Week 2: Dysphagia Flashcards
Types of dysphagia
3 listed
- Mechanical
- dysmotility
- or both
How long is the esophagus?
20-22 cm long muscular tube
Which muscular layer is most superficial?
outer longitudinal layer
Inner circular layer
Categories of causes of oropharyngeal dysphagia
Neuromuscular or Structural causes
Neuromuscular causes of oropharyngeal dysphagia
8 listed
- CVA/stroke
- ALS
- Brain tumor
- Poliomyelitis
- Myasthenia gravis
- Muscular dystrophies
- Polymyositis and dermatomyositis
- UES dysfunction
Structural causes of oropharyngeal dysphagia
- Pharyngitis
- Radiation injury
- Cervical osteophyte
- Head and Neck cancer
- Thyromegaly/Goiter
- Zencker’s diverticulum
What is dysphagia?
Symptoms that result from the slowing or cessation of a food or liquid bolus passing through the esophagus
nervous structure of the esophagus
Myenteric plexus
Oropharyngeal dysphagia presentation
8 listed
- Difficulty initiating swallow
- Double swallowing
- Drooling
- Cough, choking sensation “Can’t breathe”
- Nasal regurgitation
- Aspiration -> Pneumonia
- Dysarthria and voice changes/weakness
- Localization in throat or high neck
Categories of causes of Esophageal dysphagia
Structural
motility
Structural causes of Esophageal dysphagia
7 listed
Benign stricture
GERD
Eosinophilic esophagitis
Infectious esophagitis
Foreign bodies
Extrinsic compression
Esophageal CA
Motility causes of Esophageal dysphagia
5 listed
- Achalasia disorders
- Scleroderma
- Esophageal spastic disorders
- Chagas disease
- Non-relaxing lower esophageal sphincter
Presentation of Esophageal dysphagia
4 listed
- Food sticking retrosternally
- Regurgitation or vomiting
- Chest pain
- Localization at sternal notch or below
Associated symptoms of dysphagia
6 listed
- Slow eating
- careful eating
- Sips of beverage with solid food bolus
- Walking around while eating
- Avoiding restaurants and social meals
- Restricted diet
Causes of sudden mechanical Dysphagia
- Foreign body
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
Causes of intermittent mechanical Dysphagia
- Schatzki’s ring (reflux driven obstruction)
- Webs (fibrous strands)
- Ext. Compression (Mass or vascular structure)
Causes of progressive mechanical Dysphagia < 50 years old
- Heartburn
- GERD Stricture
- Caustic, med-induced, radiation
Causes of progressive mechanical Dysphagia > 50 years old
Carcinoma
Overview of historical causes of mechanical obstruction dysphagia
Causes of recent neuromuscular or infectious dysphagia
- Immunosuppression
- Antibiotics
- HIV infection
- Candida
- CMV
Causes of intermittent neuromuscular or infectious dysphagia
Chest pain?
Motility disorder
Causes of progressive neuromuscular or infectious dysphagia
- Achalasia
- Scleroderma
Overview of historical causes of neuromuscular or infectious dysphagia
Physical exam for dysphagia
Types of tests for dysphagia
- Barium swallow
- Endoscopy
Barium swallow capabilities for dysphagia
Endoscopy capabilities for dysphagia
Describe diffuse esophageal spasm via barium swallow
spastic “Corkscrew appearance”
Describe eosinophilc esophagitis via barium swallow
corrugated appearance from furrows that form from the scarring from eosinophilic infiltration
What is depicted by barium swallow?
Diffuse Esophageal Spasm
What is depicted by barium swallow?
Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Describe esophagitis via endoscopy
breaks in mucosa (represents esophageal injury