Management of patients with swallowing difficulty and pain

Topics Anatomy of the esophagus. Definitions. Causes of Dysphagia. Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Achalasia. Hiatus Hernia. Esophageal tumors.

Anatomy of the esophagus It is an epithelial lined muscular tube, 25cm long, and extends from the level of C6 to T11. Has 3 portions: Cervical Thoracic. Abdominal. It’s muscular coat has 2 layers: Outer longitudinal. Inner circular. The upper 1/3 is composed of striated muscle, while the lower 2/3 is composed of smooth m.

Cont. It is lined by keratinized squamous epithelium which changes to columnar epithelium 2cm above the gastro-esophageal junction. It has 2 sphincters: The upper esophageal sphincter. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Anatomical areas of narrowing are: At the level of cricoid cartilage. In the mid-thorax, from compression by the aortic arch and left main stem bronchus. At the level of the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm.

Definitions Dysphagia: Odynophagia: Difficulty in swallowing. Painful swallowing.

Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Background Gastro-esophageal reflux is a normal phenomenon experienced intermittently by most people. GERD occurs when the amount of gastric juice exceeds the normal limit with or without esophageal mucosal injury (esophagitis).

pathophysiology Factors that prevent gastric juice reflux into the esophagus: LES (normal length and pressure). Gastro-esophageal junction must lie intra-abdominally. The angle at which the esophagus joins the stomach (angle of His). Esophageal clearance must be able to neutralize the acid refluxed from the stomach. The stomach must empty properly. Contraction of the crural muscle of the diaphragm (pinchcock-like action).

Cont. GERD develops due to one or more of the fallowing: Functional (frequent transient LES relaxation) or mechanical (hypotensive LES) problem of the LES, (most common). Certain foods (eg, coffee, alcohol), medications (eg, calcium channel blockers, nitrates, beta-blockers), or hormones (eg, progesterone) can decrease the pressure of the LES. Reduced esophageal clearance of acid because of poor esophageal peristalsis. Obesity and pregnancy (increased intra-abdominal pressure). Hiatus hernia (impairment of the pinchcock-like action of the diaphragm). Delayed gastric emptying.

Epidemiology 7% of the general population have heartburn, and 20-30% of them have GERD. No sexual preference. Affects all age groups.

Clinical features Heartburn is the major feature, retrosternal, burning pain, radiating to the epigastrium, aggravated by bending and lying down, and relieved by antacids. Regurgitation of food and acid into the mouth. Waterbrash (salivation). Dysphagia (stricture, or non-specific motility disorder). Respiratory symptoms: cough , nocturnal asthma, pneumonia. Clinical examination is usually normal.

DDx MI. Peptic ulcer disease. Cholecystitis. Esophageal cancer.

Investigation GERD is a clinical Dx. Patients under 45y without alarm symptoms should be treated initially without investigations. Investigations include: Barium swallow (ulceration, stricture, hiatus hernia) Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Identifies the presence and severity of esophagitis. Excludes other diseases as peptic ulcer disease. Esophageal monometry (function of LES and esoph. Body) Ambulatory 24hr pH monitoring (gold standard).

Cont. Lifestyle modifications includes: Losing weight (if overweight). Avoiding alcohol, chocolate, citrus juice. Avoiding large meals. Waiting after a meal before lying down. Elevation of the head of the bed.

Cont. Medical treatment with: Antacids. H2 receptor blockers. Proton pump inhibitors. Prokinetic agents.

Cont. Surgical treatment: Indications: Fundoplication (most commonly Nissen fundoplication). Indications: If symptoms cannot be controlled by medical therapy. The presence of Barrett’s esophagus. The presence of extra-esophageal manifestation of GERD (respiratory, ENT, dental).

Cont. It is performed under GA and the fundus of the stomach is wrapped around the esophagus to create a new valve at the level of the gastro-esophageal junction.

Complications Esophagitis: Barrett’s esophagus: 50%,, M:F is 2-3:1. Barrett’s esophagus: It is columnar metaplasia of the lower esophagus which extends at least 3cm above the GE junction. M:F is 10:1. Most serious and may progress into cancer. Respiratory complications: Include pneumonia, asthma, and lung fibrosis.

Achalasia

Definition Is a primary oesophageal motility disorder characterised by failure of LES to relax and the absence of peristalsis .

pathophysiology

incidence:1/100,000 per year in US No sex difference Typically 25-60 years Cause:unkown but one theory suggest degenerative changes in the vagal nerve

C/F Dysphagia (gradual) Regurgitation Chest pain Weight loss Stomach cancer

diagnosis Barium swallow: the esop. Appears dilated and contrast pass slowly into the stomach. the distal esoph. Is narrowed resembling bird beak. Manometry: High LES pressure Absent peristalsis Failure of LES to relax Endoscopy: Dilated esop. With food residue

treatment Drug therapy: Pneumatic dilation: Smooth muscle relaxant (nitrate ,calcium channel blocker,,anticholinergic)) 10% of pts. Benefit from this treatment (elderly) Pneumatic dilation: A balloon is insuflatted at the level of the G.O junction to rupture the muscle fibre Success rate 70_80% 50% will require more than 1 dilation.

Cont. Surgery: Used when the dilation fails Heller’s Myotomy(open or laparoscopic) Done by making division of the muscle fibre of the lower esoph. And proximal stomach followed by partial fundiplication to prevent reflux(10%) Relieve symptoms in 85 _95% of pts. If surgery fails →dilation2nd operation ---esophagectomy

Hiatus Hernia

Def: it is an abnormal protrusion of the stomach through esoph Def: it is an abnormal protrusion of the stomach through esoph. Diphramatic hiatus into the thorax. Caused by weakness mucsles around the hiatus. More common in females ,obes ,middle aged and elderly.

types Type I: sliding hiatus hernia(90%) Type II: paraesophageal hiatus hernia(10%) Type III: combination of both (rare)

Sliding hiatus hernia Occurs when the stomach slides through the diaphragmatic hiatus and the G .O . Junction lies within the chest.

C/f Asymptomatic Heart burn and regurgitation: the most common, due to incompetent LES, aggrivated by bending or lying down and relieved by antacid Dysphagia Large herniation may cause cough, palpitation or hiccups by mechanical effect

investigation Upper GI endoscope Barium swallow

Complication: Refluxesophagitisbarret’s esophagus-ca Treatment: Same as GERD

Paraesophageal hiatus hernia Here the G.O. junction lies in its position but the fundus of the stomach has herniated through diaphragmatic hiatus.

C/F Usually not associated with reflux Dysphagia Epigastric and lower chest pain Palpitation Hiccups Quick fullness and chest compression after eating

Investigation: Complication: Chest x-ray confirmed by barium swallow. Obstruction Volvulus Strangulation Acute or chronic bleeding perforation

Treatment Surgical: Operative reduction of the stomach, approximation of the diaphragmatic defect around the hiatus Fundoplication frequently added to reduce the hernaition recurrence and to prevent GE reflux