Oesophagogastric Flashcards
Describe the musculature of the oesophagus
In two layers as is the norm throughout the GI tract
- Outer longitudinal
- Inner circular
Upper third is striated
Lower third is smooth muscle
Middle third is mixed
- There is a gradual transition in muscle type
Describe the mucosa of the oesophagus
Stratified squamous non keratinizing
Muscularis mucosae absent in uppermost part and thick in lower part
Mucous secreting glands at upper and lower parts
Management of bleeding oesophageal varices
Banding
- Recommended first line therapy
Sclerotherapy
- high rebleed rates compared with banding and may increase portal pressures
Tamponade
- Not good, use only if absolutey necessary
- High risk of serious complications in inexperienced hands.
- Dual balloon system is preferable- inflate in stomach and gentle traction
- Aim transfer-
- high rebleed rates (50%)
- Aim transfer-
Terlipressin
- Vasopressin analogue
- Induces sphlancnic vasoconstriction
- 3-4% mortality reduction
- Octreotide is another (less effective) option
Antibiotics (broad spectrum)
- A significant percentage of patients will have variceal bleeding due to decompensation associated with sepsis
- Emperic braod spectrum antibiotics significantly reduce the rebleeding risk
Shunting
- TIPS
- Excellent bleeding and rebleeding control
- 50% rate of encephalopathy within the year
- Open shunting
- Selective distal splenorenal
- Less risk of late encephalopathy and shunt occlusion but high morbidity and mortality in cirrosis from surgery
Beta Blockers and ISMN
- Non selective beta blocker (nadolol)
- Decreases rebleeding risk
- Combination of ISMN and beta blockade is superior
Acid suppression
- PPI and Sucralfate
Gastrin
Secreted by G cells in gastric antrum
Acts to increase
- Gastic motility
- Gastric acid production
Management of chylothorax
Tube thoracostomy
Medium chain triglyceride diet or TPN
Octreotide
What is the role for antireflux treatments in Barretts oesophagus
Medical therapy
- Has recently been shown to improve outcomes in Barretts
- High dose better than low dose
- Combined with aspirin (if not using an NSAID already) is superior still
Antireflux surgery
- 1 RCT of PPI vs surgery has shown reduction in the length of Barretts segment.
- No evidence of reduced malignancy risk
- Symptomatic management
What is the role for ablation in Barretts
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and RFA both have been shown to reduce the risk of adenocarcinoma by 50% in individuals with high grade dysplasia
There is also a role for ablation in LGD as it prevents progression to HGD
There is no evidence for ablation in non dysplastic Barretts
What is Barretts Oesophagus
Barrett’s Oesophagus (BO) is a premalignant condition of the oesophagus defined as the presence of metaplastic columnar epithelium, which endoscopically appears as salmon pink mucosa, extending above the gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ) and into the tubular oesophagus, thereby replacing the stratified squamous epithelium that normally lines the distal oesophagus.
What is the histological definition of Barretts oesophagus
Differing definitions are given in guidelines from Europe and the USA.
It is generally agreed that Barrett’s Oesophagus is characterised by metaplastic columnar mucosa replacing normal oesophageal squamous mucosa,
- At this time clinical studies are contradictory about whether histologically-proven intestinal metaplasia (IM) with morphologically typical goblet cells should be necessary for its diagnosis
- Intestinal type metaplasia is the only subtype which is clearly shown to clearly increase the adenocarcinoma risk
- American guidelines require IM for the diagnosis
- British do not and any columnar metaplasia is adequate for the diagnosis
- Cancer council Australia gives seperate recommendations for each.
- 1-3cm, no IM then single repeat at 3-5 years and stop if still no IM
- 1-3cm, IM, repeat endoscopy every 3-5 years
- >3cm always for surveillance every 2-3 years
- Intestinal type metaplasia is the only subtype which is clearly shown to clearly increase the adenocarcinoma risk
Higher number of biopsies correlate with more accurate diagnosis of IM
Histology from lower oesophageal biopsy of an area of salmon pink mucosal change

This shows columnar epithelial change with goblet cells consistent with barretts and intestinal type metaplasia
How is the GOJ identified on endoscopy
Proximal extent of the gastric folds is the definition used in the prague classification
- Termination of the pallisade vessels is an acceptible secondary measure
Barretts >1cm is the generally accepted definition of actually being present
Prague Criteria

What are the recommendations for biopsy in Barretts
The Seattle protocol
- Careful assessment for any areas of ulceration or nodularity
- Use narrow band imaging as an adjunct
- These should undergo targeted biopsy
- Then random 4 quadrant biopsies at 2cm intervals, unless:
- known or suspected dysplasia then quadrantic biopsies every 1cm
Forceps should be placed perpendicular to the surface then endoscopic suction to collapse the lumen
Spraying dilute adrenaline may be of assistance
Surveillance of Barretts
No dysplasia or malignancy
Short (<3cm)
- 3-5 years
Long
- 2-3 years

Barretts surveillance
indefinite for dysplasia
BO SURVEILLANCE PROTOCOL
INDEFINITE FOR DYSPLASIA ON BIOPSY
The changes of indefinite for dysplasia on biopsy should be confirmed by a second pathologist, ideally an expert gastrointestinal pathologist. If indefinite for dysplasia is confirmed, then the following endoscopic surveillance is recommended:
Repeat endoscopy in 6 months with Seattle protocol biopsies for suspected dysplasia (biopsy of any mucosal irregularity and quadrantic biopsies every 1cm) on maximal acid suppression.
If repeat shows no dysplasia then follow as per non-dysplastic protocol.
If repeat shows low grade or high grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma then follow as per protocols for these respective conditions.
If repeat again shows confirmed indefinite for dysplasia, then repeat endoscopy in 6 months with Seattle protocol biopsies for suspected dysplasia (biopsy of any mucosal irregularity and quadrantic biopsies every 1cm).
Barretts oesophagus surveillance:
Low grade dysplasia
Should be confirmed by a second pathologist
- Ideally an expert gastrointestinal pathologist.
- If low grade dysplasia is confirmed, then:
- Repeat endoscopy every 6 months with Seattle protocol biopsies for dysplasia
- biopsy of any mucosal irregularity and quadrantic biopsies every 1cm.
- If two consecutive 6 monthly endoscopies with Seattle dysplasia biopsy protocol show no dysplasia, consider reverting to a less frequent follow up schedule.
- Repeat endoscopy every 6 months with Seattle protocol biopsies for dysplasia
BO surveillance
high grade dysplasia
refer to specialist centre
consider ablation
How is duodenal polyposis classified

Histological features of dysplasia in Barretts
Cytometry- Nuclear shape and size
Architecture- Cellular crowding
What is the risk of progression to adenocarcinoma in Barrett’s without dysplasia
0.33% per annum
What are the rates of progression to adenocarcinoma in Barretts with dysplasia
Low grade dysplasia
- 1% per annum
High grade dyslasia
- 6-7% per annum
Is surveillance in Barretts effective
No
but there is no better alternative yet
Most societies recommend surveillance
How would you manage Barretts with HGD
Refer to a specialist centre for consideration of EMR or ablation
- EMR provides opportunity for histology
- Halo (RFA) is the most common form of ablation
Surgery also has a role
- Especially long segment
- Multifocal disease
- HH
- Patient preference
Barretts with active oesophagitis
Can’t be accurately called, esp dysplasia
Treat the oesophagitis and rescope in 6 months with Seattle protocol biopsies again















