Esophageal Disorders

Esophagitis

Irritation and/or inflammation of the esophagus

Symptoms include: burning chest pain, difficulty swallowing

Dx: Endoscopy

Fantastic chart in PPP with regards to infectious esophagitis and the buzzwords to look for!!

Gastro-esophageal Reflux (GERD)

**Decreased lower eophageal sphincter tone**

Burning chest pain

**Cough at night** because you are laying flat and stomach acid is allowed to come up esophagus

Dx: Endoscopy with biopsy

Complications: BARRETTS ESOPHAGUS

Mallory Weis Tear and Boerhaave Syndrome

Mallory Weis Tear

Microtears located in the esophagus or gastro-esophageal junction

Caused by continuous retching 

90% of cases will resolve spontaneously without treatment

Boerhaave Syndrome

Esophageal perforation

Symptoms include pain, shock, air in mediastinum, tachypnea

***Hammans Crunch when listening to heart sounds***

Esophageal Motility Disorders

Achalasia

Dysphagia with “food getting stuck”

Barium swallow reveals **BIRD BEAK APPEARANCE**

Manometry = definitive diagnosis measuring pressure

Esophageal Spasms

Dysphagia

KEEP IN DIFFERENTIAL FOR CHEST PAIN

Barium swallow reveals **CORKSCREW ESOPHAGUS**

Hiatal Hernia

Part of the stomach herniates through the lower esophageal sphincter 

Beware of complications like GERD, Barretts Esophagus, Aspiration

Esophageal Varices

MCC = Cirrhosis

Can cause massive upper GI bleed if perforated

Tx: ENDOSCOPIC LIGATION

For additional questions and explanations click below!

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