalasia managed?
Endoscopic balloon dilatation (80% success rate) Heller's cardiomyotomy - division of LO circular muscle (Complications: reflux, gastro-oesophageal obstruction, oesophageal perforation) Botulinum injections *PPI after intervention to minimise risk of GORD
46
Describe the clinical presentation of oesophageal perforation
Neck, chest, or epigastric pain Dysphagia Dyspnoea
47
Describe the pathology of oesophageal perforation
Lack of a serosal later (contains collagen and elastin) in the oesophagus makes it more vulnerable.
48
Name 3 causes of oesophageal perforation
Iatrogenic (80%) - esp. endoscopy and stricture dilatation Trauma (blunt and penetrating) Foreign body or corrosive material ingestion Oesophageal cancer Boerhaave syndrome (15%) - spontaneous transmural perforation of oesophagus secondary to straining or vomiting
49
What is Boerhaave syndrome?
Spontaneous transmural perforation of oesophagus secondary to straining or vomiting. Most commonly occurs in males aged 40-60 typically after vomiting, drinking and eating binges.
50
Describe the prognosis of oesophageal perforation
Rare but serious medical emergency with a very high mortality rate, esp. if diagnosis is delayed (5-75%) Infection and inflammatory reaction can quickly spread to nearby tissues and organs. Complications include pneumonia, mediastinitis, sepsis, empyema, and ARDS
51
Outline the medical management of oesophageal perforation
``` Referral to ICU NBM + NG suction Parenteral nutritional support Broad-spectrum ABX Analgesia ```
52
Outline the surgical options for oesophageal perforation
Primary repair Diversion Oesophageal resection Oesophageal stent
53
Name 3 complications of oesophageal cancer
Hoarse voice Pneumonia Fistula Metastases

General Surgery (23 decks)

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