Oral & oesophageal pathology Flashcards
Define what GORD is
This is symptoms of oesophagitis secondary to refluxed gastric contents (≥ 2 heartburn episodes per week &/or complications)
Note - think of it as chronic oesophagitis
What are the 3 pathophysiological causes of GORD?
- Due to either an incompetent lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) +/- a hiatus hernia
- Abnormal oesophageal motility
- Increased intra-abdo pressure e.g. obesity, pregnancy
What are the complications of GORD ?
- Oesophagitis - may present as upper GI bleeding
- Benign oesophageal stricture formation
- Barretts oesophagus
What is barretts oesophagus ?
It is where the distal oesophagus undergoes metaplasia from squamous to columnar epithelium
What is dysplasia ?
This is the development of abnormal cells within any tissue type
Define what metaplasia is
This is the replacement of one differentiated cell type with another mature differentiated cell type
What is the classical macroscopic appearance of barretts oesophagus ?
Red velvety mucosa in distal (lower) oesophagus
What does barretts oesophagus increase the risk of ?
Oesophageal cancer - adenocarcinoma
If someone is diagnosed with barretts oesophagus what is the management of this ?
- 1st line = Endoscopic survellience (every 3-5 years) + biopsies & high dose PPI
- 2nd line = If dysphagia develops either endoscopic muscoal ressection or radiofrequency ablation done
What are the symptoms of GORD?
- Heartburn (dyspepsia)
- Acid reflux
- Waterbrash
- Dysphagia
- Odonophagia - painful swallowing
- Weight loss
- Chest pain
- Hoarsness
- Coughing
How is GORD diagnosed ?
1st line = upper GI endoscopy if they have symptoms for > 4 weeks &:
- Persistent vomiting
- GI bleeding/iron def. anaemia
- Palpable mass
- Age > 55
- Dysphagia
- Symptoms despite treatment or relapsing
- Weight loss
2nd line = 24hrs oesophageal pH monitoring +/- manometry if endoscopy is normal
Note - also would offer H.pylori testing and a barium swallow may be useful if suspecting a hiatus hernia
What causes acute oesophagitis ?
Corrosives:
- NSAID’s
- Infections in immunocompromised patients - candidiasis, herpes, CMV
What is the treatment of endoscopically proven oesophagitis/GORD ?
- 1st line = Full dose PPI for 1-2 months + if response then low dose treatment as required
- 2nd line = if no response then double-dose PPI for 1 month
What is the treatment of endoscopically negative oeosphagitis/GORD?
- 1st line = full dose PPI for 1 month + if response then offer low dose treatment
- 2nd line = if no response then H2RA or prokinetic for one month
What is the 3rd line options for treating GORD/oesophagitis and who is it used for?
- Laproscopic fundoplication (this heals the oesophagitis)
- Used for young patients, severe/unresponsive or those who do not wish or cannot tolerate PPI therapy
What is allergic ‘eosinophilic’ oesophagitis and its key features ?
- This has a similar presentation to GORD but patients typically have a personal/fam history of allergy, asthma, or atopy
- pH probe is negative for reflux & increased eosinophils are seen in the blood
How is allergic oesophagitis diagnosed ?
Oesophageal biopsy demonstrating a large number of intraepithelial eosinophils
What is the treatment of allergic oesophagitis ?
1st line = steroids (fluticasone inhaler)
What is a hiatus hernia and what are the 2 types ?
Herniation of part of the stomach above the diaphragm. There are 2 types:
- Sliding - the gastroesophageal junction moves above the diaphragm
- Rolling (paraoesophageal): the gastroesophageal junctions remains below the diaphragm but a separate part of the stomach herniates through the oesophageal hiatus
What are the clinical features suggestive of a hiatus hernia ?
- Symptoms of GORD
- Patient classically obese & female
- Shouldnt usually be associated with dysphagia or haematemesis
How is a hiatus hernia diagnosed ?
Barium swallow
What is the treatment of a hiatus hernia ?
- 1st line = loose weight & treat reflux (GORD treatment)
- Surgical repair if rolling hiatus hernia or persistent symptoms despite aggressive treatment
What is gastroparesis ?
It is an autoimmune neuropathy resulting in delayed gastric emptying
What are the sign/symptoms of gastroparesis ?
- Diabetic
- Feeling of fullness/ early saiety
- Nausea & vomiting
- Weight loss
- Upper abdo pain
- Dyspepsia (indegestion/heartburn)
- Bloating after eating
What are the risk factors for gastroparesis development ?
- Idiopathic
- Diabetes mellitus
- Cannabis
- Medication e.g. opiates, anticholinergics
- Systemic diseases e.g. systemic sclerosis
How is gastroparesis diagnosed?
Gastric scintigraphy with a 99Technetium-labelled meal
How is gastroparesis treated?
Promotility agents:
- either anti-emetics (metoclopramide, doperidone)
- or Erythrpmycin
Remove precipitating factors e.g. drugs & eat little/ often with a liquid/sloppy diet
Gastric pacemaker may be required
What is achalasia ?
Failure of oesophageal peristalsis and of relaxation of lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) due to degenerative loss of ganglia from Auerbach’s plexus i.e. LOS contracted, oesophagus above dilated.
What are the clinical features of achalasia ?
- Dysphagia of BOTH liquids and solids
- Typically variation in severity of symptoms
- heartburn
- Regurgitation of food - may lead to cough, aspiration pneumonia etc
- Weight loss
What are the results of the 2 main investigations for achalasia ?
- CXR shows wide mediastinum due to dilated oesophagus & fluid level in oesophagus
- Barium swallow shows dilated tapering oesophagus ‘bird-beak’ appearance & fluid level in oesophagus
- Manometry is the gold standard investigation - it shows excessive LOS tone which doesnt relax on swallowing (done after CXR & barium swallow)