Flashcards in Oesophageal disorders Deck (53)
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1
Define dyspepsia
Upper GI symptoms typically present for 4+ weeks, including: upper abdominal pain/discomfort, heartburn, acid reflux, NaV
2
Define GORD
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is a chronic condition of abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the oesophagus, which causes predominant symptoms of heartburn and acid regurgitation.
3
What is 'proven GORD'?
Endoscopically-determined reflux disease
4
How does GORD typically present?
Oesophageal symptoms:
Heartburn (25%) - burning retrosternal discomfort
Acid brash - acid or bile regurgitation
Water brash - excessive salivation
Odynophagia - pain on swallowing
5
Name 3 atypical clinical features of GORD
Extra-oesophageal symptoms (atypical):
Chest pain, epigastric pain, bloating
Nocturnal asthma
Chronic cough
Laryngitis (Cherry-Donner syndrome)
Sinusitis
6
Name 5 risk factors for GORD
Lifestyle: obesity, trigger foods, smoking, alcohol, coffee, stress
Drugs: CCBs, anticholinergics, theophylline, BDZs, nitrates
Pregnancy
7
What complications can occur due to GORD?
Oesophagitis
Ulcers
Benign strictures
Iron-deficiency anaemia
Barrett's oesophagus ➔ Oesophageal adenocarcinoma
8
What is Barrett's oesophagus?
A precancerous stage seen in 10-15% GORD, associated with the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (1-10% in next 20yr).
Metaplasia of oesophageal stratified squamous epithelium ➔ simple columnar epithelium
9
Name 3 causes of GORD
Lower oesophageal sphincter problems
Delayed gastric emptying e.g. gastric outlet obstruction
Hiatus hernia
Obesity/pregnancy
10
What may be seen on histology of GORD?
Gastric metaplasia ➔ low risk of malignancy
Intestinal metaplasia ➔ 2 yearly surveillance
Low-grade dysplasia ➔ 90% develop cancer within 6yr
High-grade dysplasia ➔ 50% have adenocarcinoma
11
What is used to grade Barrett's oesophagus?
Prague C and M endoscopic grading system
12
How is Barrett's oesophagus treated?
High-grade dysplasia: Surgical resection, endoscopic mucosal resection, or ablation
13
Name 3 differential diagnoses for GORD
Oesophagitis from:
Corrosives
NSAIDs
Herpes
Candida
Peptic ulcer disease
Cancer
Cardiac cause e.g. MI
14
Describe the pathology of strictures in GORD
Chronic fibrosis and epithelial destruction
Eventual shortening and narrowing of the lower oesophagus ➔ potential fixation and susceptibility to further reflux
15
What are the annual and lifetime recurrence risks of GORD? Which patient group is more likely to relapse?
Annual recurrence risk of untreated GORD: 50%
Lifetime risk of recurrence: 80%
More likely to relapse in people with severe oesophagitis
16
Name 4 indications for investigations for GORD
Age >45
Symptoms last >4wks
Persistent vomiting
GI bleeding or iron deficiency
Palpable mass
Dysphagia
Weight loss
Failed medical treatment
17
Why could OGD be preformed for any presentation of GORD in over 45s?
Exclude oesophageal malignancy
18
How is GORD investigated?
Endoscopy
24h continuous pH monitoring +- manometry
Barium swallow - may show hiatus hernia
19
Describe a positive pH investigation result for GORD
GORD symptoms correspond with pH peaks
20
What physiological features protect against GORD?
Lower oesophageal sphincter
Fundus located posteriorly and superiorly
Crus of diaphragm
Expansion of stomach
21
Outline the lifestyle management of GORD
Smoking cessation
Weight loss
Decrease alcohol consumption
Small regular meals
Avoid trigger foods
Sleep with head of bed raised
22
Outline the initial medical management of GORD
Review and stop any drugs that exacerbate symptoms
-Relax LOS: nitrates, anticholinergics, CCBs
-Damage mucosa: NSAIDs, K+ salts, bisphosphonates
Full-dose Omeprazole or Lansoprazole for 4 weeks
If severe oesophagitis ➔ 8 weeks
23
How should refractory or recurrent GORD be medically managed?
Consider alternative diagnosis
Check patient adherence to initial management
Reinforce lifestyle advice
Further 4wks of PPI at full-dose or double-dose, or
Add H2R antagonist at bedtime
If severe ➔ 8wk PPI
Offer full-dose PPI long-term as maintenance treatment
Switch to H2RA if endoscopy-negative reflux
24
What are the surgical indications for GORD?
Refractory to treatment, persistent, or unexplained
Controlled on PPI/H2RA, but does not want long-term or cannot tolerate treatment
Associated with risk factors for Barrett's oesophagus
Large volume reflux with risk of aspiration pneumonia
Complications: stricture and severe ulceration
25
Outline the surgical management of GORD
Laparoscopic 'Nissen' fundoplication: wrapping the fundus around the lower oesophagus
26
Name and differentiate between the types of hiatus hernias
Sliding hiatus hernia (80%): Gastro-oesophageal junction slides up into the chest. Gross acid reflux is commoner.
Rolling hiatus hernia (20%): Gastro-oesophageal junction remains in chest, but a bulge of the stomach herniates into the chest, alongside the oesophagus. Symptoms include hiccough, 'pressure' in chest, odynophagia.
27
Outline the medical management of hiatus hernias
Weight loss
Symptomatic relief with H2RAs
PPIs
Metoclopramide - promote oesophageal and gastric emptying
28
What investigations are used for suspected hiatus hernia?
Barium swallow*
Upper GI endoscopy - exclude oesophageal mucosal pathology
CT thorax - acute presentation
29
Define hiatus hernia
Presence of part or all of the stomach within the thoracic cavity. Usually by protrusion through the oesophageal hiatus in the diaphragm.
30
