Gastrointestinal Flashcards
(122 cards)
What is a tracheoesophageal fistula? How does it present? What is the most common variant?
A congenital defect resulting in an abnormal connection between the esophagus and trachea
Presents with vomiting, polyhydramnios, abdominal distention and aspiration
The most common variant consists of proximal esophageal atresia with the distal esophagus arising from the trachea
What is an esophageal web? How does it present?
Thin protrusion of esophageal mucosa most often in the upper esophagus
Presents with dysphagia for poorly chewed food
What protrudes in an esophageal web? What is there an increased risk for?
The esophageal mucosa
Increased risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
What is Plummer-Vinson syndrome?
Characterized by severe iron deficiency anemia, esophageal web, and beefy-red tongue due to atrophic glossitis (atrophy of the mucosa and exposed blood vessels)
Also has an increased risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
What is a Zenker diverticulum? How does it present?
An outpouching of pharyngeal mucosa through an acquired defect in the muscular wall (false diverticulum - only protruded one part of the wall)
Presents with dysphagia, obstruction and halitosis (food gets trapped and rots)
Mallory-Weiss syndrome: what is it, what causes it, how does it present
Longitudinal laceration of mucosa at the gastroesophageal junction (GE)
Caused by severe vomiting, usually due to alcoholism or bulimia
Presents with painful hematemesis
Where do the following occur:
Mallory-Weiss syndrome
Plummer-Vinson syndrome
Zenker diverticulum
Mallory-Weiss syndrome: gastroesophageal junction (GE) (laceration of the mucosa)
Plummer-Vinson syndrome: esophagus (esophageal web)
Zenker diverticulum: pharynx (outpouching of pharyngeal mucosa)
Boerhaave syndrome
Rupture of the esophagus leading to air in the mediastinum and *subcutaneous emphysema (can push on skin on the neck and feel air bubbles). Seen with sever Mallory-Weiss syndrome.
Esophageal varices: what are they? what causes them? risk?
Dilated submucosal veins in the lower esophagus
Arise secondary to portal hypertension: distal esophageal vein normally drains into portal vein via the left gastric vein. In portal HTN, the left gastric vein backs up into the esophageal vein resulting in dilation (varices).
Asymptomatic but risk of rupture: presents w/ *painless hematemesis, most common cause of death in cirrhosis
What is the most common cause of death in cirrhosis? How does it present?
Rupture of esophageal varices
Presents with *painless hematemesis
Where does the esophageal vein normally drain? What is the significance of this?
The left gastric vein which drains to the portal vein
In portal HTN this gets backed up leading to esophageal varices
What is achalasia? What is it due to? Clinical features?
Meaning “without relaxation” it is disordered esophageal motility with inability to relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
Due to damaged ganglion cells in the myenteric plexus: can be idiopathic or secondary to a known insult (Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Chagas diease)
Clinical features: dysphagia for s/l, putrid breath (rotting food), *high LES pressure on esophageal manometry, ‘bird-beak’ sign on barium swallow study, increased risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Where are the ganglion cells of the myenteric plexus located? What is there function? What disorder are they associated with?
Between the inner circular and outer longitudinal layers of the muscular is propria
Important for regulating bowel motility and relaxing the LES
Damaged in Achalasia
‘Bird-beak’ sign on barium swallow study?
Achalasia
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): clinical features
Reflux of acid from the stomach due to reduced LES tone
Clinical features: heartburn, asthma (adult-onset) and cough, damage to enamel of teeth, ulceration with stricture and Barrett esophagus
Risk factors for GERD
OH, tobacco, obesity, fat-rich diet, caffeine, and *hiatal hernia
What is the most common type of hiatal hernia? What is another type?
Sliding (stomach into esophagus) - most common
Paraesophageal (stomach is next to esophagus)
What is Barrett esophagus?
Metaplasia of lower esophageal mucosa from stratified squamous epithelium to *nonciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells. Seen in 10% of patients w/ GERD - response of the lower esophagus stem cells to acidic stress
Is Barrett esophagus harmless?
No - is may progress to dysplasia and adenocarcinoma
What are the two types of esophageal carcinoma?
Adenocarcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus:
What is it?
Where is it most common?
How does it arise?
Malignant proliferation of glands
Most common type of esophageal carcinoma in the West
Arises from preexisting Barrett esophagus; usually involves the lower one-third* of the esophagus
Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: What is it? Where is it most common? Where does it arise? What are the major risk factors?
Malignant proliferation of squamous cells
Most common esophageal cancer worldwide
Usually arises in the upper or middle third of the esophagus
Major risk factors: OH, tobacco, very hot tea (Iran/China), achalasia (rotting food), esophageal web (Plummer-Vinson) esophageal injury (ex/ lye ingestion - hair straightening chemical)
Lymph node spread in esophageal cancer
Upper 1/3: cervical nodes
Middle 1/3: mediastinal or tracheobronchial nodes
Lower 1/3: celiac and gastric nodes
Presentation of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus
Progressive dysphagia, WL, pain and hematemesis
As well as, hoarse voice (recurrent laryngeal nerve involvement) and cough (tracheal involvement)