Items tagged “oesophagus”

Achalasia (primary achalasia) is a failure of organized esophageal peristalsis causing impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, and resulting in food stasis and often marked dilatation of the esophagus.  Obstruction of the distal esophagus from other non-functional etiologies, not...

Epidermolysis bullosa refers to a rare group of genetically determined conditions characterized by blistering of the skin. This can be limited to the soles and palms or extensive whole body involvement. Mutations in more than 20 different genes have been reported that contribute to the disease's...

Feline esophagus also known as esophageal shiver, refers to the transient transverse bands seen in the mid and lower esophagus on a double-contrast barium swallow. Pathology The appearance is almost always associated with active gastro-esophageal reflux 2,3 and is thought to be due to contract...

Esophageal webs refer to an esophageal constriction caused by a thin mucosal membrane projecting into the lumen. Epidemiology Esophageal webs tend to affect middle-aged females. Clinical presentation Patients are usually asymptomatic and the finding may be incidental and unimportant. However...

Esophageal carcinoma is relatively uncommon. It tends to present with increasing dysphagia, initially to solids and progressing to liquids as the tumor increases in size, obstructing the lumen of the esophagus. Epidemiology Esophageal cancer is responsible for <1% of all cancers and 4-10% of a...

Esophageal and esophagogastric junction squamous cell carcinoma staging refers to TNM staging of squamous cell carcinoma originating in the esophagus or esophagogastric junction (including tumors whose center is within the proximal 2 cm of the gastric cardia). Related histologies included in th...

Esophageal stricture refers to any persistent intrinsic narrowing of the esophagus.  Terminology The term peptic stricture refers specifically to those benign esophageal strictures caused by chronic acid reflux, although some - incorrectly - use it more loosely to refer to any benign esophagea...

The gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) (also known as the esophagogastric junction) is the part of the gastrointestinal tract where the esophagus and stomach are joined. Gross anatomy The GEJ is normally mostly intra-abdominal and is 3-4 cm in length. To some extent, the esophagus slides in and ...

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), often shortened to reflux disease, is a spectrum of disease that occurs when gastric acid refluxes from the stomach into the lower end of the esophagus across the lower esophageal sphincter. Epidemiology It affects 10% to 20% of the adult population in ...

A Schatzki ring, also called a Schatzki-Gary ring, is a symptomatic, narrow esophageal B-ring occurring in the distal esophagus and usually associated with a hiatus hernia.  Epidemiology Relatively common, lower esophageal rings are found in ~6-14% of oesophagrams 9.  Associations More than ...

Congenital tracheo-esophageal fistula is a congenital pathological communication between the trachea and esophagus.   Epidemiology Tracheo-esophageal fistula and esophageal atresia have a combined incidence of approximately 1 in 3500 live births 1-3,5. There is only a minimal hereditary/geneti...