Pathology of the Esophagus Flashcards
This disorder is a protrusion of the stomach into the chest through an enlarged diaphragmatic opening.
Hiatal hernia (sliding or paraesophageal)
This type of esophageal obstruction is due to high resting pressure or failure to relax.
Lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction
What is the most common cause of infectious esophagitis?
Candidiasis
This type of esophageal obstruction is short-lived due to a lack of coordination in the muscular layers.
Nutcracker esophagus
Where is esophageal adenocarcinoma most likely to develop?
Distal esophagus since this is where Barrett’s esophagus originally develops
What is the most common esophageal cancer worldwide?
Squamous cell carcinoma
This esophageal pathology is similar to esophageal webs, but includes thicker and circumferential protrusions.
Esophageal rings
What is the most common cause of esophageal varices in developed countries?
Portal hypertension due to cirrhosis
What is the most common benign tumor of the esophagus?
Leiomyoma
What is the most common esophageal cancer in the USA?
Esophageal adenocarcinoma
What are the most common causes of viral esophagitis?
HSV (healthy people and people with transplants), CMV (immunosuppressed)
What is esophageal stenosis?
Narrowing of the esophageal lumen due to fibrotic thickening
Esophageal lacerations are generally secondary to what cause?
Acute intoxication
What are known risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus?
Alcohol, tobacco, Plummer-Vinson Syndrome, hot drinks, radiation, diets deficient in fruit and vegetables
This disease is a complication of chronic GERD that causes intestinal metaplasia in the esophagus.
Barrett’s Esophagus
What are the most common causes of esophageal bleeding?
Lacerations, perforations, varices
Barrett’s esophagus increases the risk of development of what malignancy?
Esophageal adenocarcinoma
What is the least severe cause of esophageal bleeding that rarely requires medical intervention?
Lacerations (Mallory-Weiss Tears)
Esophageal perforations are life-threatening bleed of the distal esophagus. What is a common cause?
Sudden increase in intraluminal pressure (usually due to violent vomiting)
What tumor suppressor genes are implicated in esophageal adenocarcinoma?
TP53, CDKN2A
These outpouchings may form in the esophagus due to increased wall stress and may capture food.
Zenker diverticulum
A “bird’s beak” appearance is associated with what esophageal disorder?
Achalasia
What is achalasia?
An esophageal disorder characterized by incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, increased sphincter tone, and a-peristalsis of the esophagus
How do esophageal adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma differ with regard to location?
Esophageal adenocarcinoma appears in the distal esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma commonly appears in the proximal and middle esophagus
What are esophageal varices?
Dilated veins in the lower esophagus - a medical emergency when they rupture
What is the most common type of esophagitis?
Reflux esophagitis
This type of esophageal obstruction is due to repetitive and simultaneous contracts of the distal esophageal muscles.
Diffuse esophageal spasm / Corkscrew esophagus
