Gastrointestinal Flashcards
(127 cards)
Normal resting pressures of the LES, intra-thoracic cavity, and intra-abdominal cavity:
LES: 15 - 25 mmHg
Intra-thoracic: -5 mmHg
Intra-abdominal: 5 mmHg
Which is MC mechanisms with severe esophagitis: weak LES or transient relaxation?
Transient relaxation
Typical characteristics of GERD:
Heartburn, post-prandial, worse when horizontal, relieved by antacids, regurgitation, dysphagia, globus sensation
Atypical characteristics of GERD:
Chest pain, pulmonary sx (asthma/cough/bronchitis/aspiration pneumonia), ENT (laryngitis, hoarseness, sore throat)
GERD alarm symptoms:
Dysphagia/odynophagia, anemia, weight loss, blood in stool
Possible complications of GERD:
Ulceration, stricture, hemorrhage, Barrett’s esophagus
Test used to evaluate GERD that observes mucosal damage
Endoscopy
Test used to evaluate GERD that focuses on dysphagia
Barium esophagram
Test used to evaluate GERD where reflux is documented and correlated with symptoms
24 hour pH monitoring
Test used to evaluate GERD that focuses on LES pressure and peristalsis
Esophageal manometry
Differential diagnosis when patient with GERD comes in with CP:
CAD, biliary, peptic, esophageal motor disorders, esophagitis, pancreatic dz, malignancy, functional
Lifestyle modifications when treating GERD:
Elevate head while sleeping, weight management, eliminate tobacco/alcohol/late night eating/fatty foods/chocolate/peppermint
For GERD considerations, some drugs that decrease LES pressure:
Progesterone, theophylline, anticholinergics, B-agonists, a-agonists, diazepam, meperidine, Ca channel blockers
For GERD considerations, some drugs that may cause pill-induced esophageal injury:
Tetracycline/doxycycline, quinidine, KCl, Iron salts, NSAIDs
When does a patient with GERD become a surgical candidate?
When they don’t respond to medical therapy well, if they don’t want to be on long-term tx, they’re non-compliant with meds, they have high grade esophagitis, or a large hiatal hernia
Three etiologies of esophageal related chest pain:
GERD
Motility disorder
Hypersensitive esophagus
Five types of esophageal motility disorders in decreasing prevalence:
Nutcracker esophagus Non-specific motility disorder Diffuse spasm Hypertensive LES Achalasia
Difference between oropharyngeal dysphagia and esophageal dysphagia:
Oropharyngeal is the inability to initiate a swallow whereas esophageal dysphagia is sensation of food getting stuck
Alarm symptoms with dysphagia include:
Weight loss
Nausea, vomiting, hematemesis
Tobacco and alcohol use
Family hx of GI malignancy
Some neurogenic or myogenic etiologies for dysphagia:
ALS CVA Mysasthenia gravis Parkinson Muscular dystrophy
Some structural disorders as etiologies for dysphagia:
Cervical ostophytes, cricoid web, zenker’s diverticulum, thyromegaly
Risk factors for esophageal cancer:
Alcohol/tobacco Nitrosamine Vitamin deficiencies Achalasia HPV GERD/Barrett's Obesity
Dysphagia as a result of an esophageal web or shatzki ring in association with iron deficiency is criteria for what syndrome?
Plummer Vinson
Painful dysphagia that is a result of uncoordinated esophageal contractions is termed _____ _____ ______ and is diagnosed with manometry
Diffuse esophageal spasm