Upper GI Flashcards
What are the normal histological characteristics of the Oesophagus?
- Squamous stratified epithelium (no goblet cells) in upper Part
then
Z -line/ squamo-columnar junction
then Columnar epitheium
Recall the different anatomical parts of the stomach
What are the normal histological features of the body of the stomach?
No goblet cells
What is the normal histology of the gastric antrum?
Non-specialised glands (compared to specialised glands in body)
(still no goblet cells)
What are the normal histological features of the duodenum?
What is the commonest cause of oesophagitis?
Reflux (= GORD)
What are some of the complications of Reflux oesophagitis?
- ulceration
- haemorrhage
- perforation
- stricture
- Barrett’s oesophagus
What is Barrett’s oesophagus?
What is the main complication?
Replacement of squamous epithelium by
metaplastic columnar epithelium (in 10% of patients with symptomatic GORD)
2 types:
without goblet cells: gastric metaplasia
with goblet cells: intestinal type metaplasia (even higher risk of Cancer)
Main risk : development of Cancer
Explain the asociation between Barrets Oesophagus and Oedophageal adenocarcinoma
Metaplasia (Barret’s) can lead to –> Dysplasia –> Cancer
Therefore adenocarcinoma usually seen in distal 1/3 of oesophagus
(Adenocarcinoma more common thatn squamous cell in developed countries)
What is the most common oesophageal cancer in developing countries?
What are the risk factors?
What is the main location this is found?
Squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma
Usually in middle 1/3 (50%), Upper 1/3. 20%, lower 1/3 30%
Associated with Alcohol and Smoking, more common in Afro-carribbeans
What is the main aetiological difference between acute vs. chronic gastritis?
Acute = due to an acute insult
Chronic = chornic or persistent insult
What are the main causes of acute gastritis?
Chemical
- aspirin/NSAIDs
- alcohol
- corrosives
Infection
e.g. Helicobacter
pylori
What are the main causes of chronic gastritis?
- Autoimmune (antiparietal antibodies etc. body)
- Bacterial (H. pylori; antrum )
- Chemical (NSAIDs, bile reflux; antrum )
What pattern od disease does Helicobacter pylori usually produce?
Causes chronic gastritis +/- activity
* +/- ulcers
Explain the relationship between chronic H.pylori infection and cancer
H.pylori infection causes and 8x risk of non-cardia gastric cancers (incl. adenocarcinoma) due to
- Ulcers –> malignancy
- MALT –> lymphoid tissue in stomach and risk of MALT lymphoma