Pathology of the esophagus Flashcards
What is dysphagia?
DIfficulty swallowing due to mechanical and functional disorders
What is odynophagia?
Painful swallowing
Problems swallowing solids and liquids problems are suggestive or what type of etiology, as opposed to solids alone?
Nerve problems
Solids alone is more likely obstructional
What are the ssx of achlasia?
Progressive dysphagia, nocturnal regurgitation, or functional obstruction
What are the three abnormalities associated with achalasia?
Aperistalsis
Incomplete relaxation of LES
Increased resting tone of LES
What are the causes of achalasia?
primary = unknown
Secondary = changes in innervation (NO VIP release)
What is the morphology of achalasia?
Dilated lower esophagus
What is the danger associated with achalasia?
SCC
ASpiration
Obstruction
Damage to what nerve plexus can lead to achalasia?
Myenteric
What are the pathological changes above the esophagus in achalasia? (3)
Muscular hypertrophy/thinning
Diminished myenteric ganglia
Mucosal damage
What is the infectious organism that can lead to secondary achalasia?
Chagas disease (trypanosoma cruzi destroys ganglion cells)
Disorder of what motor nuclei can lead to achalasia?
Vagal dorsal motor nuclei
How can DM cause achalasia?
Neuropathy
What are the infiltrative disorders that can cause secondary achalasia?
Malignancy
Amyloidosis
Sarcoidosis
What are the two different hiatal hernias?
Sliding (whole cardiac portion)
Paraesophageal (just a finger projection)
What is the complication that can occur with a paraesophageal hiatal hernia?
Strangulation of the esophagus
What is a true diverticulum?
Has all four components of the GI tract wall outpouched
What is a false diverticulum?
Just mucosa and submucosa are outpouched
What is a Zenker diverticulum? Is this true or false?
Immediately above the UES
False
What is a traction diverticulum? Is this true or false?
Midportion of the esophagus
True
What is an epiphrenic diverticula? Is this true or false?
Immediately above the LES
True
What is the cause of Traction diverticula?
Congenital or scarring
What is the cause of epiphrenic diverticula?
Peristaltic discoordination
What are Mallory-Weiss tears?
Longitudinal tears at GE junction, caused by failure of the relaxation of the LES and peptic ulcers
What is the complication with esophageal varices?
Can rupture and bleed–very hard to stop
What is the infectious agent that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, and esophageal varices?
Schistosomiasis