Achalasia of the Esophagus Quiz

Achalasia of the Esophagus and Related Conditions

• Achalasia of the esophagus is characterized by absence of peristalsis and LES spasm, resulting in failure of esophageal emptying.
• Radiographic signs of achalasia include uniform esophageal dilatation, tapered "beak" deformity at the LES, esophagitis findings, increased incidence of epiphrenic diverticula, and esophageal carcinoma.
• Esophageal perforation is often caused by esophageal instrumentation during procedures such as endoscopy, dilation of esophageal stricture, foreign body removal, or esophageal endoprosthesis application.
• Esophagitis, commonly caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a prevalent condition with various causes.
• Upper endoscopy, also known as esophagus-gastric-duodenoscopy (EGD), allows visualization of the esophageal lining using a flexible endoscope while the patient is sedated.
• Typical endoscopic findings of esophagitis include circular rings, linear furrows, whitish papules, and strictures.
• Biopsy involves the removal of a small esophageal tissue sample for microscopic examination.
• Barium X-ray imaging captures esophageal conditions after the patient ingests a barium solution, revealing ulceration, erosions, longitudinal fold thickening, and peptic stricture formation in moderate to severe reflux esophagitis.